www.ecuadors.org

[Draice]

I´m planning a trip to the galapagos and need some top tips. i have about 10 days and would like to dive and also explore on land, but don´t particularly want to spend a week on a boat.

any ideas of good diving companies, tours we can do if we are land based, and accommodation (budget but nice !)

thanks

[Sabin]

You can do great day diving trips from Puerto Ayora. Don't miss out on Gordon Rocks, which is an amazing dive site an hour or so away. There are several dive centres in town. I went with Albatros Tours that have a small shop down in the harbour, but there are several other, bigger dive centres too.

If you have ten days you should definitely consider going on a cruise for your land visits, if only for five days. It's really the best way to explore the land stuff. Day trips from Puerto Ayora will only take you to a limited number of places, which are spectacular sure, but you will miss out on a lot. If you really really don't want to go on a longer boat tour, consider spending a few days on Isabella island.

[Selwin]

In Apri 2006 we used Scuba Iguana, which from all reports is one of the best, if not the best in the Galapagos. We were duly impressed with their service. We used them to book our entire stay for the Galapagos. We were impressed with their service and they booked our day tours, diving tours, hotel and airfare from Quito to Galapagos.

I dove for 5 days and then we did a few day land tours, around Isla Santa Cruz, and to Isla Bartolome. One land tour we missed and I wished we'd done was Plazas (I guess we'll have to do that one next time........).

Gordon Rocks is a strong current dive with schools of Hammerheads, and some rays thrown in for good measure. Travel time from Puerto Ayora is approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes each way. Most dive sites are a good boat ride from town which means it's a full day committment (i.e. 7am - 4pm).

As mentioned there are other dive centres in Puerto Ayora, and I've heard differing opinions on their service/quality, but can't comment on them personally.

Have fun!!!