Daphne - Galápagos Islands

Daphne, a small islet north of Santa Cruz, might not have the dramatic hammerhead schools of Darwin or Wolf, but it offers a different kind of magic, one we truly appreciate. This site is a drift dive along a wall that drops into the deep, often with a decent current pushing you along. We've seen puffers so plump they look like they swallowed a beach ball, and the longnose hawkfish perched on black coral branches are always a delight, their little red eyes following you. Look for the incredibly shy Pacific mutton hamlets darting into the crevices. The corals here, particularly the stony corals, are more robust than some other sites, forming intricate structures that hide undulated morays and the occasional rainbow scorpionfish. Our favorite part, though, is often the pelagic action just off the wall – we've often spotted Oriental bonito flashing by, almost too fast to properly identify. For divers who enjoy a relaxed drift and appreciate the smaller, shyer residents of the reef, Daphne is a solid choice. Come in the morning for the best light; the afternoon sun can sometimes make the water a bit milky.

Location
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Coordinates
-0.395520, -90.352974

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 Daphne

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

Recommended Packing List for Daphne

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