Gordon Rocks
Gordon Rocks is a world-renowned dive site for sightings of schools of hammerhead sharks and larger pelagics in general. Different species of rays and sharks, but also a variety of reef fish can be expected. The occurrence of very strong currents and the few visual references make it a challenging dive site, suitable for divers with at least 25 dives of experience or a previous evaluation at other dive sites. It is located about 1 hour east of Santa Cruz Island.




Location
Gordon Rocks is located east of Santa Cruz Island, about 60 minutes from Puerto Ayora and 45 minutes from Itabaca Channel.
Gordon Rocks
Dive conditions
Gordon Rocks is an extinct tuff cone submerged in the ocean. From the surface you can see 3 rocks as remnants of the volcano. Their outer walls drop about 60m.
Diving is mostly inside the crater, through a rocky area that goes down the sandy bottom at 30 meters. There are 4 underwater pinnacles, three of them in the northern part of the crater from 8 to 30 meters that connect the rocks that can be seen on the surface and one in the center of the caldera from 21 to 30 meters.
After the briefing and the equipment check at Plazas Island (5 minutes from Gordon), upon arrival at Gordon, the guide will check the conditions such as the direction of the current and visibility and explain the dive plan accordingly.
Gordon Rocks is the only dive site that requires experience due to its strong or very strong current. At least 25 logged dives are required to join the diving tour as part of the group. If you have less dives, there is the possibility to dive first at another site where we will evaluate your skills underwater, or you can contract a private guide to enjoy this iconic site.

Dive activity
Activity
Gordon Rocks is one of the best places to find pelagic animals. Hammerhead sharks gather in schools and form cleaning stations supported by butterfly fish and banner fish. In the cold season manta rays and the endemic Mola Alexandrini (sunfish) can pass by. You can observe different species of rays such as:
- eagle rays
- golden rays
- sting rays
- marble rays
- mobulas
- beside white tip sharks
- Galapagos sharks
- blacktip sharks
- green turtles (the only one that nests in the islands)
- tunas
- barracudas
- Galapagos grunts
- snappers
- parrotfish
- hogfish
- pufferfish
- triggerfish
- moray eels
- surgeonfish
- wahoos
- jacks
GALAPAGOS DAILY DIVING TOURS
What’s included in our daily diving tours?

- 2 Dives per Day
- 2 x 12 ltr tanks normal air PADI Open Water (or equivalent certification from other recognized dive institutions) is sufficient for participation at all dive sites
- Small Groups
- Max. 5 divers/guide for a safe and great experience underwater.
- Professional and Experienced Crew
- Spanish/English speaking dive guides authorized by the National Park Galápagos, all PADI instructors with many years of experience in local waters. Attentive and service-oriented staff with many years of experience in the diving business.
- Check dive
- A short weight and gear check in shallow waters (Galapagos waters require more neoprene and weights than you may be used to). Quick skills refresher if it´s been a while since your last dive.
- Complete Dive Gear
- 5 or 7mm wetsuit, regulator (yoke) with pressure and depth gauge, BCD, mask, fins, boots, hood, cotton gloves, weight belt and 2 air tanks.
- Food and more
- Hot lunch (delicious local/ international food, specialties such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free food are possible), snacks and fruits, table water, juice and tea. Towel service.
Extra Services
If you would like to, you can book the following extra services with us.
DIN Adapter | $5.00 each* |
NITROX Tanks | $15.00 each (must be certified) |
15 liters tank with air | $10.00 each |
Dive Computer | $15.00 per day* |
Private Dive Guide | $180.00 |
*depending on availability (Please contact us in advance to check availability for your dive day) |
Timeline of the Dive Day
If you would like to, you can book the following extra services with us.
-
8:00
The meeting point is at Scuba Iguana where there will be a quick run-down of what the day will look like over tea, coffee or hot chocolate (to give you that extra energy for the day)
-
8:10
For most dive sites we travel by taxi to the Itabaca Channel (on the North side of Santa Cruz) – a 45 minute drive – and then by boat to our dive site (45- 90 minutes depending on the site).
-
10:15
Dive time! Our guides will have briefed you as you get close to the site so that when we arrive we can gear up and go.
-
11:15
We surface after approximately an hours dive and warm up with some hot drinks and snacks to boost our energy for round two.
-
12:15
Dive time! Usually at a second site, our team brief you once more and we dive again to shallower depths for approximately an hour.
-
13:15
We surface for the last time, dry off completely, have a hot lunch and trade stories on the way back to the shore.
-
15:00
We arrive back at Scuba Iguana where we go through your log books, photos and any unanswered questions.
More Dive Sites
Our daily diving tours are the easiest option to get to know the beauty of the underwater world of the Galapagos Islands.
Explore our diving tours
Frequently asked questions
Meet our sales team
All locals, all divers and with many years of experience in the tourism business in Galapagos.
-
Lisa
Sales Agent
-
Jessica
Sales Agent
-
Sabine
Sales Agent
-
Virginia
Sales Agent