Cowley Islet
Why dive here
With 131+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, seals & sea lions, sea turtles and sperm whales - Cowley Islet offers some of Galápagos Islands's richest diving. Water ranges 23-28°C, warmest February, March, April.
Cowley Islet, sitting off the eastern coast of Isabela, often feels like a warm-up act for the bigger Galápagos sites, but that's not to say it disappoints. We usually find ourselves drifting along, keeping an eye out for patrolling reef sharks and the inevitable playful sea lions zipping past. It's a reliable spot for green turtles, often spotted grazing calmly, and if you’re lucky, a manta ray might glide by in the blue. Keep your eyes peeled for penguins too; they’re a quirky bonus here, a reminder of the islands' unique blend of climates. It’s a pretty chill dive, making it a good fit if you’re easing into the rhythm of Galápagos currents.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 36 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Reviews for Cowley Islet
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cowley Islet
Cowley Islet Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cowley Islet, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-0.32, -90.55) (15km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
23°C
74°F · Range: 20.2–26°C
Current Speed
36.24 cm/s
Direction: SW (230.6°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.886 mg/m³
Moderate productivity
Salinity
33.88 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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