Scuba Iguana

Located on Santa Cruz Island, Scuba Iguana has been a mainstay of Galapagos diving for nearly three decades. As a 5 Star PADI Dive Centre, they serve as a primary gateway to the archipelago's most significant marine habitats, organising daily trips that depart from the Itabaca Channel.

The operation is built around the logistical requirements of diving in a protected National Park. Most excursions involve a 45-minute drive to the north side of the island, followed by a boat journey of between 45 and 90 minutes to reach the dive sites.

The team is composed of highly trained professionals, many of whom are qualified biologists. This expertise allows them to offer more than just a dive; they provide deep insight into the marine flora and fauna of the Galapagos. All dive guides are fully accredited by the National Park.

Safety is managed through small group ratios, with a maximum of five divers per guide. The centre is equipped with emergency oxygen and first aid kits to manage the specific requirements of remote diving. They offer instruction in both English and Spanish.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of PADI training, from the initial Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver courses through to Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For those looking to advance their professional career, they offer Divemaster programmes and internship opportunities. They also provide specialised training such as the Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) course and the Scuba Review Program for those looking to refresh their skills.

The dive centre operates boats with a capacity for 12 guests. For most trips, you will travel from the Itabaca Channel to your chosen site, with the duration depending on whether you are heading to the closer channels or the more distant islets.

Onboard service includes a hot lunch featuring local and international food, with options for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free requirements. You will also have access to snacks, fruit, table water, juice, and tea, alongside a towel service for after your dives.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for those not travelling with their own kit. For divers who prefer to bring their own gear, a discount is applied to the daily diving tour.

Nitrox is available for use, and the centre provides 15-litre cylinders for air as well as Nitrox fills. If you require a dive computer, these can be hired on a daily basis. DIN adapters are also available for those using specific regulator setups.

The marine life here is defined by massive pelagic encounters. You can expect to see hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini), Galapagos sharks, blacktip sharks, and whitetip sharks. Large rays are a constant presence, including eagle rays (Aetobatus), marble rays, and mobulas. During the cold season from June to November, you may also encounter manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and bump-head sunfish.

The reef environments are teeming with diverse fish populations. You will regularly see green turtles, sea lions, tuna (Thunnus), and great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). Other common residents include snapper (Lutjanus), parrotfish (Calotomus), jack (Carangidae), and various species of triggerfish (Balistidae), alongside moray eels (Muraenidae), pufferfish (Arothron hispidus), and surgeonfish (Acanthuridae).

For those interested in macro life, the sites offer plenty of detail. You can find seahorses, octopus, and Galapagos blennies tucked into the reef structures. The sandy bottoms and rocky crevices also host stingrays, garden eels, and various species of reef fish.

Diving in the Galapagos involves drift dives, and you should prepare for varying water movement. Currents can range from moderate to very strong, particularly at sites like Gordon Rocks.

The experience varies by season. The warm season from December to May generally offers more relaxed diving conditions and better visibility. The cold season from June to November brings the arrival of special animals like manta rays and sunfish, but can also result in choppier seas and stronger surges.