Dive Review of
NEMO in
Galapagos Islands

[Unspecified]Carib

Dive Conditions

[Unspecified]100 feet/60 min  

[None]  

Overall Rating

My wife is an avid snorkeler, but not a diver, and hates being trapped with
dive nuts, so Darwin and Wolf were definitely out. Pre trip, we were
advised that there aren't many boats that do the standard Southern route
(called Naturalist cruises) and also offer Scuba. That is not true: there
appeared to be many.   Non-the-less, the NEMO, an 82 foot cataraman, turned
out to be a wonderful choice. In excellent condition, wonderful crew, and
fabulous Alexsis- our guide topside was incredibly knowledgeble- and as I
was the only diver, he took me to some great spots- only 3-5 dives , but
they were great, and I did a few more land based dives later, so I was far
from dissappointed.
Gordon Rocks- our first dive, was electifying, "walls" of
Hammerheads, A large Bull shark being harassed by two sea lions (that was a
surprise), many white tips and Galapagos sharks, turtles and eagle rays,
and a very healthy assortment of fish. Each dive was similar, mild to
strong currents, extreme temp. variations- about 70 f on the surface,
dropped off into the 50's at depth. I found a 5mm 1-piece best, I took
alittle 2 mm beany as I don't like hoods, and tough 3 mm gloves were
critical on the one dive withmax current and surge to grab a rock here and
there. 
Took my reg/computer and Rx mask and 1 mm wetsuit was great (not critical
this time of year)for snorkeling. Rental gear decent, was very glad I
didn't take full gear, as the travel (2 days each way) arduous.
Only downside to a sailboat- tiny cabins, little real sailing, a fair
amount of noisey motoring (ear plugs and I-pod God sent) the great crew and
travel mates-4 Swiss Docs and spouses (I'm a Doc) more than made up for
it.
In Puerto Aroya, we spent 5 days after our week at sea, we stayed at the
Red Mangrove Inn, a very cool place right near The Chas Darwin Center:
Artsy colorful, and they up graded us to the "minor" suite-ask
for it even if you have to pay more- 360 views of the sea and surrounds.
For day trip diving, I checked out the touted Scuba Iguana- they seemed
very professional, but had large classes of newbies, and full boats with
check out dives; so I went with Scuba Extra across from Hotel Silberstein.
Good choice for me, with 3 or 4 experienced divers, and two dive masters,
spoiled again!
On my last day on Island,I biked around, and came upon the Hyperbaric
Chamber, so I went in talked with the Docs and got a tour. First class
small facility. They treat mostly local "fisherman" who violate
all the profiles, next dive masters, and only 3-5 tourists a year. They
wanted me to spread the word that Fishing Bans were being violated, as the
Mayor of the Galaps- afisherman-threw his polital support behind the
President of the Counrty in return for lack of enforcement of the ban.
Potentially devastating to the ecology.They were upset and worried. I was
upset when I showed them my DAN Card and asked if it would cover a series
of Chamber treatments- they said the reimbursement didn't come close to
covering their expense- No!  I e-mailed DAN this iinfo a few weeks ago, and
so far, no response. Perhaps Undercurrent could investigate?
So go the the Galapagos soon, before all the Sharks are in Asian soup!

 

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