Galapagos Islands Travel Notes 6 – Underwater Exploration (North)

The Galapagos Islands captivate travelers with their breathtaking beauty, both above and below the surface. It’s no surprise that the waters of the Galapagos attract diving enthusiasts from around the world. Whether you’re an experienced diver with countless dives or simply a swimming enthusiast still finding your balance, the vibrant underwater world of the Galapagos promises to leave you in awe.

After reading this article, don’t forget to watch the video I filmed about the underwater wonders of the Galapagos Islands. Click here to watch.

I escaped the heat and took refuge in the cool hotel lobby. Exhausted from the sun and the busy days behind me, I decided to spend the day relaxing. As I reviewed my notes and browsed through the photos I’d taken so far in the Galapagos, I overheard the group sitting next to me talking about the islands’ underwater wonders. They described the experience as unforgettable and clearly expressed their amazement at what they had seen.

I remembered reading about the Galapagos’ rich marine life before my trip, and I couldn’t resist joining the conversation. I asked how they got there, what they saw, and how much the tour had cost. Lucky for me, they answered every question openly and in detail. I listened carefully and took notes. In just half an hour, I had gathered valuable firsthand insights into the islands’ underwater world.

Energized by the conversation, I went straight back to my room and started researching underwater activities online. Excitement bubbled up inside me as I kept replaying the words I’d just heard: ‘You should definitely see underwater.‘

While researching online, I discovered that to enjoy a memorable underwater experience in the Galapagos Islands, the first step is finding the right tour agency. You can get help both online and through your hotel. After using both resources to narrow down my options, I headed straight to the agency to make a reservation.

I was lucky; the agency was just a short walk from the hotel. After a quick introduction, we got straight to business. To help me find the perfect tour, the agent asked whether I preferred diving or snorkeling, which creatures I hoped to see, and how many days I had available. Based on my responses, we narrowed down the options. I carefully reviewed the details of each tour, including price, duration, destination, boat size, lunch, and diving equipment. Once I made my choice, I paid and left the agency feeling excited for the adventure ahead.

Let me take a quick break here to briefly explain the cost of daily tours. Prices typically range from $100 to $250, though the upper limit can be much higher depending on your preferences. When reviewing tour prices, be sure to ask whether the 12% tax is included in the quoted amount.

The next day, we met in front of the agency at 8:00 AM. That’s where I met the other participants who had booked the same tour. Together, we walked to the port and boarded our boat, a medium-sized vessel. (Tip: If you suffer from seasickness, it’s best to choose medium or large boats for diving or snorkeling tours in the Galapagos. Smaller boats can be challenging, especially on rough days.)

The boat slowly pulled away from the dock. The weather was sunny and warm, and the sea was a calm, deep blue. You could feel the excitement in the air as our tour began. As we cruised toward our first stop, we gazed out at the water and listened to the stories shared by our guide.

After a short journey, we arrived at our first stop of the day. Our guide explained that this was a resting area for whitetip sharks, and that if we snorkeled, we might see them resting on the seabed and in rocky areas. Since I don’t swim with sharks every day, this information frightened me a bit. After this conversation, some members of the group immediately started asking questions like, “Do sharks attack?” and “Have you ever experienced such a thing?”. Our guide assured us that this type of shark is not aggressive and that no attacks have occurred to date.

After taking all the necessary precautions, I slipped calmly into the water. About five minutes into the swim, I spotted my first shark, 10 to 15 meters away. It moved slowly along the bottom, and I watched it with a mix of fear and fascination. For a moment, time felt suspended. I thought to myself, “They are the hosts here, and we are merely guests.” I kept watching in silence until the shark slowly disappeared into the blue.

We continued swimming, watching with curious eyes. Then, suddenly, a sea turtle appeared. It was right in front of me, a creature I’d only ever seen in documentaries, magazines, or online. The sea turtle, like a shark, was swimming slowly through the water, acting like a host. We kept it company for a while. Surrounded by curious eyes, the turtle continued its calm course. Shortly after, it disappeared. Time flew by underwater. Our guide told us all that time was up and that we should all get back to the boat. We still had so much to see.

As soon as the boat arrived at the second dive site, we immediately made our preparations and immersed ourselves in the cool ocean waters. Our second dive site was rocky and had strong currents. It was also deeper and had a greater variety of fish than the first. So, as we swam, we enjoyed what we saw while also trying to be mindful of the current.

Shortly after entering the water, we were surrounded by colorful fish. Some were feeding on their own, while others were swimming up and down in groups. As we watched these fish, we suddenly encountered two sea lions. These two sea lions, very active and curious, kept a watchful eye on the visitors from the upper world. After swimming with us for a short while, they disappeared as quickly as they had arrived.

We were thrilled to see the sea lions; this brief encounter had already brought us so much joy. But the real surprise was yet to come. A stunning sight that no one, not even our guide, had anticipated. As we continued swimming, unaware of what was approaching, we noticed something large moving toward us. From a distance, it was impossible to tell what it was, but its sheer size began to unsettle us. After all, we were in the ocean, where anything could happen.

As these thoughts raced through my mind, we realized the visitor was a manta ray. It was nothing short of a miracle to come across such a magnificent creature, which only seemed to grow larger as it drew closer. I had never seen anything like it. The manta wasn’t swimming; it was gracefully fluttering through the water. I was utterly transfixed by its beauty. Watching it glide around us, its enormous fins gently flapping up and down, was a breathtaking experience. I lost track of time, but it felt as if the entire Galapagos trip had been leading up to this moment.

We returned to the boat, dried off, and set course for our final destination. Our third stop was a pristine beach where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Our guide explained that venturing further inland was forbidden to protect the nesting sites. The sand was soft beneath our feet, and the sea stretched out in stunning shades of turquoise; it felt like a true piece of paradise. We stayed for about half an hour. Though we didn’t see any sea turtles that day, the short break was a welcome relief for all of us. As the day came to a close, we began our journey back to shore.