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Dive Review of SCUBA IGUANA/ROYAL PALM in
Galapagos Islands

SCUBA IGUANA/ROYAL PALM, Feb, 2009,

by Michael Kazacos, NY, USA ( 1 report with 1 Helpful vote). Report 4651 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments As I said this was our second trip to Galapagos in two years with the same dive company SCUBA IGUANA and stayed in the highlands again at the Royal Palm Resort. The 20 minute taxi ride into center of town cost $ 7.00. We went to Floreana which was outstanding and also to Seymour. We wanted to go to Gordon Rocks where we know there are schools of hammerheads but they just go there on Sundays. Every day is a different Island so check with Scuba Iguana when booking. We saw tons of sharks, close within 5 feet and lots of sea lions who wanted to play and show off. I was wondering if going to Galapgos would be as magical the second time around and I can say that it DEFINITELY was!! We also visited the Darwin Research Center and played with the giant tortoises. The marine iguanas at Tortuga Bay were incredible. Also the Blue Footed Boobis and Frigate Birds and Pelicans and Sea Lions in town nightly at 6 PM begging the Fisherman for scraps while cleaning their fish. We have been to Australia a couple times, Canary Islands, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, Bermuda, Caymans, Honduras, and of course the Keys but there is absolutely NOTHING like the Galapagos Islands. We stayed in Santa Cruz and took day trips with Scuba Iguana and Paulo Tobar who is an awesome divemaster. I liked the fact that maximum was 8 divers with 2 divemasters. I don't think I will ever get tired of the Galapgos Islands. The amount of marine life on every dive is mind boggling. You don't know what to look at first. If you are more fond of coral then you better go elsewhere as this is mostly lava rock from the volcanos. The local people are very friendly and many of the taxi drivers are divers....for lobster. The one thing that is hard to get used to is when you are in very warm water and then get a current of ice cold water...it even looks different so you can see it coming. We even saw penguins. Next trip will be Floreana again and definitely want to check out Gordon Rocks. So many islands, always something new. Make it a must place to dive before you dry out your wet suit permanently. At age 65, I took up diving 3 years ago, traveled extensively and have 40 dives.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 26-50 dives
Where else diving Second time in Galapagos in two years and is definitely our favorite and we have been all over the world. Paulo and Scuba Iguana are awesome. Best Dive Company we have ever used!
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 70-80°F / 21-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-40 Ft/ 6-12 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Safety Test in water before dive for neutral buoncy, removal of mask and regulator. max time 60 min. max 8 divers with 2 dive masters.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments [None]Took a few hundred photos and divemaster Paulo also took several and provided a disk for $20.00.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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