Galapagos Diving - Espaņola & Surroundings
The southern most and oldest island in the Galapagos is considered by many to be one of the best. Espaņola distance from the other islands led to many species that are endemic only to this island including the hood mocking bird and the Espaņola lava lizard. Marine Iguanas on Espaņola are the largest in the islands and have a unique red and green coloring throughout the year.
Diving in Espaņola is done on the north east side there are two sites Islote Gardner and Bajo Gardner. Normally protected from the current Espaņola is normally relatively easy diving.
Islote Gardner
This small island in front of Gardner Bay is lined with vertical cliffs that drop to sandy ledges and large boulders. Diving here you will encounter the smallest of the Galapagos garden eels, snake eels, blackspot morays, Galapagos pufferfish, scorpionfish, and red-lipped batfish. On the north end of the island are twisting tunnels and to the south are caves making for interesting exploration. The area has an abundance of fish including schools of snappers, creolefish, king angelfish, butterflyfish, jacks, large pufferfish and a variety of sea urchins and sea stars.
Bajo Gardner
Normally the second dive at Espaņola begins at the sea mount. Here contrasting Islote Gardner you will find some of the largest and least timid of the Galapagos garden eels. Tiger eels and red-lipped batfish are also common. Frequent encounters include eagle rays, hammerheads, schools of snappers, brightly colored peacock flounders, moray eels, whitetips, morays, king angel fish, creolefish, yellowtail surgeons, large Spanish hogfish, flag cabrillos and Panama graysbys.
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