MARINE RESERVE

After several attempts to protect the surrounding waters, in March 13, 1996, the Galapagos Marine Reserve was declared with 70.000 square Km. and 1.400 Km of coast.

In 1990 shark fishing was prohibited
In 1992 the Galapagos was declared a "Whale's Sanctuary".
In 1985 United Nations declared the Galapagos a "Reserve of the Biosphere"
In 1989 CEDAM Intl. Declared the Galapagos "One of the seven underwater wonders of the world"
In 2001 was declared "Natural Heritage"

DIVING CONDITIONS AT THE GALAPAGOS

Diving conditions at the Galapagos are considered medium to hard due to the currents, depth and shape of the dive sites, temperatures and fauna.

TEMPERATURES The range of surface temperature of the sea is from 18ºC to 30ºC. September to November are the coldest months, and February to April the warmest. Thermoclines are present, between 10 to 30 meters depth ( 30 to 100 feet) and the temperature can drop from one to five degrees Celsius.

CURRENTS You will probably dive in the Galapagos in medium to strong currents. We understand s medium currents to be between one and three knots (between 1 and 4 miles/hour or between 2 and 6 Km./hour), and strong currents are more than three knots (more than 4 miles/hour or 6 Km./hour).
If you are caught in an unexpected current on the surface just relax, get positive bouyancy and call the boat. If you are in a group, get close together. In the garúa season (from July to December) the Humboldt current coming from the southeast is present. In the warm season ( from January to June) the Panama; current from the northeast arrives in the Galapagos.

VISIBILITY Visibility of 100 feet or 30 meters often is present in the Galapagos waters. You shall expect a visibility from 50 to 80 feet or 15 to 25 meters in most of the diving places. In some areas and in some seasons due to the richness of phytoplankton, green waters are present. This planktonic algae is the first step in the trophic chain and is necessary to sustain all marine life at the islands.

DRIFT DIVES Many dives in the Galapagos are drift dives. The group will enter and will be drifted down current. With medium currents, you should not wait more than a few seconds at the surface before descending, so you don´t drift from the group. During your dive the boat will follow the bubbles and will pick you up in the place you appear at the surface.
Safety stops are often made in blue waters, away from a wall or bottom. Keep with your buddy and the group.

DEEP DIVES More than 20 meters or 60 feet is considered a deep dive. We make the deep dive first in the morning. Consider the possible thermocline and expect temperatures to be cold, use sufficient thermal protection. Often dives in the Galápagos are deep and wall dives.

NIGHT DIVES You will enjoy diving in galapagos a shallow night dive with no drift. Your guide will select a safe place for the night dive with no current. Nocturnal crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, fish, and other different species are visible at night, and it is common to find fluorescence in the first six meters. One of the best dives can be a fluorescent night dive with turtles, fur seals and other animals which cam be seen with the lamp turned off.