Explore Santa Cruz

Found in the centre of the Ecuadorian Galapagos Islands is Santa Cruz. The second largest island, it is the most densely populated with a bustling capital - Puerto Ayora. 

This is the hub of the archipelago and enjoys the biggest terrestrial diving industry, with many dive centres and dive resorts found here, most of which offer diving courses and day trips. Liveaboards are by far the most popular way to dive in the Galapagos and lots leave from Santa Cruz to explore both local and remote sites. 

The diving in the Galapagos is known as some of the best in the world, for good reason. Beneath these waves you can witness spectacular volcanic topography, thrilling drift dives, unique marine species and much more. 

Dive Activity

Diving in Santa Cruz

Diving around Santa Cruz is diverse. Whilst some dive sites are recommended for more experienced divers due to the depth, current and unpredictability, there are plenty for more beginner divers too. 

Liveaboard diving is one of the best ways to dive Santa Cruz as you can explore the many dive sites at your leisure. Be sure to check with the individual liveaboards to see if they have minimum dive or qualification requirements. 

Dive Sites

iStock-mantaphoto
Gordon Rocks, Galapagos (★4.5)

Gordon Rocks, Galapagos (★4.5)

Near to the Santa Cruz Island and also known as the “washing machine”, you find the Gordon Rocks. Due to currents and upwellings, this dive site is suitable for advanced divers. On this site you will see hammerhead sharks and the famous oceanic sunfish (mola mola).

The best Months to Dive in Santa Cruz

Diving in Santa Cruz is possible year round. From January to June is the warm season. The sea is at its warmest (around 26°C) and calmest. This is the best time of year to see manta rays around Santa Cruz and you also have better chances of seeing hammerheads.

From June to December, cold currents flow from the north and bringing cooler water. This chills the water to around 21°C but also brings essential nutrients, which in turn attracts marine species like whale sharks. 

Top Wildlife Sightings in Santa Cruz

The marine life in Santa Cruz is representative of the Galapagos as a whole, demonstrating spectacular diversity. Sharks and rays are always a favourite. You can see eagle rays, manta rays and mobula rays, sometimes in huge numbers. Alongside reef sharks and Galapagos sharks, you might get to see the Holy Grail of every divers bucket list - schooling hammerheads.

Turtles, dolphins and schools of fish like barracuda and snapper are all frequent visitors to these rich waters, as well as big game fish like marlin and tuna. Galapagos sea lions are famous for their friendly natures while the majestic mola mola (or sunfish) sometimes grace Gordons Rock. 

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
1k Sightings
J
83
F
80
M
99
A
111
M
122
J
92
J
99
A
90
S
60
O
44
N
68
D
74
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress
Great Hammerhead Shark

Great Hammerhead Shark
990 Sightings
J
78
F
84
M
84
A
83
M
99
J
82
J
106
A
104
S
64
O
67
N
66
D
73

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
755 Sightings
J
70
F
73
M
84
A
79
M
59
J
49
J
70
A
69
S
47
O
35
N
59
D
61
Alamy-Christian Zappel
Scalloped Hammerhead

Scalloped Hammerhead
296 Sightings
J
33
F
20
M
35
A
38
M
32
J
27
J
23
A
24
S
10
O
16
N
23
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Sea Lion

Sea Lion
264 Sightings
J
31
F
17
M
25
A
22
M
44
J
22
J
16
A
23
S
13
O
11
N
21
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
196 Sightings
J
15
F
25
M
27
A
27
M
13
J
13
J
9
A
18
S
5
O
9
N
21
D
14
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO
Ocean Sunfish

Ocean Sunfish
119 Sightings
J
14
F
12
M
10
A
0
M
9
J
5
J
0
A
2
S
11
O
8
N
28
D
20
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray
81 Sightings
J
20
F
14
M
17
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
6
O
10
N
8
D
2
Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Oceanic Whitetip Shark
78 Sightings
J
3
F
8
M
13
A
2
M
11
J
9
J
13
A
6
S
5
O
0
N
5
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
63 Sightings
J
9
F
9
M
12
A
0
M
0
J
7
J
7
A
0
S
5
O
1
N
6
D
7
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
28 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
8
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
5
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
26 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
13
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
448 Sightings
J
43
F
42
M
65
A
59
M
61
J
39
J
29
A
37
S
18
O
4
N
30
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
345 Sightings
J
48
F
31
M
29
A
28
M
27
J
28
J
27
A
28
S
24
O
15
N
26
D
34
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
263 Sightings
J
22
F
28
M
30
A
30
M
34
J
19
J
18
A
12
S
13
O
12
N
24
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
171 Sightings
J
13
F
22
M
33
A
17
M
12
J
10
J
10
A
15
S
7
O
2
N
13
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
111 Sightings
J
20
F
14
M
21
A
3
M
9
J
9
J
0
A
10
S
6
O
1
N
7
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
83 Sightings
J
8
F
14
M
19
A
0
M
11
J
9
J
0
A
10
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
78 Sightings
J
7
F
15
M
23
A
3
M
0
J
8
J
0
A
7
S
0
O
0
N
9
D
6
iStock-Lindsey Dougherty
Silvertip Shark

Silvertip Shark
64 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
14
A
21
M
6
J
0
J
10
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
60 Sightings
J
8
F
1
M
19
A
12
M
5
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
2
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna

Tuna
50 Sightings
J
13
F
7
M
11
A
0
M
8
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
5
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
43 Sightings
J
7
F
9
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
2
S
2
O
0
N
7
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
42 Sightings
J
8
F
11
M
13
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
7
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
42 Sightings
J
7
F
8
M
11
A
11
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 9

AdobeStock-Dmitry Kokh
Fur Seal

Fur Seal
34 Sightings
J
0
F
10
M
10
A
0
M
9
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
28 Sightings
J
1
F
9
M
9
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
28 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
11
A
0
M
7
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
2