The Hammerhead Shark Capital of the Galapagos

🔥 Special Galapagos rates end in:

144 days 19 hours 10 minutes 06 seconds

🦈 Tour Overview

Experience world-class big-animal diving at Gordon Rocks, locally famous as “The Washing Machine” due to its strong, nutrient-rich currents. Located near Santa Cruz Island, this submerged eroded volcanic crater is world-renowned for up-close encounters with massive schools of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, Galapagos sharks, spotted eagle rays, green sea turtles, sea lions, and pelagic fish.

This full-day diving expedition is designed for thrill-seekers and experienced divers looking to explore one of the most dynamic marine ecosystems on the planet.

📌 Quick Facts

• Activity: Scuba Diving (2 Dives)

• Duration: Full Day (Approx. 7–8 hours)

• Departure Point: Puerto Ayora / Itabaca Canal (Santa Cruz Island)

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced (Minimum 25–30 logged dives or Advanced Open Water Diver certification required due to strong currents)

• Max Depth: 20–30 meters / 65–100 feet

• Water Temperature: 18°C – 24°C (64°F – 75°F) depending on the season

📋 Detailed Itinerary

06:45 AM – Check-in & Equipment Fitting

Meet your dive master at the local dive center in Puerto Ayora. Complete final paperwork, double-check dive certifications, and fit your high-quality dive gear (5–7mm wetsuit, booties, fins, mask, BCD, and regulator).

07:15 AM – Transfer to Itabaca Canal & Boarding

Board our comfortable private transport for a 45-minute scenic drive across Santa Cruz Island to the Itabaca Canal, where our specialized dive boat awaits.

08:00 AM – Navigation to Gordon Rocks & Safety Briefing

En route to Gordon Rocks (approx. 45-minute boat ride), your certified bilingual PADI/SSI Divemaster will provide a comprehensive safety and dive site briefing covering site topography, current entry techniques, descent protocols, maximum depth limits, and marine life identification.

09:15 AM – Dive 1: Outer Wall & The Channel

• Depth: 18–25 meters (60–80 feet)

• Highlights: Descend along the dramatic underwater volcanic walls into the deep channel. Keep an eye out into the blue for incoming schools of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and oceanic manta rays riding the updrafts.

10:30 AM – Surface Interval & Refreshments

Relax on the boat’s sun deck during a mandatory 1-hour surface interval. Enjoy fresh tropical fruits, hot drinks, snacks, and hydration while discussing marine life sightings with your guide.

11:30 AM – Dive 2: The Crater & Shark Alley

• Depth: 15–25 meters (50–80 feet)

• Highlights: Explore inside the volcanic crater where playful Galapagos sea lions dart around divers. Drift past cleaning stations where reef fish groom giant sea turtles and eagle rays glide gracefully overhead.

01:00 PM – Onboard Lunch & Relaxation

After completing Dive 2, enjoy a delicious freshly prepared hot lunch onboard (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available upon request).

03:30 PM – Return to Puerto Ayora

Navigate back to Itabaca Canal and transfer back to town, concluding your bucket-list Galapagos diving adventure.

🎒 What is Included

• 2 Guided Dives with PADI/SSI certified Galapagos National Park Divemaster (max ratio 6 divers per guide)

• Full Scuba Equipment: 5–7mm wetsuit, BCD, regulator, mask, fins, weights, 12L aluminum tanks (NITROX available upon request for certified divers)

• Marine & Land Transport: Round-trip hotel pick-up/drop-off and boat navigation

• Food & Drinks: Fresh lunch onboard, snacks, fruit, hot tea/coffee, purified water

• GoPro Photos & Videos: High-resolution underwater photos/videos shared via Google Drive

• Towels & Warm Jackets onboard

🚫 What is Not Included

• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee

• Transit Control Card (TCC)

• Dive / Medical Insurance (mandatory for all Galapagos divers)

• Gratuities for crew and guide

🧳 What to Bring

• Original Physical Passport

• Physical or Digital Dive Certification Card & Logbook

• Swimwear (worn under clothing for easy gear fitting)

• Reusable water bottle

• Sun protection (reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)

• Motion sickness medication (recommended if prone to seasickness)

• Dry change of clothes & light windproof jacket

⚠️ Requirements & Important Notes

• Certification Requirement: Proof of Advanced Open Water or Open Water with a minimum of 25 logged ocean dives (including deep/drift dive experience) must be presented prior to departure.

• Safety First: Gordon Rocks is known for strong currents and surge (“The Washing Machine”). The Divemaster reserves the right to modify the dive plan or refuse participation if sea conditions or diver experience levels present safety risks.