Diving Sites (es)
SEYMOUR NORTH. - Placed at the north of Baltra Island, this island has a drop off of more than 3,000 feet, or 1.000 meters in the East coast.
CURRENTS. - We may find strong currents going to the NorthWest in the garúa season (July to December). In the warm season we may find surge and surf in the northeast cliff of the island.
It is a good idea to check the currents, surge and surf before any dive.
PHOTOGRAPHY. - When snorkeling, you can take great pictures even of sharks.
When diving, you have more opportunities to approach the sharks, marine turtles and big animals.
SEYMOUR NORTH - CHANNEL. -
Maximum depth: 18 meters. Level: Easy-Medium
You junp just in the point where the current splits in two. You need to go towards the channel, getting the island in your right hand. In the beginning is deeper, and soon you will see the sandy bottom filled of colonies of garden eels. Also you may see marine turtles, stingrays, and triggerfish. White tipped sharks rest in the shallow areas. Here you can approach them very slowly to take some close pictures.
SEYMOUR NORTH - NORDEAST CLIFF. -
Maximum depth: 25 meters. Level: Medium-Hight
Here you will find deep rocky slopes with sandy patches. There are white clear waters and this could be one of your best dives in the Galapagos. In the northeast point, where the currents are stronger, we often see concentrations of white tipped sharks, groups of Galapagos sharks, hammerheads, other different species of sharks, including the whale shark, which has been reported a few times, eagle rays, marine turtles, and large quantities of fish.
You can make the safety stop at the end of the dive on the northern coast, but be careful not to get caught in the shallow water, nor be drifted far away by the current.
MOSQUERA - Placed between Baltra Island and Seymour North, this sandy beached island has a big colony of sea lions. You will enjoy them in the water!.
MOSQUERA ISLET
Maximum depth: 25 meters. Level: Medium-Hight
We jump close to the eastern cliff and swim away a bit to find the underwater cliff placed at 20 meters below, then to the North, (island will be in your left hand) with the current. We often we see schools of hammerheads, galapagos sharks and big fish. Garden eels. Sea lions may follow you during a part of the dive. Be carefully with the males. Schools of barracudas, and reef fish.
GORDON ROCKS. - Placed at the northeast of Plazas islands, these rocks
are the rests of a tuff volcano. It consists of a big rock on the eastern side,
and two more to the west. The center was the crater of the volcano with several
boulders fell through the sides. To the north, between the rocks, are few
underwater pinnacles which begin at 20 meters and finish at 7 meters below the
water. The southern part of the crater has more then 40 meters depth. Above the rocks are very deep walls, with some
crevices. Outside the volcano the depths are greater of 80 meters.
CURRENTS. - Due to the topography of the rocks, we find strong currents, and even descendent currents, at this site.
In the garúa season (from June to January) the main current comes from the southeast, and it makes a tunnel effect because all the waters which reach the crater must leave through the narrow pass of the pinnacles. Between the pinnacles we should find the stronger current (3 or 4 knots sometimes). When the current leaves the crater, it meets the wall with deep waters, and makes a "waterfall" effect, creating the possibility of finding descendent currents. Sometimes we also find reversed currents close to the rocks, inside the crater. By the outer western and eastern sides, we find a steady parallel to the cliff current. To the north of the eastern rock is a calm zone with neither wind nor current. This is a good place to finish the dive.
In the warm season, the main current comes from the north; it reaches the pinnacles, making a slight descent to the center of the crater. It also passes parallel to the outermost cliffs.
It is a good idea to check the currents, surge, and surf before any dive.
ENTRYS AND EXITS. - These are very important at Gordon Rocks. You will enter the water very close to the rocks, with either surge or surf, and you need to be prepared to dive almost immediately in the water.
PHOTOGRAPHY. - While diving, you should consider the possible currents and attach the camera to yourself. You have two options, take pictures of big animals with a wide angle or small fish and invertebrates with a regular one. Here you may have the best pictures of sharks, rays and other big animals.
GORDON ROCKS - THROUGH THE CHANNEL ZONE. -
Maximum depth: 25 meters. Level: Medium-High
Between the two western rocks is a narrow channel. You will find a depth of less than 10 meters in this channel. Don't attempt to cross it with strong currents, surge, or surf because with the lack of visibility you can lose your orientation. If this happens, it is better to continue the dive either inside or outside of the crater.
During this dive you will have two places where you can wait to look for passing animals, especially hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, marine tortoises and eagle rays. These spots are in the entrance of the narrow channel, and between the pinnacles and the northwestern rock. In both places, it is better to situate yourself inside the crater, hidden in any big boulder. Invertebrates also are interesting, black coral, cup coral, starfish, shells, sponges, etc,...
Big schools of fish are often found inside the crater.
