General
Information
The
Galapagos Islands are located on the Equator, 600
miles off the west coast and part of Ecuador. Visitors
will experience unique encounters with prolific
wildlife both topside and underwater. The waters
surrounding the islands become the meeting point
of three distinctive oceanic currents which result
in a bizarre mix of warm and cold water species.
Sharks, sea lions and turtles can be seen on nearly
every dive. Topside, you'll see flamingos, penguins,
giant tortoises, sea lions, blue footed boobies,
iguanas, and a whole lot more. Many of these animals
are unique to the islands, found no where else in
the world. Most remain unafraid of human visitors;
making for incredible photo opportunities.
Dive sites are usually not located adjacent to the
main islands. The most exciting diving is found
around smaller, isolated rock pinnacles which rise
abruptly from the water's surface. These rock croppings
act like a magnet to attract a wide variety of marine
life. All dive sites are accessed by means of a
short ride by inflatable boat. Vertical walls, ledges,
shelves, submerged boulders, and sand chutes are
all part of the underwater topography. Hammerheads,
Galapagos, and reef sharks are sighted daily. Dolphin,
Orcas, and other whale species are often spotted
from the boat. In shallow areas, divers can delight
in the playful antics of the sea lions.
MARINE
RESERVE
After
several attempts to protect the surrounding waters,
in March 13, 1996, the Galapagos Marine Reserve
was declared with 70.000 square Km. and 1.400 Km
of coast.
In
1990 shark fishing was prohibited
In 1992 the Galapagos was declared a "Whale's
Sanctuary".
In 1985 United Nations declared the Galapagos a
"Reserve of the Biosphere"
In 1989 CEDAM Intl. Declared the Galapagos islands
"One of the seven underwater wonders of the
world"
In 2001 The islands were declared "Natural
Heritage"
DIVING
CONDITIONS AT THE GALAPAGOS
Galapagos
Islands scuba diving isn´t necessarily for
real beginner divers. We recommend it for mid-level
to advanced divers, especially for certain areas.
Dive shops will advise you on the conditions at
that time and can suggest less strenuous itineraries
for beginners. Diving conditions at the Galapagos
are considered medium to hard due to the currents,
depth and shape of the dive sites, temperatures
and fauna. However, for those of you who want to
get your PADI certificate, there's no better place
than the Galapagos. Even in the waters near the
islands, will give you the chance to swim with sea
lions, watch mantas, look out for flounders, colorful
fish, and perhaps even dodge the hungry nibbles
of a Blue Footed Booby, diving for its mid-morning
snack.
GALAPAGOS
TEMPERATURES The range of surface temperature of
the sea is from 18ºC to 30ºC. September
to November are the coldest months, and February
to April the warmest. Thermoclines are present,
between 10 to 30 meters depth ( 30 to 100 feet)
and the temperature can drop from one to five degrees
Celsius. Galapagos Islands scuba diving shops will
supply divers with wet suits and appropriate gear
for the temperatures.
CURRENTS You will probably dive in the Galápagos
in medium to strong currents. We understand medium
currents to be between one and three knots (between
1 and 4 miles/hour or between 2 and 6 Km./hour),
and strong currents are more than three knots (more
than 4 miles/hour or 6 Km./hour).
Galapagos diving can be tricky if you are caught
in an unexpected current on the surface. Just relax,
get positive bouyancy and call the boat. If you
are in a group, get close together. In the garúa
season (from July to December) the Humboldt current
coming from the southeast is present. In the warm
season ( from January to June) the Panamá
current from the northeast arrives in the Galápagos.
GALAPAGOS
VISIBILITY couldn't be better! 100 feet or 30 meters
often is present in the Galápagos waters.
You shall expect a visibility from 50 to 80 feet
or 15 to 25 meters in most of the places. In some
areas and in some seasons due to the richness of
phytoplankton, green waters are present. This planktonic
algae is the first step in the trophic chain and
is necessary to sustain all marine life at the islands.
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Getting
There
There are two airlines that fly to the islands, AEROGAL
and TAME.
FLIGHTS TO BALTRA, GALAPAGOS (SANTA CRUZ, OR PUERTO
AYORA)
Airline:
TAME MONDAY TO SUNDAY, EVERYDAY
QUITO
- BALTRA FLIGHT 191, EVERYDAY
Quito
- 7:30 | Baltra (GPS) - 9:30
QUITO
- BALTRA FLIGHT 193, EVERYDAY
Quito - 9:30 | Baltra (GPS) - 11:30
BALTRA - QUITO , FLIGHT 190, EVERYDAY
Baltra (GPS) - 10:15 | Quito - 14:45
BALTRA
- QUITO , FLIGHT 192, EVERYDAY
Baltra
(GPS) - 12:15 | Quito - 16:15
Vuelo
190 (Viernes) opera via San Cristobal
GUAYAQUIL
- BALTRA, FLIGHT 191, EVERYDAY
Guayaquil 09:00 | Baltra (GPS) - 09:30
GUAYAQUIL
- BALTRA, FLIGHT 193, EVERYDAY
Guayaquil 11:00 | Baltra (GPS) - 11:30
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL
, FLIGHT 190,
Baltra
(GPS) - 10:15 | Guayaquil - 12:45
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL
, FLIGHT 192, EVERYDAY
Baltra
(GPS) - 12:15 | Guayaquil - 14:45
Airline:
AEROGAL TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY B-727
QUITO
-GUAYAQUIL-BALTRA
Quito - 8:15 | Guayaquil - 09:00
Guayaquil - 09:30 | Baltra (GPS) - 10:10
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL-QUITO
Baltra (GPS) - 10:40 | Guayaquil - 13:20
Guayaquil - 13:55 | Quito - 14:40
Airline:
AEROGAL SUNDAY B-737
QUITO
-GUAYAQUIL-BALTRA
Quito - 8:45 | Guayaquil - 09:30
Guayaquil - 10:15 | Baltra (GPS) - 10:55
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL-QUITO
,
Baltra (GPS) - 11:40 | Guayaquil - 14:20
Guayaquil - 15:30 | Quito - 16:15
FLIGHTS
TO SAN CRISTOBAL (PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO)
Airline:
TAME MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY
QUITO
- SAN CRISTOBAL FLIGHT 191 FRIDAY
Quito
- 07:30 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:45
QUITO
- SAN CRISTOBAL FLIGHT 195 WEDNESDAY
Quito
- 10:00 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 12:00
SAN
CRISTOBAL - QUITO , FLIGHT 190 FRIDAY
San
Cristobal (GPS) - 11:30 | Quito - 15:30
SAN
CRISTOBAL - QUITO FLIGHT 194 WEDNESDAY
San
Cristobal (GPS) - 12:45 | Quito - 16:45
GUAYAQUIL-SAN
CRISTOBAL , FLIGHT 195 WEDNESDAY
Guayaquil
- 11:30 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 12:00
GUAYAQUIL-SAN
CRISTOBAL , FLIGHT 191 FRIDAY
Guayaquil
- 09:00 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:45
SAN
CRISTOBAL - GUAYAQUIL, FLIGHT 194 WEDNESDAY
San
Cristobal (GPS) - 12:45 | Guayaquil - 15:15
SAN
CRISTOBAL - GUAYAQUIL, FLIGHT 190 FRIDAY
San
Cristobal (GPS) - 11:30 | Guayaquil - 14:00
Â
Airline: AEROGAL MONDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY B-727
QUITO
-GUAYAQUIL-SCY
Quito - 8:15 | Guayaquil - 09:00
Guayaquil - 09:30 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:10
SCY-GUAYAQUIL-QUITO
San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:40 | Guayaquil - 13:20
Guayaquil - 13:55 | Quito - 14:40
PRICES:
PASSENGERS:
Adults.
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 390 US$ per
person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 345
US$ per person.
PASSENGERS: Child (12 Years).
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 198 US$ per
person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 175
US$ per person.
LOW
SEASON PRICES : MAY 01 TO JUNE 14 AND SEPT 15 TO OCT
30:
PASSENGERS: Adults.
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 334 US$ per
person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 300
US$ per person.
PASSENGERS: Child (12 Years).
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 170 US$ per
person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 153
US$ per person.
20 Kg. per passenger
Travel Tips
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least
six months before arriving in Ecuador. They must also
have a return ticket to their country of origin or
to another destination. Citizens of the following
countries require a visa to enter Ecuador: Algeria,
Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, India,
Iran, Iraq, Jordan, North and South Korea , Lebanon,
Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan,
Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, and Yemen. To enter the country,
visitors must fill in an international embarkation
–disembarkation form. It is important to keep
it with your passport. Travelers should have their
passports with them during their stay in Ecuador to
avoid problems with the authorities who may want to
see it. A copy is not acceptable. Those who wish to
stay in the country longer than 90 days have to fill
out the corresponding paperwork in an Ecuadorian Consulate.
If the traveler enters Ecuador as a tourist it is
not possible to change visa status while they are
in the country.
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