I Dive in te Galapagos Islands

Coral reefs, marine lions, golden lines, eagle rays, sting rays, spineless, eels gardeners, turtles, marine iguanas, sharks, hammer sharks, whales, whale sharks, fish pelagic and many more are part of the marine horizon in the Galapagos marine reserve. It is not surprising that, year after year, this place has been chosen one fo the best among the diving places around the world. There are very few places in the world -or none - where a whole archipelago has gotten rid off the commercial fishing completely and allow the lovers of the nature to submerge and to be witness of the action that spreads in the clean and deep waters of the Pacific. Diving can be practiced in the Galapagos Islands but it will require some experience from behalf of the diver, it is not recomended for beginners. Rather we recommend it to the plungers with a half or advanced level, mainly in certain areas. The diving tour operators will inform you of the peculiar conditions of the moment and they can also advise itineraries less complicated and more appropriate for beginners. The diving conditions in the Galapagos Islands are considered among of medium and discharge difficulty, taking into account the currents, the depth and the structure of the diving places, the temperature and the fauna. The temperature range of the marine surface varies between 18ºC and 30ºC. The months between September and November are the coldest, and between February and April the warmest. The "termoclinas" becomes present between the 10 and 30 meters deep, and in them, the temperature can descend between one and five Celsius degrees. The diving tour operators in the Galapagos Islands provide the suits, diving gear, guides, transportation and insurance.

If you dive in the islands, you will probably meet with currents consider medium to strong. Medium currents are those that go between one and three knots (between 2 and 6 kilometers per hour, or 1 and 4 miles per hour), and for strong currents are those higher to three knots (more than 6 kilometers per hour, or more than 4 miles per hour).

If suddenly you are in an unexpected current, relax, keep a positive attitude and return to the ship. If you dive in-group, stay together. During the rainy season (July to December), the Humboldt Current comes from the southeast. In the warm season (January to June) it arrives to the Galapagos the Panama current, coming from the northeast.

In the waters of the Galapagos Islands you will have a visibility of about 30 meters or 100 feet. You can hope to have a visibility of among 15 to 25 meters (or 50 to 80 feet) in most of the diving places. In some areas and during some seasons, green waters can be presented due to the wealth in phytoplankton. These algae and plankton are the first link in the tropical chain, and they are necessary for the marine lifelong conservation in the islands.

In the Galapagos Islands it is very common diving with current. With medium currents you should not allow to spend more than some seconds in the surface before descending so that the current doesn't drag you far from the group. The ship follows the bubbles during the time that the members of the group remain diving, and it picks them up in the place where they come out to the surface.

In blue waters, far from the bottom or a reef, Security stop are often practiced. Stay near the guide and of the group. Beyond 20 meters or 60 feet it is considered deep diving. In deep diving, the immersion should be done very early in the morning. You must consider the possible "termoclinas" and get ready for low temperatures; it uses the appropriate thermal protection. Diving in the Galapagos is often made in the deep and near the reefs.

You can also enjoy the not very deep night diving without current. Your guide will select a sure place to practice it. At night they are visible the night crabs, the sea stars, the marine cucumbers, some fish and other species; it is also common to find fluorescence inside the first six meters. One of the best experiences in diving is a fluorescent night with turtles, skin seals and other animals that can be done with the out lantern.

About The Author Eric Castro Mattas chief editor of Posicionarte in Quito, Ecuador.

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