The Galapagos Islands
There is no single place on earth that means as much as the Galapagos when it comes to our understanding of the natural world. Central to stimulating the seismic thoughts of Charles Darwin, and to nurturing his understanding of evolution by natural selection, the Galapagos continues to intrigue and delight lovers of nature. These days, people flock to the islands to enjoy their natural beauty, the myriad landscapes and creatures of the land and air. Naturalist cruises mean you can tour in comfort from island to island, observing and learning all about the bird life and unique land animals, including the famous giant Galapagos tortoises.
However, it is below the surface of the water where the Galapagos showcases some of it richest life. The sheer numbers and variety of marine creatures here is breathtaking, which explains why divers from all over the world make a pilgrimage here to enjoy a spectacular week long liveaboard cruise. Sharks are often the headliners with species including whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. However other amazing species such as marine iguanas, seals, sea lions, sunfish, red-lipped batfish, plus rays and schooling fish add to the underwater splendor.
Recent Galapagos Islands Articles
Diving with Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
Mysterious Denizens of the Deep Diving with hammerheads at Darwin Island. Photo courtesy: Master Liveaboards Diving with sharks is a popular pursuit but not all shark dives are the same. One of the most awe-inspiring sights has to be diving with the hammerhead shark....
Diving with Dolphins – Man’s Best Ocean-Dwelling Friend
Thought to be among some of the most intelligent animals on the planet, dolphins' playful, inquisitive nature have made them popular with divers and a fascination for all humans for as long as we have known of their existence. In fact, many cultures consider the...
Diving with Seahorses – a Diver’s Best Friend
A seahorse examines a diver`s watch Seahorses are mesmerising and magical marine creatures. It’s like they materialised from a young child’s dream with their horse like head, a tail akin to a monkey, eyes that move independently of each other and skin colour that...
Diving with Nudibranchs – It’s Only a Slug, Right?
To those who have never dived, the idea of a small slug-like, bottom-dweller might seem like a boring prospect. However for divers, the picture is rather different. These little, riotously-coloured creatures bejewel the ocean floor, catching the eye like glinting...
Diving with Manta Rays: Graceful Gliders
We have done some of the world's best manta dives and know that the joy of diving with these creatures is difficult to overstate. They capture divers' imaginations since they move so gracefully and majestically through the water - whether frolicking in the surf, or...
Diving with Frogfish: the Obdurate Anglerfish
A pair of frogfish with amazing colouration in Kapalai, Malaysia. Photo Courtesy: Ketrick Chin Open any coffee table book of underwater photography and you are almost certain to see a few pages dedicated to the majestic frogfish. One of the critter kings, anglerfish...
Diving with Whale Sharks: the Largest Fish in the World
If you have been there then you know. If you haven’t, then it is difficult to describe the feeling of sharing the water with this, the biggest fish in the sea. More like a whale than a shark, these fish are right at the top of most divers “To...
Diving with Barracuda – The Tiger of the Sea
Barracudas are perhaps one of the most feared marine creatures for non-divers but those in the know crave underwater encounters with these sleek and misunderstood creatures. However, many such scuba divers might agree that their villain appearance could send a shiver...
The Voyage of the Beagle: Galapagos Islands and More
Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' was a book that changed the way human beings think and is undoubtedly the greatest work of his, and arguably anyone else's, scientific career. However, the journey that gave birth to his great work was also...