I just returned from diving on the Aggressor II in the Galapagos Islands. I was a little concerned after having read about the diving fatality in Feb on the same boat. The write up as to what had occurred was confusing so I was a little concerned as to what to expect. My husband was leading the group of 14 divers from Santa Cruz, CA.
All our divers had cold water experiance however most had only dove warm water the last couple years. We offered a pool season and a cold water dive to get the divers into 7ml suits and to work on their weights, prior to the trip.
Our group experiance few problems on the trip. Jaime was one of the DM's and he was very professional. We were taken out to the dive sites in inflatables, each with a DM and 7 divers. Once you get to the dive location you are expected to be ready to go. That means you and your buddy check each others air, have your fins on, and make sure your mask is clear of your hood. When the Dm give the ready sign and all are ready every goes off backwards on the count of 3 and goes right down. this is to prevent divers from going off hapazard and hitting others on the head.
The water was rough at the sights, sometimes we had a 8' swell with breaking wind waves. Once under water it was calmer but there were strong currents. The best vis. we had was about 43' and water temp at the southern islands was around 62. When we dove at Darwin we would go to the bottom and hold on to a rock and weight for the rest of the group then use our hands to pull ourselves to the ledge where we hung and watched the hammerheads, galapagos sharks and whale sharks, and spotted rays. when a whale shark would come in we would shove off the ledge and swim toward it to observe it, then swim back to the ledge and regroup. You had to watch your depth and control your bouncey at all times.
The diving was great the boat was great and the crew was great. That said, I would not recommend this dive location to a new diver. This is advanced diving, cold, deep and rough conditions with strong currents. If a diver is not comfortable in a 7 mm suit in these conditions it would be dangerous diving. Once you roll off that inflatable there is no time to adjust gear on the surface as the currents are too strong and the waves too rough. A diver must be comfortable enough to start an immediate descent and must be able to control bouancy at depth. The DM at briefing gives instructions on how deep you are to go and you have to follow direction, no matter what the Dm is doing on the dive, he will try to stay below you to keep you up, don't follow him down below the depth your instructed to stay at..
I talked to one of the divers with us who travels around the world diving. She said that this Aggressor in the Galapagos is way different than any other she has ever been on. She was used to stepping from boat to dingy in very calm conditions and very relaxing entries into warm calm water.
In the Galapagos we were boarding inflatables in full gear that were bucking at the side of the boat. Several times divers stumbles getting out or in but the crew did a great job holding on to everyone. We did all sport some bruises from bumping around.
The diving is world class and exciting but not for everyone. After diving this location, Im surprised there arent more diving accidents due to the conditions. I think the fact that there are so few deaths says a lot about the job that the DM's do keeping people safe.
So if your a diver who is thinking of diving in the Galapagos, you'll love it. However, make sure your an experianced, comfortable diver and in good condition. This is one location you should bring your own gear so your arent trying to dive in these conditions with unfamiluar gear.
I hope this helps to give an idea of what to expect to some considering going to this location..Also make sure you got sea sick medication on hand!
All our divers had cold water experiance however most had only dove warm water the last couple years. We offered a pool season and a cold water dive to get the divers into 7ml suits and to work on their weights, prior to the trip.
Our group experiance few problems on the trip. Jaime was one of the DM's and he was very professional. We were taken out to the dive sites in inflatables, each with a DM and 7 divers. Once you get to the dive location you are expected to be ready to go. That means you and your buddy check each others air, have your fins on, and make sure your mask is clear of your hood. When the Dm give the ready sign and all are ready every goes off backwards on the count of 3 and goes right down. this is to prevent divers from going off hapazard and hitting others on the head.
The water was rough at the sights, sometimes we had a 8' swell with breaking wind waves. Once under water it was calmer but there were strong currents. The best vis. we had was about 43' and water temp at the southern islands was around 62. When we dove at Darwin we would go to the bottom and hold on to a rock and weight for the rest of the group then use our hands to pull ourselves to the ledge where we hung and watched the hammerheads, galapagos sharks and whale sharks, and spotted rays. when a whale shark would come in we would shove off the ledge and swim toward it to observe it, then swim back to the ledge and regroup. You had to watch your depth and control your bouncey at all times.
The diving was great the boat was great and the crew was great. That said, I would not recommend this dive location to a new diver. This is advanced diving, cold, deep and rough conditions with strong currents. If a diver is not comfortable in a 7 mm suit in these conditions it would be dangerous diving. Once you roll off that inflatable there is no time to adjust gear on the surface as the currents are too strong and the waves too rough. A diver must be comfortable enough to start an immediate descent and must be able to control bouancy at depth. The DM at briefing gives instructions on how deep you are to go and you have to follow direction, no matter what the Dm is doing on the dive, he will try to stay below you to keep you up, don't follow him down below the depth your instructed to stay at..
I talked to one of the divers with us who travels around the world diving. She said that this Aggressor in the Galapagos is way different than any other she has ever been on. She was used to stepping from boat to dingy in very calm conditions and very relaxing entries into warm calm water.
In the Galapagos we were boarding inflatables in full gear that were bucking at the side of the boat. Several times divers stumbles getting out or in but the crew did a great job holding on to everyone. We did all sport some bruises from bumping around.
The diving is world class and exciting but not for everyone. After diving this location, Im surprised there arent more diving accidents due to the conditions. I think the fact that there are so few deaths says a lot about the job that the DM's do keeping people safe.
So if your a diver who is thinking of diving in the Galapagos, you'll love it. However, make sure your an experianced, comfortable diver and in good condition. This is one location you should bring your own gear so your arent trying to dive in these conditions with unfamiluar gear.
I hope this helps to give an idea of what to expect to some considering going to this location..Also make sure you got sea sick medication on hand!
