Dive Site: North Seymour

About North Seymour

North Seymour is one of the most frequented dive sites in the Galápagos, conveniently located a short boat ride from the Itabaca Channel on Santa Cruz Island. The topography consists of gradual steps from the shoreline, reaching a beautiful rock reef at 8 meters, then descending to a sandy bottom between 16 and 18 meters. It's a prime location to encounter an abundant variety of marine life, including various sharks, rays, and schools of reef fish. While other sites might be more famous for hammerheads, small schools are still possible here. Divers can expect to see white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, green sea turtles, and large schools of barracuda and snapper. The rock reef offers excellent opportunities to spot well-camouflaged octopi. A remarkable highlight of North Seymour is the frequent presence of spotted eagle rays, occasionally joined by mobula and manta rays, gliding through the channel. Hundreds of garden eels also create a captivating scene, peeking out from the sandy bottom. North Seymour is known for its drift diving, and while currents can range from moderate to strong, the site is generally suitable for all experience levels, including beginners. Dive tours often depart from Puerto Ayora, with a combination of car and boat travel totaling approximately an hour. Two dives are typical for certified divers, with discovery options for those without a license, sometimes combined with a snorkeling session. The site is a popular choice for its consistent activity and accessibility.

Dive site facts: North Seymour

Depth

18–30 m

Typical dive

18–30 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong

Visibility

10–15 m

Water temperature

16–26 °C

Entry

Boat dive / drift

Level

Open Water with current experience

Dive type

Drift, pelagic, cleaning station

Region / port

Santa Cruz Island

Coordinates

-0.3833, -90.2833

Conditions & Currents

North Seymour is characterized by moderate to strong currents, particularly in certain areas like the nearby Mosquera Islet. These currents are a primary factor in attracting the rich pelagic life to the site, necessitating some experience with drift diving for comfort and safety. Divers should be prepared for potential thermoclines, which are common in the Galapagos, and may experience varying water temperatures depending on the season and depth. Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 15 meters, though it can fluctuate with current strength and nutrient upwellings. Entry is typically a boat dive, with guides often assessing diver proficiency in currents before descending. Divers should maintain good buoyancy control and be mindful of their air consumption due to the dynamic conditions. Gloves are recommended for stability if needing to hold onto volcanic rocks in strong currents.

Marine life & sighting chances

White-tip reef shark

common

Galapagos shark

common

Hammerhead shark

December to May for larger schools · common

Eagle ray

common

Manta ray

occasional

Golden cownose ray

occasional

Green sea turtle

common

Moray eel

common

Garden eel

common

Giant pufferfish

occasional

King angelfish

common

Blue and gold snapper

common

Razor surgeonfish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at North Seymour typically commence with a boat entry, often as a drift dive due to the prevailing currents. The initial descent may lead to an 'eel garden' area on a sandy bottom, where divers can observe garden eels and resting reef sharks. The dive progresses along the reef, transitioning to areas with volcanic rock formations and potential cleaning stations where larger pelagics like hammerheads and Galapagos sharks may be seen. Depths will usually vary between 18 to 30 meters. Divers generally follow the current, with the dive turning point dictated by air consumption or the natural drift. The safety stop is conducted in shallower, calmer sections, often near the end of the drift, before ascending to the surface for boat pickup.

Underwater photography

North Seymour is excellent for wide-angle photography, especially to capture the schooling hammerheads and other large pelagics. A wide-angle lens is essential for documenting the expansive cleaning stations and the general abundance of sharks and rays. Be prepared for moderate to strong currents, which can make steady shot composition challenging; quick reflexes are beneficial. Given the potential for thermoclines and varying visibility (10-15 meters), external strobes are highly recommended to bring out color and detail. For behavioral shots, particularly of rays and green sea turtles, patience and good buoyancy control are key. While less renowned for macro, unique opportunities may arise in sheltered crevices. Remember to maintain a respectful distance from all marine life.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Mosquera Island

  Frequently paired with North Seymour for a two-dive excursion, offering a drift and wall dive experience with diverse marine life.

• Punta Carrión

  A boulder-strewn reef providing encounters with white-tip reef sharks, sea lions, and occasional hammerheads and Galapagos sharks, with some macro opportunities.

• Daphne Minor

  A calmer, often shallower site known for its variety of reef fish and opportunities for beginner divers.

Getting there & logistics

North Seymour is primarily accessed via day trips departing from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Divers typically fly into Seymour/Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY) airports, then connect to Santa Cruz. The boat journey from Itabaca Canal to North Seymour takes approximately 30 minutes. Most tours are full-day excursions, including two dives, snacks, and lunch, lasting around 8 hours total. It's recommended to book at least a couple of days in advance with a local dive center in Puerto Ayora. All visitors to the Galapagos National Park must pay an entrance fee.

Safety & environment

Diving at North Seymour requires adherence to standard safety protocols due to the presence of moderate to strong currents. Divers should possess a minimum of Open Water certification with some experience in currents. It is crucial to dive with a reputable, certified operator and follow the dive guide's instructions closely, especially regarding entry, drift, and exit procedures. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. In case of a diving emergency, evacuation to the chamber can take several hours depending on boat travel time, so comprehensive dive insurance is highly recommended. Always check your gear thoroughly and ensure you are comfortable with the conditions before descending. Respect marine life by maintaining a safe distance and never touching or harassing animals.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

North Seymour FAQ

Liveaboards diving North Seymour

These liveaboards may visit North Seymour on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Galapagos Aggressor III

Galápagos

16 guests30.5 m

$913/day

Galapagos Sky

Galápagos

16 guests

$937/day

Galapagos Master

Galápagos

16 guests

$669/day

Humboldt Explorer

Galápagos

16 guests

$612/day

Tiburon Explorer

Galápagos

16 guests

$924/day

Calipso

Galápagos

16 guests

$819/day