Bartolome and Cousins Rock - Galápagos Islands

Bartolome and Cousins Rock is a good spot for a few reasons. We usually drop onto a series of terraced steps here, descending to about 30 meters, then it slopes to a sandy bottom at 40. The soft black coral is a real highlight, giving you plenty of chances to find Pacific seahorses tucked away. Keep an eye out for whitetip reef sharks resting on the sand, green sea turtles cruising past, and big moray eels peeking from the cracks. If you drift off the steps a bit, you might catch a glimpse of a manta ray or a hammerhead shark passing through. It's a relaxed dive, good for taking your time and spotting the smaller stuff as well as the larger pelagics.

Location: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Coordinates: -0.273611, -90.550550
Maximum Depth: 30-40m

Marine Protected Area: Galápagos

Best Time to Dive in Galápagos Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Galápagos Islands occur in March, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 22.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 25.2°C
February: 27.0°C
March: 27.3°C
April: 26.9°C
May: 25.4°C
June: 24.3°C
July: 23.8°C
August: 23.0°C
September: 22.7°C
October: 23.1°C
November: 23.6°C
December: 23.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Galápagos Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Bartolome and Cousins Rock

Marine Life in Galápagos Islands

Home to 141 recorded species including 108 reef fish, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 hard corals, 3 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Pronghorn Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Brown Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus fuscus) - Sea Cucumbers
Green Spiny Lobster (Panulirus gracilis) - Crabs & Lobsters
Mangrove (Mycteroperca olfax) - Reef Fish
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Sea Bass (Epinephelus labriformis) - Reef Fish
Barracuda (Acanthocybium solandri) - Reef Fish
Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) - Reef Fish
Galapagos ringtail damselfish (Stegastes beebei) - Reef Fish
Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) - Reef Fish
King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer) - Reef Fish
Large-banded Blenny (Ophioblennius steindachneri) - Reef Fish
Razor Surgeonfish (Prionurus laticlavius) - Reef Fish
Cortez Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) - Reef Fish
Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) - Reef Fish
Spinster wrasse (Halichoeres nicholsi) - Reef Fish
Molly Miller (Bathygobius soporator) - Reef Fish
Blacktip Cardinalfish (Apogon atradorsatus) - Reef Fish
Sabertooth Blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus) - Reef Fish
Jack (Seriola rivoliana) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Bartolome and Cousins Rock

Based on average water temperature of 24.7°C, currents 34 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
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