One of the Best All-Level Shark Dives in the Galapagos
If Gordon Rocks feels too intense…
but you still want serious marine life…
North Seymour Canal is your sweet spot.
This full-day diving adventure takes you to one of the central islands’ most productive underwater corridors — a sandy channel and reef system known for hammerheads, reef sharks, rays, and dense schools of fish.
It’s the ideal balance of excitement and accessibility.
Why Divers Love North Seymour Canal
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High probability shark encounters:
Regular sightings include white-tip sharks, barracudas, turtles, and hammerheads. -
Suitable for a wide range of divers:
Classified as easy to intermediate with moderate currents. -
Excellent drift-style conditions:
Currents bring nutrient-rich water and pelagic life. -
Sandy bottom + reef structure:
Creates natural cleaning stations that attract big species. -
Short navigation from Santa Cruz:
Maximizes your underwater time.
What You’ll See
- Hammerhead sharks
- White-tip reef sharks
- Galapagos sharks
- Sea turtles
- Barracudas
- Devil rays and manta rays
- Garden eels
- Large schools of reef fish
Included and Excluded
- Complete dive equipment (5mm wetsuit, BCD, regulator, tank, fins, mask)
- Certified bilingual PADI instructor
- 2 dives or dive + snorkel
- Towels onboard
- Snacks and water
- Snorkel gear
- 12-liter tank
- Sodas
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
Important Notes
- Currents are moderate but can become strong.
- Suitable for Open Water and abve.
- Good option for divers building experience before Gordon Rocks.
-
7:00 AM from Puerto Ayora
-
8 hours
-
20 minutes by boat after land transfer
-
Easy – Intermediate
-
2 dives (certified divers) / 1 dive + 1 snorkeling (non-certified)
-
45 minutes each
-
18 meters sandy bottom
Your Experience Step by Step
Morning Departure & Transfer
Your day begins in Puerto Ayora, followed by a land transfer to the Itabaca Channel (about 40 minutes), where your dive boat awaits.
A short navigation brings you to the waters off North Seymour Island.
Moment to feel: Calm anticipation before entering the water.
Descend into the sandy channel where nutrient flows attract marine life.
Common encounters include:
- White-tip reef sharks
- Sea turtles
- Barracudas
- Snappers
- Devil rays
- Manta rays
- Schools of hammerhead sharks
The reef and cleaning stations often concentrate large species.
Highlight: Strong chance of multi-species shark sightings.
Enjoy snacks and water onboard while your dive guide prepares the second immersion.
The site is sometimes combined with Mosquera Islet or Daphne depending on conditions.
Your second dive explores another sector of the channel or nearby reef.
Because currents can vary from moderate to occasionally strong, the site offers exciting but manageable conditions for most certified divers.
Highlight: Excellent balance between comfort and action.
After your dives, return to Itabaca and transfer back to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon.
You’ll finish the day with something important:
Confidence… and incredible marine memories.
