8-Day Galapagos Island Hopping for Divers — Diving, Snorkeling & Wildlife
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
8 days
Fitness Level
Moderate to fit: days include multiple boat transfers, dives and short hikes; divers should be comfortable with repetitive exertion and surface swims.
Overview
Move between volcanic shores and blue channels on an eight-day, land-based island hop designed for divers and nature lovers — from tortoise farms to hammerhead encounters at Gordon Rocks. Practical diving notes and wildlife protocols included.
8-Day Galapagos Island Hopping for Divers — Diving, Snorkeling & Wildlife
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You step off the skiff and the air feels different: saline-bright, punctuated by the cry of a blue-footed booby and the low rumble of surf against black volcanic rock. Over eight days you will move between islands as if turning pages of the same wild book — Santa Cruz highlands where tortoises share pastures with cattle, the shallow lava canyons of Los Túneles crowded with turtles and rays, and open-ocean drop-offs that throw schools of hammerheads into relief.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring certification and logs for advanced sites
Gordon Rock requires advanced open-water certification and substantial logged dives — carry certification cards and logbook copies.
Use reef‑safe sunscreen only
The Galapagos enforces strict protections for marine ecosystems — non‑reef safe sunscreens can harm coral and are discouraged.
Pack a spare mask and anti‑fog
Boat transfers and multiple dives increase the chance of gear mishaps — a spare mask and anti‑fog keep you in the water.
Respect the 2‑metre wildlife rule
Animals are habituated but protected — stay at least 2 metres from wildlife and follow guide directions at all times.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Galapagos giant tortoise
- Galapagos sea lion
History
The islands played a pivotal role in the development of evolutionary theory after Charles Darwin’s 1835 visit; many visitor sites are designated to protect habitats Darwin first recorded.
Conservation
The archipelago is heavily regulated by Galapagos National Park — adhere to trail rules, use reef‑safe products, and support local operators who fund conservation and community projects.
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Adventure Hotspots in Puerto Ayora
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
3–5mm wetsuit (or 5mm for cooler season)
Keeps you warm during dives when temps drop to ~20°C and thermoclines appear.
winter specific
Dive computer and backup depth gauge
Necessary for multi‑dive days, variable depths and drift dives at sites like Gordon Rock.
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and the marine environment during surface intervals and snorkels.
summer specific
Waterproof camera or housing
Captures underwater life and the dramatic silhouettes at Kicker Rock and Los Túneles.