One of the main reasons people claim land-based diving to be best is the fact that you travel specifically to dive sites. While diving almost anywhere in the Galapagos Islands can be fantastic, there are specific spots (such as Gordon's Rocks) that are not typical sites on the itineraries of many combined terrestrial and diving tours.

Typically, land-based diving begins at Puerto Ayora with one of a few dive operators. Leaving early in the morning at a speedy 10-22 knots, the motor boat takes you to the morning dive site. After the morning dive, divers enjoy a packed lunch and a rest as they travel to the afternoon dive site. From there, they return to Puerto Ayora in the mid to late afternoon for a night in the charming port town.

You travel directly to the dive sites you choose and avoid overnight boat stays. Two of the best dive sites, however, require overnight stays. Darwin and Wolf Islands, located far to the northwest, have no visitor sites, making them unaccessible for those touring by land. However, for divers in the Galapagos, they offer spectacular and challenging dives. It is possible to see these islands with an overnight boat stay with a dive operator out of Puerto Ayora, or to charter them as part of a live-aboard diving tour .

For land-based Galapagos diving tours, you will need to choose a hotel in Puerto Ayora, your diving base. Choose between the Red Mangrove Inn, or the Hotel Silberstein both comfortable, conveniently located hotels with lots of character.

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