AM: DARWIN: EL ARENAL
Darwin’s Arch is a hotspot where sharks, turtles, and mackerels gather at cleaning stations, benefiting from a symbiotic relationship with butterflyfish, barber fish, and angelfish. The sandy slope in front of the arch, called “El Arenal,” is the busiest area, perfect for spotting hammerhead sharks, Pacific green turtles, and the occasional hawksbill turtle, along with garden eels and starfish. Beyond, sloping terraces lead to a deep ravine with curved reef contours, offering excellent spots to watch hammerheads. Just 100 meters from Darwin’s Theatre, this area also provides opportunities to swim with whale sharks and enjoy the marine life carried by the current.

PM: WOLF: SHARK BAY POINT 18H00 – 22H00 DARWIN`S ARCH
Shark Bay, located on the coast of Wolf Island, is a shallower dive site compared to its surroundings but often considered the most remarkable. It’s teeming with sharks and features vibrant cleaning stations that highlight fascinating symbiotic interactions. Hawksbill turtles and critically endangered Pacific green turtles frequently visit these stations, where royal angelfish also tend to painted rays and hammerhead sharks. In the shallow waters, male hammerhead sharks are more likely to approach stationary divers, unlike females in open water. Their calm demeanor contrasts with the playful Galapagos fur seals, which eagerly seek interaction with divers.

AM: ISABELA: VICENTE ROCA POINT
Vicente Roca Point is situated at the mouth of the seahorse-shaped formation of Isabela Island, visible from space. As you enter a dark cave beneath a magnificent arch, the sounds of crashing waves reverberate through the air. Around the corner, the collapsed amphitheater of the Ecuador Volcano offers another stunning vista. The sheltered waters of the caves, protected from the ocean’s swell, are perfect for snorkeling with a variety of sharks, penguins, pufferfish, and even seahorses. It’s also common to spot sunfish here, and keep in mind that the waters tend to be colder, which is why penguins thrive in this area!

PM: FERNANDINA: CAPE DOUGLAS
Douglas Cape offers exceptional chances to witness a diverse array of marine life, both above and below the water’s surface. As you gear up for your dive, you might spot Galapagos penguins, cormorants, and marine iguanas, all unique to the islands. Additionally, we will seek out the fascinating marine iguanas swimming and feeding on the rocks beneath the water. Other marine creatures you could encounter include red-lipped batfish, horned dogfish, sunfish, and even the possibility of spotting whales!

AM: SANTIAGO: COUSIN’S ROCK
Cousin Rock, a symmetrical volcanic pyramid, emerges from the coastal waters of Santiago, about 5 km offshore. This rocky outcrop is a resting spot for wildlife like blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, Galapagos sea lions, and penguins, often visible during boat trips. Beneath the surface lies a vast underwater cone, home to a vibrant marine ecosystem accessible only to divers and snorkelers. The site offers two main dive spots: a thrilling wall dive in the northeast and a ridge surrounded by terraced walls on the opposite side. Dive depths range from 12-30 meters, with currents varying from medium to strong. Water temperatures span 20-26°C from January to May and 16-20°C from June to December. Visibility ranges from 12-30 meters, and the plankton-rich waters often attract diverse marine life, including larger animals.

PM: SANTA CRUZ: CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to tortoises ranging in size from 7.5 centimeters (hatchlings) to 1.2 meters in length. Different subspecies of tortoises interact with one another, and older individuals are accustomed to human presence, sometimes extending their necks to be gently touched. Hatchlings are kept at the station until they are four years old and strong enough to survive independently in their natural habitat.