If you are interested in getting scuba certified in the Galapagos Islands, there are a few things you should know.
First, the Galapagos Islands are a unique and fragile ecosystem, so it is important to choose a reputable dive operator that follows responsible diving practices. Look for dive operators that are certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or another recognised diving organisation.
Second, the Galapagos Islands offer some of the best diving in the world, but the conditions can be challenging, particularly for beginners. The water can be cold and choppy, and there can be strong currents. For this reason, many dive operators require that divers have a minimum number of dives under their belt before they can do some of the more advanced dives.
Third, there are a variety of scuba certification courses available, ranging from beginner to advanced. PADI offers a variety of courses, including their Open Water Diver course, which is the most popular scuba certification course in the world. You can also consider other organizations such as SSI, NAUI, and CMAS.
Finally, keep in mind that getting scuba certified in the Galapagos Islands can be more expensive than getting certified in other locations. However, the experience of diving in the Galapagos is truly unique, and many divers consider it to be well worth the extra cost.
You can get your scuba certification in Galapagos either on land at a resort with a PADI dive centre, or on one of the dive liveaboards.
If you want to dive on a liveaboard in the Galapagos, which will take you to the more remote locations like Darwin and Wolf Islands, you should get yourself certified before you go to benefit from the dives on offer.
Before you book your Galapagos liveaboard, you might like to check the table of all Galapagos diving liveaboards below. This table shows which liveaboards require what level of diver certification.
Table of Galapagos liveaboards with certificate levels
This list of Galapagos liveaboards is in descending customer rating order, so the liveaboards with the highest customer rating will be at the top of the list. To filter this table for the features that are important for your Galapagos liveaboard trip, select from the list of filters below.
If you want to see what scuba certification is needed for each liveaboard, use the “Open Water Diver” and “Advance Open Water”
The cost of the PADI scuba course in Galapagos can vary depending on the dive operator and the type of course you choose. However, generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $800 for the PADI Open Water Diver course in Galapagos.
This cost typically includes the necessary equipment rental, instruction, and certification fees. Some dive operators may also include additional perks like meals or accommodations.
Keep in mind that the cost of the course is just one factor to consider when choosing a dive operator. It’s important to choose a reputable operator that follows responsible diving practices and prioritises safety and environmental conservation.
Additionally, you may want to consider the experience level of the instructors, the quality of the equipment, and the overall reputation of the dive operator before making your decision.
Can beginners dive in Galapagos?
While beginners can technically dive in Galapagos, the conditions in the region can be challenging, and it is generally recommended that divers have some experience before diving in the area.
The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean and are subject to strong currents, choppy water, and often colder water temperatures. These factors can make diving more difficult and can create potentially hazardous conditions for inexperienced divers.
Many dive operators in Galapagos require that divers have a minimum number of logged dives before they can participate in certain dives or even enroll in some courses. The number of required dives can vary depending on the dive operator and the specific dive site, but it is not uncommon for operators to require that divers have at least 20 or more logged dives.
If you are a beginner diver interested in diving in Galapagos, it is recommended that you gain experience diving in other locations before attempting to dive in the area. This can help you build your skills and confidence and ensure that you are prepared for the unique conditions of Galapagos diving. Additionally, many dive operators offer courses and training to help beginner divers prepare for diving in the region.
I hope you enjoyed this article about Scuba Certification Galapagos
I’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your adventures of diving and snorkeling, in the comments below. Please also share your photos. Either from your underwater cameras or videos from your waterproof Gopro’s!
If this article hasn’t answered all of your questions. If you have more questions either about snorkeling or scuba diving (or specifically about Scuba Certification Galapagos), please comment below with your questions.
There will also be many more articles about scuba diving (and snorkeling) for you to read and learn about these fabulous sports.
Have fun and be safe!
Scuba Certification Galapagos
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Article written by Russell Bowyer who has been a scuba diver since diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in 1989. After his first dive he trained as a BSAC diver in the UK. He attained his Diver Leader certification with BSAC. He then went on to become a scuba diving instructor, teaching others how to dive and was voted as Diving Officer and Treasurer for the Saffron Walden BSAC club too. Russell has dived all over the world, including the UK, on liveaboards in the Red Sea, the Caribbean, South Africa and the USA. Russell is experienced in all dive types, including drift diving, deep dives that involved decompression stops and recreational dives too.
