The Galapagos Islands lie in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The archipelago consists of 13 major islands, 8 smaller islands and 40 islets. Some 97.5% of the land area was designated a national park in 1959. In 1778 UNESCO declared the archipelago a World Heritage Site. In 1986 the surrounding ocean was designated as a marine reserve and in 2001 UNESCO expanded the World Heritage Site to include the marine reserve.
The best time to go on a dive charter in the Galapagos is from December to June when the warm Panama Current brings warmer weather and calmer seas. From June to December, cold currents from the cooler south lower the water temperature to 20°C.
The Galapagos Islands is more than a dive charter holiday; it is a visit to the earth's haven for endemic species and a Mecca for divers who worship biodiversity. It's not cheap but for those of who prefer diving a long way from overcrowded and overdeveloped tourist resort destinations, the price of an all-inclusive live aboard dive charter holiday in the Galapagos Islands is well worth it.
The Galapagos Islands are volcanic in origin and are the tops of still active volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor 2200 meters below. They are situated where the cold Humboldt and several other major ocean currents converge. The Galapagos Islands offers those on a dive charter the chance to explore one of the richest and most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
The Galapagos Islands are completely isolated from other land masses and the terrestrial ecosystem is especially fragile, as native species have no natural defences against introduced species
