Cowley Islet - Galápagos Islands
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.
- Location
- Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
- Coordinates
- -0.166667, -91.400000
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
- Albany Rock
- Bainbridge Rocks
- Barranco Cave - 23-34m (cave)
- Bartolome and Cousins Rock - 30-40m
- Beagle Rocks - 12-60+m
- Cabo Marshall
- Café Scuba
- Cape Douglas
- Cape Marshall
- Carawa Shipwreck (wreck)
- Champion
- Champion Islet
- Champion Rock
- Channel (drift)
- Coamaño
Nearest Dive Centres to Cowley Islet
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 Cowley Islet
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