This is still one of the world`s most active volcanic regions and that, along with the isolated position of the islands, creates a unique environment. What makes the marine life so unusual though, is that the Galapagos islands are at the crossroads of seven major ocean currents. The most influential are the Equatorial (Cromwell), which sweeps in cold water from due west, the warm Panama current from the northeast and the cold Peru (Humboldt) from the south. Each of these currents brings its own particular species, resulting in a rare mix of tropical, subtripocal and temperate marine life. More than almost any other dive destination, planning a trip to the Galapagos requires a high level of understanding of local conditions. This is not diving for the faint-hearted: the water can be icy, it`s rarely dead calm and currents and surges are an every-dive occurrence.
The attraction of the Galapagos is the likelihood of seeing large pelagics and there certainly are plenty. We can swim with a hundred hammerheads or do our safety stop surrounded by 20 silky sharks, so if that`s your thing you won`t leave disappointed. No matter what time of year the termoclines are a serious issue. One minute the water can be 25°C then, within seconds, it will drop to 15°C. No joke! As for marine life, the hammerheads are seen all year round and on almost every dive. Galapagos, white tip and silky sharks are common companions. Eagle rays and marble rays are everywhere as, of course, are curious and playful sea lions. There are smaller creatures as well - seahorses, morays and even nudibranchs - so it`s wothr looking down for some of the dive, not just out into the blue.
There is very little point in going all the way to the Galapagos and not seeing the two northernmost islands - WOLF and DARWIN. Wolf is an overnight sail north of the central islands, with Darwin at least another four hours on. These sheer-sided, rocky land masses are home to birds - red-footed boobies settle in every nook and cranny while fregates circle above - but little else.