The variety and colour of the fish and other marine animals in the rich sea surrounding the Galapagos makes spectacular diving even without the big creatures.A chance to encounter the whole spectrum of big marine creatures is just one of the attractions of diving in the Galapagos. It is very rare that you dive without a few adolescent sea lions joining in the fun.
When you book a trip to the Galapagos, make sure the northern islands of Wolf and Darwin are on the boat’s itinerary. These are the home of enormous shoals of scalloped hammerhead sharks. Darwin Island is also a good location to see whale sharks.
The variety and colour of the fish and other marine animals in the rich sea surrounding the Galapagos makes spectacular diving even without the big creatures.
It was the bright red colour that originally attracted my attention to this starfish. I couldn't work out why it was in such an unusual bridged position. Then I realised it was lifting itself into the current to release streams of spawn. (Awarded “highly commended” in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, 1998.)
An animal unique to the Galapagos is the marine iguana. You are unlikely to spot these pre-historic creatures when diving - they stick to the shallows and munch algae, but you can walk along the shore and see them basking on the rocks or snorkel in the shallows with them.
A trip to the Galapagos is not just about marine life. It would be a crime to go there and not see some of the unique land life. Take a trip to the hills and see giant tortoises in the wild, like this one taking a bath and having a snack in a pond.
The Galapagos are famous for being the inspiration behind Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. Darwin was fascinated by the life above water in the Galapagos. I can only wonder at what Darwin would have thought if he had been a diver.