Gordon Rocks
Rocas Gordon
A dive site off the northeast coast of Santa Cruz, formed by a collapsed volcanic crater. It is famous for schools of hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and eagle rays, and it suits advanced divers.
Gordon Rocks are the three remaining rocks that poke above the surface from a collapsed volcanic crater. Strong currents flow in and around the ring-shaped channel, attracting a large number of pelagic animals: schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, manta rays and schools of barracuda. It has been nicknamed 'the Galapagos washing machine.' Many dive shops in Puerto Ayora offer two dives a day, with a boat ride of about one hour. Because of strong currents and rapid descents, dives here generally require an Advanced Open Water certification and more than 30 logged dives. In the cool season, water temperatures are about 18 to 21°C, so a 7 mm wetsuit is needed.
Opening hours
Day diving trips
Nearby sights
- South Plaza Island
- El Garrapatero Beach
- Black Turtle Cove
- Cerro Crocker
- Las Bachas Beach
- North Seymour Island
- Charles Darwin Research Station
- Puerto Ayora Fish Market & Av. Charles Darwin