Galapagos Islands Travel Notes 7 – Underwater Explorations (Santa Fe Island)

We met again early in the morning in front of the agency and walked to the pier. This time, we were heading south on a smaller boat. Our destination was Santa Fe Island. To be honest, after yesterday’s experiences, I wasn’t expecting much from today. I just hoped to spot a few more fish and wrap up my underwater exploration of the Galapagos Islands. As soon as we boarded, the boat pulled away from the dock, bound for Santa Fe Island.

Watch my full Galapagos underwater adventure on YouTube; from playful sea lions to graceful sea turtles, all captured while snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Watch now.

After a two-hour boat ride to Santa Fe Island, I was feeling tired. The ocean was a bit rough this time, and since the boat was small, the waves made the ride quite bumpy.

Our boat gently anchored by the rocky shores of the island. The cliffs were full of ocean birds that had made their home here. According to our guide, this area is a favorite breeding and feeding ground for many different species of fish. The richness of marine life here makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling. Excited, we strapped on our snorkels and slipped into the clear, inviting waters without hesitation.

As soon as we dove in, we were surrounded by a dazzling variety of colorful fish. Some swam alone through the blue, while others stayed in shimmering schools, moving together like one vibrant, living organism. I was swimming alongside them, trying to reach out and gently touch a few, all while attempting to capture their beauty with my camera. Taking a deep breath at the surface and diving down into the middle of the school was probably the most thrilling part.

Just as everyone was fully immersed in the experience, enjoying every moment in the water, we were told that our hour was up. We climbed back onto the boat and started drying off when it slowly began to head toward our second dive spot.

Our second dive spot was called Barrington Bay, a breathtaking cove known for its turquoise waters and playful sea lions. With its powdery white sand and crystal-clear sea, it was easily one of the most stunning places on the island.

Barrington Bay was teeming with sea lions. The rocky areas of the bay, in particular, were the best places to spot them up close. Knowing this, we made sure to swim parallel to the rocky shoreline during our dive, hoping to catch a glimpse of these curious and charismatic creatures.

Then the first sea lion revealed itself. It looked at us with curious eyes, observing us closely. It probably wasn’t seeing humans for the first time, surely it had encountered countless visitors before. After a few seconds of curious inspection, it seemed to decide we weren’t a threat and continued swimming quickly around us. As time passed, the number of sea lions around us kept increasing. By then, they had grown used to us, and we to them. It didn’t even feel like swimming anymore, it felt like we were playing together.

Before the dive, our guide explained that sea lions live in groups and that each group has a leader. He mentioned that the leader, usually larger than the others, might swim between us as a precaution if he spotted us, and advised us to keep our distance if we saw him. Just as he predicted, a large sea lion soon began gliding among us. Every so often, he would circle around, as if to say, “Don’t get too close.” We got the message and respectfully moved a little farther away each time he appeared.

About an hour later, a voice called out to us from the boat, signaling that it was time to return. We knew our time was up. After saying goodbye to the sea lions, we headed back to the boat. Swimming with them in their natural habitat, almost shoulder to shoulder, was an unforgettable experience. Every time I look back at the photos and videos from that day, I feel so grateful to have lived it.

What I saw during these two days in the Galapagos Islands was only a small glimpse of the islands’ incredible underwater world. Yet even in such a short time, the experiences I had became unforgettable memories.

If you ever find yourself in the Galapagos, make sure to explore the underwater treasures, whether by snorkeling or diving, it doesn’t matter. Either way, what you’ll see will stay with you for a lifetime.