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Ecuador
THE MASTER OF BIODIVERSITY
With the Galapagos Islands Ecuador contains the region with the richest biodiversity on earth. Tick this box from your bucket list with a liveaboard trip.
Ecuador is a country in South America bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers west of the mainland. For sea lovers especially this region is a truly unique paradise. Nowhere else on Earth you can find more species of animals as in the Galapagos Islands. The best way to explore these islands is by a liveaboard trip as the dive sites are quite far away from the mainland.
Not many people will know, that Ecuador has another region for diving to offer. The Machalilla National Park is known as the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’ and has some of the same endemic species as in Galapagos to offer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ECUADOR
Scuba diving is possible the whole year. From December to April the conditions are most pleasant with calm seas and warmer water. If you plan to visit the Galapagos Islands you should go between June and November to see whale sharks and between December and May to see manta rays. From January to June is wet season. Air temperature is an average of 30 degrees and water temperature ranges between 20 and 25 degrees.
BEST DIVE SPOTS IN ECUADOR
Galapagos Islands
These volcanic islands are surrounded by a deep-sea and rich number of marine life species. The region is a protected marine reserve where no commercial fishing is allowed in the last five decades. Combined with the deep sea upwellings it creates one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. Schooling hammerheads, mola mola, giant manta rays, sea lions and whales are residents in the waters of the Galapagos Islands.
The best dive sites are Wolf Island, Darwin Island and Punta Vincente Roca, which can only be visited by liveaboard. They are just too far away for day trips. Visiting the Galapagos Islands is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Machalilla National Park
This coastal region of Ecuador is not as well-known as the Galapagos Islands but has some of the same marine animals to offer. It is more for those who wish to dive in Ecuador without the cost of traveling to the Galapagos. Large groups of giant manta rays, whales and dolphins are commonly seen here during the right season. But unfortunately, the Machalilla National Park is not as protected as the Galapagos, so overfishing, pollution, poaching and deforestation are common problems in the region.
LIVEABOARDS IN ECUADOR
Liveaboards operating only around the Galapagos Islands to show you the best of this amazing natural paradise. Tours are year-round and depart all from Baltra Island as this is the best island to fly in. Trip itineraries range from 7/10-days to 14-night cruises. All liveaboards are well equipped with all amenities you need to enjoy this trip in complete comfort.
Galapagos Islands
A UNIQUE PLACE IN THE WORLD
Sea lions, penguins, sharks, mola mola and even underwater iguanas. The list of marine life you can encounter on your liveaboard trip in the Galapagos Islands is endless. Many species you can´t find somewhere else than here.
The Galapagos Islands as a part of the Republic of Ecuador, are an archipelago of volcanic islands located around 900 km off the mainland. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection. That´s why this is a mekka for nature enthusiasts. For scuba divers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the unique underwater life. Marine life is thrilling and you can encounter playful sea lions, schools of hammerhead sharks, penguins, weird mola mola and many more species.
The sea conditions can be quite rough and the water temperature is a bit cooler than in other diving spots. That´s why the Galapagos Islands is more for advanced divers.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
From December to June it is hot and rainy with temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees. From June to November there are occasional cooler winds with temperatures between 20 and 24 degrees. Diving is possible year-round with an average visibility of 10 to 20 meters.
BEST DIVE SPOTS IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Wolf and Darwin Island are the best islands to see all the marine life. El Arco on Darwin Island is one of the top 10 dive spots in the world. Regularly spottings of hammerhead schools, whale sharks, eagle rays and silky sharks are normal. The current here is very strong, so the dive is just about holding yourself somewhere and watch the sea life. Another challenging dive spot is Wolf Island but it is worth the effort. Schooling hammerheads by the hundreds, Galapagos sharks, silkies, eagle and mobula rays, bluefin tuna, turtles, and thousands of reef fish populate the undersea world. Cape Douglas on Fernandina Island is where you can see flying penguins underwater. Plus seals, sea lions and iguanas. This is truly something special that you will not see somewhere else in the world.
Other famous dive spots are El Arenal on Darwin Island, Roca Redonda on Isabela Island or Punta Carrion.
LIVEABOARDS IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Both Darwin and Wolf Island are only accessible by the liveaboard trip. That´s why all the dive operators including these beautiful places in their itineraries. The trips usually last 7 days, sometimes 10-14 days and start from Baltra Island. The boats are made for high sea conditions and are equipped with all the comfortable amenities you can wish. Group sizes are around 16 people, giving everybody enough privacy.
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