Galapagos People - Galápagos Islands
Galapagos People is one of those sites that just feels… different. We find it’s not as dramatic as some of the big-name drifts, but it offers a quieter, more intimate look at the Galápagos ecosystem. You're not going to be hammered by current here, which makes it perfect for really slowing down and observing. We love spotting the little guys – those vibrant Pacific beakfish darting through the rocks, the odd Coral hawkfish perched perfectly, and especially the endemic Galapagos ringtail damselfish, which just pops with colour. Keep an eye out for larger pelagics passing through the blue, too; we’ve seen dorado here on several occasions, and sometimes the sleek outline of a blacktip shark cruising by. It’s a fantastic site for photographers or anyone who wants to appreciate the smaller details without battling a strong push.
- Location
- Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
- Coordinates
- -0.742961, -90.311980
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 Galapagos People
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 Galapagos People
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