Meeting Sea Creatures While Scuba Diving In The Galapagos

Scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands is not for the faint of heart or for the uninitiated. If you want to learn how to dive, you are better off in Cancun or another mild locale. If you want adventure, go to the unique and absurdly beautiful Galapagos. While a challenging destination for divers, it is eminently worth it as you swim with a breathtaking array of animals. No where else in the world can you see penguins swimming while flamingos feast on mullet and sardines nearby. Underneath the sea is even more interesting as you delve into a world in which time has stopped and worlds come together.

Diving under the unpredictable waters of the Galapagos Islands is not for novices: the cold water, poor visibility, surges, depths, and currents combine to make this a demanding locale, but one that advanced divers should not miss. Another word of caution before we entice you with the wonderful sea creatures that roam this Pacific off the Galapagos: diving is regulated by the National Park, whose job it is to ensure the fragile ecosystem of the Islands is protected as much as possible from human interaction. Because of this, regulations may change unexpectedly. Always make sure that you know the latest diving rules for the areas which you wish to visit and make sure that you are properly certified and your diving guides have the proper permits.

If the difficulty presented hasn’t deterred you from visiting the Galapagos Islands and exploring the water, you are truly an intrepid traveler. And you will be rewarded. Off of Darwin and Wolf Islands, you will be able to swim with schools of hammerhead sharks. Don’t worry: these magnificent, primal-looking creatures feed on fish, not on divers. Nonetheless, it is a heart-pounding experience.

You will see agile dolphins, grand Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, and an incredible array of fish species, including Manta rays, eagle rays, tuna, Marlin, sunfish, Pacific seahorse, white-spotted rock sea bass, frogfish, and many more. Researchers have documented the presence of an astonishing 444 species, 9.2 percent of which are only seen in the Galapagos.

The diversity does not end there: divers can also spot octopi, mollusks, crabs, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and Galapagos black coral. Don’t be fooled, though, the coral is yellow when in the water. It does dry to a black color, and is often used in jewelry – though that has led to overexploitation. The coral should not be touched: remember, it is a living creature and part of the delicate balance of the Islands.

Do not miss the Galapagos. There is nowhere else on earth where you will see such majesty, wonder, and beauty.

By: Enid Glasgow

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Enid Glasgow is a luxury travel writer.