Scuba Diving in Ecuador

Explore 74 dive sites and 26 dive centres in Ecuador. Conditions, marine life, and the best time to dive.

Ecuador Diving at a Glance

5 dive regions, 74 dive sites, 26 dive centres, 231 marine species recorded.

Travel Advisories for Ecuador

UK FCDO: Advises against all but essential travel to parts.

US State Department: Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution.

Best Time to Dive in Ecuador

The best months to dive in Ecuador are January, March, April, based on water temperature, visibility, wave conditions, and currents.

Month-by-Month Diving Conditions

  • January: Great, water 25.8°C, current 19.6 cm/s
  • February: Great, water 27.1°C, current 20.6 cm/s
  • March: Great, water 27.2°C, current 14.9 cm/s
  • April: Great, water 26.7°C, current 17.5 cm/s
  • May: Great, water 26°C, current 15.6 cm/s
  • June: Great, water 25.3°C, current 21.8 cm/s
  • July: Great, water 24.6°C, current 22.1 cm/s
  • August: Great, water 23.9°C, current 20.6 cm/s
  • September: Great, water 23.8°C, current 20.2 cm/s
  • October: Great, water 24.2°C, current 19.2 cm/s
  • November: Great, water 24.4°C, current 18.2 cm/s
  • December: Great, water 24.6°C, current 17.1 cm/s

Recommended Packing List for Ecuador

Based on average water temperature of 25.3°C, currents 19 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Dive Regions