A full-day advanced dive trip to Gordon Rocks off Santa Cruz — strong currents, submerged pinnacles, and regular sightings of hammerhead sharks. Ideal for experienced divers seeking big-water drift dives inside the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the panga with salt on your lips and the ocean immediately makes itself known — a low, insistent pull at your fins as the boat slips over a submerged cone north-east of Santa Cruz. Visibility opens and closes like a curtain; pinnacles puncture the surface to create channels where currents gather and accelerate. This is Gordon Rocks, the place locals call "the washing machine."
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
7–8 hours
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and comfort in strong currents; ability to perform multiple dives in a day.
Wildlife
History
Gordon Rocks marks the remnant cone and northern rim of a volcanic caldera at Santa Cruz; its underwater pinnacles formed as lava and volcanic collapse reshaped the shoreline.
Conservation
The site sits inside the Galápagos Marine Reserve; follow strict no-touch, no-take rules and use operators that follow reserve permitting and waste-management practices.
Reserve your spot on the Daily diving tour in Gordon Rocks today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Confirm certification and experience
Gordon Rocks requires advanced open-water certification and drift-diving experience; bring proof of certification and recent logged dives.
Plan for strong currents
Expect fast drifts and variable surge—use a DSMB and practice controlled ascents with your guide.
Mitigate seasickness
Take antiemetic medication before boarding and hydrate; the boat ride and swell can be choppy.
Protect marine life
Do not touch or chase animals and avoid finning over coral; responsible buoyancy preserves this protected reserve.
Dive computer
Tracks depth and no-deco limits during variable, multi-level drift dives.
Delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB)
Essential for signaling your position during strong-current surface intervals.
Exposure suit (3mm–5mm or full suit)
Thermal protection and abrasion resistance—temperatures vary with currents.
spring
Reef-safe sunscreen and sun protection
Protects skin during surface intervals and reduces chemical impact on marine life.
summer