Gordon Rocks - Galápagos Islands

Gordon Rocks is one of those places you dream about, the kind where you pinch yourself underwater. We always push for an early start here, before the other boats arrive, because the real magic happens at first light. Dropping in, you're looking for hammerheads, plain and simple. Not just one or two, but sometimes dozens, cruising the channel between the rocks. We’ve had dives where the wall of sharks was so thick, it felt like swimming through a moving forest. Aside from the main event, keep an eye out for curious sea lions zipping past, their whiskers tickling your fins, and the distinctive yellow nutsedge clinging to the rocks. It’s a drift dive, so you just go with the flow, eyes peeled into the blue. The currents can pick up, no doubt about it, so it’s definitely one for divers comfortable in moving water. While the sharks are the star, we also love spotting the oddly patterned calico lizardfish hugging the bottom, and the striking masked morays peering from crevices. It’s a sensory overload, a loud hum of expectation, and the constant rush of water.

Location
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Coordinates
-0.567326, -90.142570

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 Gordon Rocks

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 Gordon Rocks

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