The marine life that surrounds Darwin is diverse, consisting of large shoals of fish as well as schools of hammerheads, Galapagos, silky, blacktip and the elusive whale sharks (June - November).  In addition, divers can also expect to encounter green turtles, manta rays, dolphins, melon-headed whales, pilot whales and large numbers of playful sea lions.  In some of the more protected coves around Darwin, even snorkelling is possible. 

Arguably one of the most famous dive sites of the Galapagos is that of El Arco - a living theatre of incredible marine life, where divers are likely to encounter large numbers of whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, dolphins and turtles.

The dive site of El Arenal consists of an underwater sloping sand 'driveway' and is a renowned location for spotting hammerhead sharks, blacktip sharks and whale sharks as well as big-eyed jacks.  The steep barnacle covered walls drop off into deeper ocean

Other marine life that divers are likely to encounter around Darwin include scorpion fish, blue-spotted, amber and big-eye jacks, trumpet fish, parrot fish and rainbow runners to name but a few.

Aside from its fascinating marine life, Darwin is also home to thriving populations of birds, including frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and the vampire finch.  Visitors should also keep a look out for the endemic Darwin Mockingbird.

The Beagle - Mary Anne - Cachalote - Sagitta - Amazonia - Samba - Beluga - Galaxy - Princess Grace - Aida Maria - Eden - Evolution - Eclipse - Grand Odyssey - Journey I - Eric - Flamingo - Letty - Odyssey - Athala - Nemo I - Nemo II - Diamante - Alta - Lammer Law - Rachel - La Pinta  - Humboldt Explorer - Parranda - Isabela (Albemarie) - Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) - San Cristobal (Chatham) - Baltra (South Seymour) - North Seymour (Seymour Norte) - Fernandina (Narborough) - Española (Hood) - Genovesa (Tower) - Bartolomé (Bartolemew) - Santiago (San Salvador or James) - Santa María (Floreana or Charles) - Marchena (Blindoe) - Mosquera - Plaza Sur (South Plaza) - Pinta (Abingdon) - Pinzón (Duncan) - Santa Fé (Barrington) - Rabida (Jervis) - Daphne

Galapagos wildlife birdlife birdwatching & natural history holidays - Sail Galapagos islands - expedition cruise vacation holiday - Ecuador responsible travel - Amazon - Andes - Quito - Guayaquil - sky aggressor  -  Dive Snorkel Diving & Snorkelling - kayak westsuit - Latin & South America journey - Specialist Guided Photography holidays workshops - Charles Darwin Research Station - Galapagos Conservation Trust - Rainforest Concern