Gerencia Mares Ecuador

Mares Ecuador serves as a gateway to two of the most significant marine environments in the Pacific: the Machalilla National Park and the Galápagos archipelago. By working with the natural cycles and seasonal shifts of these waters, the centre ensures that expeditions are timed to offer the best possible encounters with local marine life.

Operating from Puerto López in the Manabí province, the centre manages daily dive expeditions and longer 'vida a bordo' liveaboard cruises. Whether you are exploring the reefs of the mainland or the legendary currents of the Galápagos, the focus remains on deep understanding and conservation of the territories being visited.

The centre is an SSI affiliated diving operator, providing instruction and guided expeditions led by certified instructors. Their approach is built around the concept of oceanic adventure, where the goal is to understand the marine cycles and the life they support.

For those looking for more than just a dive, Mares Ecuador acts as a specialist agent for land tours, hotels, and cruises, helping to coordinate full itineraries. They maintain a strong commitment to the protection of marine ecosystems, promoting responsible diving practices throughout their operations.

The centre offers a complete range of SSI training, catering to everyone from those looking for their first experience with Try Scuba to professional-level development. Core certification courses include Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver.

For divers looking to refine their skills or specialise, the curriculum includes Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Nitrox, Night Diving, and Perfect Buoyancy. They also provide technical and niche training such as Search and Recovery, Current Diving, Digital Underwater Imaging, and Fish Identification.

Full equipment hire is available for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. While basic diving equipment is included in the cost of tours and courses, specific accessories such as dive computers, torches, knives, or compasses are provided as additional items.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time or manage nitrogen loading more effectively. The centre's facilities in Puerto López serve as the base for organising all logistics, from equipment preparation to the departure of daily expeditions.

The region is famous for its large pelagics and seasonal visitors. In the Galápagos, you can encounter hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and giant manta rays, particularly from June to September. Mola mola and various other shark species are also part of the regular marine landscape.

On the reefs of Machalilla and the surrounding islands, you will find a steady presence of sea turtles, marine iguanas, and large schools of tropical fish. The islands also host diverse birdlife, including blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.

Between June and September, the arrival of humpback whales adds another layer of seasonal activity to the waters. The biodiversity is supported by a rich variety of marine life that thrives in the nutrient-rich currents of the Pacific.

Diving in these waters is heavily influenced by the seasonal rhythms of the ocean. Itineraries are carefully planned but remain flexible, as they may be modified to suit real-time weather and safety conditions.

The nature of the sites, particularly in the Galápagos, often involves navigating currents, which is why specific training in current diving is highly recommended for those visiting the more remote islands.