Scuba Diving at Wolf and Darwin Islands: A Thrilling Adventure in the Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands are a diver’s paradise, and few sites are more thrilling than the underwater wonders at Wolf and Darwin Islands. These two remote islands in the northernmost part of the Galapagos archipelago offer some of the most spectacular diving in the world, with an abundance of marine life and unique underwater landscapes to explore.
Scuba Dive Profile:
Depth: 30-100+ ft (9-30+ m) Level: Advanced Water temperature: 65-80°F (18-27°C) Visibility: 50-100+ ft (15-30+ m) Current: Strong
Description of the Dive:
Diving at Wolf and Darwin Islands is not for the faint of heart. The dive sites are known for their strong currents, which can make for an exhilarating but challenging dive. However, for experienced divers, the rewards are well worth the effort.
At Wolf Island, the dive site known as “The Landslide” is a favorite among divers. It’s a drift dive that takes you past a steep wall covered in colorful corals and sponges, and down to a sandy plateau at around 80-100 ft (24-30+ m). Here, you’ll encounter schools of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, and eagle rays, as well as smaller creatures like octopuses, moray eels, and nudibranchs.
Darwin Island is famous for its “Arch” dive site, where you’ll descend down to a depth of around 60-80 ft (18-24+ m) to explore an underwater arch formation. The currents here are even stronger than at Wolf Island, but this is where you’ll have the best chance of seeing schools of hammerhead sharks, as well as other pelagic species like silky sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays.
Type of Wildlife Observed:
The marine life at Wolf and Darwin Islands is truly incredible. In addition to the aforementioned sharks and rays, you’ll also encounter schools of barracuda, tuna, and jacks, as well as sea turtles and sea lions. The islands are also known for their unique marine iguanas, which can be seen grazing on the rocks at the surface between dives.
Perhaps the most exciting wildlife encounters at Wolf and Darwin Islands, however, are the schools of hammerhead sharks. These iconic creatures are a highlight of any dive trip to the Galapagos, and at these dive sites, you’ll have the opportunity to see them in massive numbers. It’s not uncommon to see dozens, or even hundreds, of hammerheads, swimming in formation, making for an awe-inspiring spectacle.
In conclusion, scuba diving at Wolf and Darwin Islands is an unforgettable experience for advanced divers. The strong currents and challenging conditions make it a dive site for experienced divers only, but for those who are up for the challenge, the rewards are truly amazing. The chance to see such a diverse array of marine life, and especially the schools of hammerhead sharks, is something that every diver should experience at least once in their lifetime.
The Dive Logs 