Darwin Island

Darwin Island is a small, rocky island located at the far north of the Galápagos archipelago, close to Wolf Island, and is accessible only by liveaboard diving cruise. The underwater topography is entirely rock, with the site encompassing falling and drifting dive profiles, an arch formation, and coral reef sections. Maximum depth reaches 131 feet (27 metres), and the diving is rated intermediate to expert level given the moderate to strong currents, which typically run between 1 and 3 knots.

Visibility at Darwin Island ranges from 40 to 90 feet (12 to 27 metres), and divers should be prepared for conditions that change with current strength and direction. The site is a drift dive, and the volume of animal life encountered can be extraordinary, with schooling animals filling the water column in all directions.

The marine life at Darwin Island is exceptional even by Galápagos standards, centred heavily on large pelagic species. Schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks are a signature encounter, alongside great hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, silky sharks, whitetip sharks, and whale sharks. Rays are well represented with eagle rays, manta rays, and leopard rays present. Sea lions, green turtles, and hawksbill turtles round out the regular sightings.