Diving in Galapagos
The Oceanographic realm of the Galápagos is unique; the archipelago is situated at the crossroad of major oceanic currents, combining cold waters from the south (Peru Current), warm waters from the north (Panama Current); and deep, cold and nutrient rich waters from the west (The Cromwell Current). The mingling of these major oceanic currents has yielded a melting pot of flora and fauna from contrasting environments which partially explain the exceptional marine biodiversity we find today. The isolation of the archipelago allowed the independent evolution of the species that the currents transported up to a point where new species were born. Nearly 20% of marine life is endemic, found nowhere else on Earth. This level of endemism is quite unique for marine species which tend to migrate and intermingle to a much greater extent that their terrestrial counterparts.
These vital currents have helped the strangest Galápagos creatures like the cold water penguins to live at this latitude. Indeed, the Galápagos penguin in the northernmost penguin species in the world. Cold and fertile waters provide nourishing fields of green algae-richer here than anywhere else in the equator-to the Pacific green turtle, sustaining one of the richest concentrations of green turtle anywhere in the Pacific.
The Galápagos is one of few places on Earth where massive concentrations of pelagic species such as tunas, jacks, barracudas, hammerhead sharks can be seen close to shore. Galapagos Booking Travel runs daily tours from San Cristobal Island to Kicker Rock also known as Leon Dormido, Punta Pitt and Isla Lobos. We can also organise over night trips to dive off both Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands.
No other site in the world can offer the experience of diving which such a diversity of marine life forms that are so familiar with human beings.
