The Galapagos Islands are located about 600 miles west of Ecuador, and are spread near the equator. Famed for its abundance of large pelagic species, the Galapagos are patrolled by hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, feisty penguins, and marine iguanas. We visited the islands in 2004 and brought back some great dive memories.

A dive trip to the Galapagos is recommended only for experienced divers. Identified as one of the world's ten most difficult (recreational) dive sites, the rewards are plentiful, but you'll need to work at it. The dive profiles are often simple, but strong currents and the low vis, colder water, and underwater surging they bring make for some challenging conditions. That said, diving the rocky islands is a great adventure. Where else can you see a reef shark, sea lion, and a cormorant all hunting at the same depth? Just imagine where science would be if Darwin had brought his own dive gear!

(click on photo to enlarge)