Exploramar Diving - Isla de la Plata
The team at Exploramar Diving really gets what makes diving around Isla de la Plata special, and they're our go-to for experiencing it. They're based right there, meaning less travel time and more time with your face in the water. We particularly like their focus on smaller groups, which makes a huge difference when you’re trying to spot a shy frogfish or drift quietly past a manta ray. We’d pick them for anyone keen on a solid day trip, especially during humpback season from June to September. There’s nothing quite like the sound of whale song vibrating through your chest underwater. Out of season, the schooling fish are the main event – think barracuda walls and so many snapper you can barely see past them. We’ve found their guides are excellent at pointing out the smaller critters, too. They run courses, but we’d suggest Exploramar most for certified divers looking to really explore the area's many sites. Just be prepared for potential surge and currents, especially on the exposed sites; it’s a lively stretch of ocean.
- Location
- Isla de la Plata, Ecuador, South America
- Coordinates
- -1.557615, -80.812430
- Phone
- +593 2 256 3905
- Website
- http://www.exploradiving.com
- Courses
- Open Water Diver, Scuba Diver, Deep Diver, Continuing Education, Professional Courses
- Address
- Julio Izurieta
Dive Sites Near Exploramar Diving
Exploramar Diving provides access to 15 dive sites in Isla de la Plata.
- AZOREANA - 4m (wreck)
- BLACK SAND I - 11m (wreck)
- BON BINI - 10m (wreck)
- BP GUAZAR - 2m (wreck)
- DARWIN - 7m (wreck)
- Dive and Surf
- DON VICTOR - 3m (wreck)
- El Pelado
- El Pelado / Islote El Pelado
- Isla Salango
- Isla Salango
- Islas Los Ahorcados
- Islas Los Ahorcados
- JAMBELI - 9m (wreck)
- JUAN BAUTISTA - 4m (wreck)
Other Dive Centres in Isla de la Plata
Best Time to Dive in Isla de la Plata
The warmest water temperatures in Isla de la Plata occur in February, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 24.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 26.4°C
- February: 27.3°C
- March: 27.2°C
- April: 26.4°C
- May: 26.7°C
- June: 26.4°C
- July: 25.3°C
- August: 24.8°C
- September: 24.8°C
- October: 25.3°C
- November: 25.1°C
- December: 25.3°C
Marine Life in Isla de la Plata
Home to 148 recorded species including 124 reef fish, 8 whales & dolphins, 5 other, 5 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.
Notable Marine Life
- Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) - Reef Fish
- Brown Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus fuscus) - Sea Cucumbers
- Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) - Reef Fish
- Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) - Reef Fish
- Sea Bass (Epinephelus labriformis) - Reef Fish
- Cortez Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Isla de la Plata
Based on average water temperature of 25.9°C, currents 4 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- 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