Ecuador

Explore Ecuador

Ecuador offers an exceptional diving experience, blending vibrant marine biodiversity with breathtaking underwater landscapes. As an adventurer's paradise, this country is renowned for its thrilling encounters with large pelagic species and marine mammals, drawn by powerful currents and nutrient-rich upwellings. The Galapagos Islands, a crown jewel of Ecuador, are a sanctuary for divers seeking close encounters with unique, fearless marine life, thanks to strict conservation efforts. Here, the spirit of Darwin lives on, with divers marveling at the endemic species thriving in this protected marine park. Beyond the Galapagos, Ecuador’s mainland coast offers its own underwater marvels, particularly within Machalilla National Park. This is the mainland's sole marine park, promising sightings of species similar to those in the Galapagos without extensive travel or high costs. Isla de la Plata, accessible from Puerto López, is a highlight, offering divers the chance to explore vibrant reefs teeming with life. Whether opting for a shore dive or a liveaboard adventure to remote sites like Darwin Island, Ecuador's diverse dive environments ensure unforgettable experiences for both novice and seasoned divers.

Places to explore

Galápagos

2 Divesites • 1 Center

Dive Centers Show on map

GALAPAGOS AGGRESSOR III

Baltra, ECU

Mares Ecuador

Malecon Julio Izurieta, sector sur de la playa, última cuadra habitada del lado sur, 130159 Puerto Lopez, Manabi, ECU

Coronel Diving

Punta Blanca Entrada 3, 090150 Santa Elena, ECU

Top Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
1.3k Sightings
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81
F
80
M
109
A
110
M
146
J
104
J
139
A
114
S
94
O
73
N
120
D
118
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress

Great Hammerhead Shark
1.2k Sightings
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93
F
83
M
109
A
98
M
121
J
104
J
130
A
113
S
79
O
94
N
95
D
92
iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
955 Sightings
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65
F
64
M
108
A
95
M
80
J
62
J
97
A
81
S
63
O
63
N
95
D
82
iStock-Michael Zeigler

Sea Lion
556 Sightings
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32
F
33
M
52
A
37
M
68
J
39
J
62
A
53
S
54
O
35
N
48
D
43
Alamy-Christian Zappel

Scalloped Hammerhead
459 Sightings
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40
F
27
M
60
A
51
M
59
J
26
J
45
A
35
S
15
O
30
N
32
D
39
Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
278 Sightings
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16
F
17
M
33
A
28
M
22
J
22
J
24
A
29
S
16
O
18
N
32
D
21
iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
108 Sightings
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11
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14
M
17
A
5
M
4
J
6
J
7
A
5
S
5
O
8
N
12
D
14
Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection

Oceanic Whitetip Shark
106 Sightings
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13
F
16
M
19
A
7
M
14
J
8
J
12
A
7
S
4
O
3
N
0
D
3
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO

Ocean Sunfish
105 Sightings
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9
F
9
M
10
A
0
M
9
J
5
J
0
A
6
S
11
O
8
N
20
D
18
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
103 Sightings
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18
F
12
M
19
A
9
M
4
J
4
J
5
A
0
S
6
O
10
N
8
D
8
iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
94 Sightings
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14
F
7
M
13
A
5
M
16
J
5
J
0
A
4
S
4
O
5
N
13
D
8
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
90 Sightings
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7
F
4
M
9
A
4
M
9
J
12
J
11
A
6
S
8
O
3
N
13
D
4
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
65 Sightings
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6
F
7
M
3
A
6
M
5
J
4
J
0
A
6
S
9
O
6
N
6
D
7