Area Size:  1 Km²
Maximum Altitude:  165 meters / 551 feet
Island Highlights:  Diving, Darwin's Arch, Whale Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Silky Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Frigatebirds, Red-Footed Boobies, Vampire Finches

Introduction

Darwin Island, named in honour of the archipelagos most illustrious visitor Charles Darwin is situated in the north west of the main Galapagos Island group and is the northernmost island in the Galapagos.  It is among one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, covering just one square kilometre, but in terms of diving, its appeal is enormous.

Due to the fragile environments that exist on Darwin, the national park prohibits any land visits.  Therefore it can only be visited by divers and liveaboard trips.
This premier diving location offers divers fantastic opportunities to dive with the largest marine animals of the Galapagos as well as providing scope for some spectacular underwater photography.

Like its neighbouring Island just 40 km away - Wolf, Darwin has no dry landing sites and remains solely as a diving destination, with its main attractions to be found in its surrounding waters of the Pacific Ocean.  Although the diving here is likely to be challenging, even for the most experienced of divers, the potential rewards are well worth the effort.  For those wishing to dive in the waters around Darwin, it is worth bearing in mind that there are often very big swells and  heavy underwater currents here, consequently divers need to remain vigilant at all times. 

Famed as being one of the best diving locations in the World, Darwin has a multitude of fascinating marine life, just waiting to be explored, much of which can be experienced all year round.  Divers are likely to have encounters with sea turtles, dolphins and a wide variety of colourful fish as well as rare opportunities to swim with eagle rays, spotted morays and manta rays.  Furthermore, due to the cooler currents, divers can also expect to see such shark species as hammerheads, Galapagos and the incredible whale shark.