5 Best Dive Sites in Isabela, Galapagos
Scuba Diving Guide
- Last Updated: December 9, 2024
Isabela is the biggest and most unexplored island of the archipelago where you can scuba-dive, therefore I’ve listed the 5 best dive sites in Isabela, Galapagos you can’t miss. From hammerhead sharks to manta rays most of the dives will give you so many incredible experiences that I guarantee you you won’t forget.
The only hiccup about the dive sites in Isabela is that only one is accessible to the common land-based mortal. The Tortuga Island one. All the others are only accessible via cruise since they’re in the northern part of Isabela which isn’t easily accessible from Puerto Villamil.
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Best Dive Sites in Isabela
General Info
Isabela, like all the other islands, is part of the Galapagos National Park, and therefore it has a number of things you should know:
- Most of the activities have to be done on a tour with a Naturalist guide.
- All the agencies have the same prices (although you can barter if you book more than one tour).
- Most beaches have opening and closing times (turtle nesting reasons).
- You should book your tour at least one day in advance (or you might risk not having a place on the best ones).
- Bring Seasickness Medication for the tours on the water.
- Always use strong sunscreen (Sun in the Equator line burns more).
- Have mosquito repellant with you, especially at sunset. There are horseflies in the Galapagos.
- You can’t fly a drone here unless you have a special permit from the National Park.
- You can’t rent a motorcycle or a car, everything has to be done by taxi, bus, boat, bicycle, or on foot.
- You can’t and shouldn’t touch the animals on the island.
1. Tortuga Island
The Tortuga Island dive tour is the most famous and only tour you can do on Isabela island that doesn’t depend on a cruise. So if you’re land-based, want to have a deep experience in Tortuga island, and dive surrounded by hammerheads and manta rays, this is the place.
This is a small islet located in the southeast of Puerto Villamil town, roughly 45 minutes away by speed boat and it has a shape of a half-moon clearly being the crater’s rim of an extinct volcano.
To book this tour: Check the local company Pahoehoe Galapagos and Galapagos Isabela Dive Center (they have mostly good reviews, but since I didn’t do any tour with these companies I would recommend you take your own conclusions).
2. Cape Marshall
The Cape Marshall dive is a wall dive on the northeastern coast of Isabela island. This dive and the next two are usually done after diving in Darwin and Wolf islands on a liveaboard and you can’t do them from Puerto Villamil, but they are still dive sites in Isabela, Galapagos therefore I’ve listed them here.
There is usually moderate to heavy current, and the dive is done as a drift dive following the coast. Here as usual in the Galapagos, you have a great chance on seeing hammerhead sharks and manta rays.
To book this tour: Check out the liveaboard cruises from the company Galapatours (they have mostly good reviews, but since I didn’t do any tours with them I would recommend you take your own conclusions).
3. Punta Vicente Roca
The dive in Punta Vicente Roca or Vicente Rock Point is usually done on your way back from Darwin and Wolf islands on the liveaboard and it’s located on the northwest of Isabela island. It is a cold and steep, deep vertical wall covered in coral, sponges, and black coral. You have a great chance of seeing mola molas, sea horses, bullhead sharks, batfish, sea lions, whales, and blue-footed boobies fishing.
Due to its cold currents, it’s an amazing site to watch the feeding frenzies of all these amazing species.
To book this tour: Check out the liveaboard cruises from the company Galapatours (they have mostly good reviews, but since I didn’t do any tours with them I would recommend you take your own conclusions).
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4. Roca Blanca
The Roca Blanca or White Rock dive site is located on the Southeast coast of Isabela island and according to Galapatours, it’s the secret mecca of the Galápagos, here you can see six different species of shark, manta and eagle rays, sea lions, morays, lobsters, and many tropical fish.
To book this tour: Check out the liveaboard cruises from the company Galapatours (they have mostly good reviews, but since I didn’t do any tours with them I would recommend you take your own conclusions).
5. Cowley Islet
The last dive on this list of dive sites in Isabela, Galapagos is the dive in the Cowley Islet.
It’s located on the East coast of Isabela island between Isabela and Santiago islands and you’ll probably find here different shark species, sea lions, stingrays green turtles, penguins, and manta rays.
To book this tour: Check out the liveaboard cruises from the company Galapatours (they have mostly good reviews, but since I didn’t do any tours with them I would recommend you take your own conclusions).
Best Dive Sites in Isabela
Where to Stay
For those looking for a sophisticated and comfortable stay, The Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel is a great option, boasting 14 elegant rooms, a sparkling pool, and a rooftop lounge. Cormorant Beach House offers an environmentally conscious retreat, where guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the island and a complimentary breakfast at a local-owned restaurant. For those who prefer more apartment-style accommodation, Aparthotel Casa Soleil offers fully-equipped apartments just 450 meters from the beach.
To learn more about the best hotels in Isabela, Galapagos, check out the full article:
All The Articles About The Galapagos
San Cristobal Island – The easternmost island of the Galapagos, the “Isla Bonita”
Santa Cruz Island – The island with the best tourism infrastructure.
Isabela Island – The most adventurous and less explored island of the main three.
