Daily Dive Tour – Isla de la Plata

Season

Year-Round

Duration

1 Full Day Experience

Group Size

Maximum 8 people

A Marine Adventure to the Top Diving Place on Mainland Ecuador.
Located within Machalilla National Park, Isla de la Plata is the Ecuador’s top coastal dive destination. Known for its biodiversity and dramatic underwater landscapes, the island offers close encounters with sea turtles, massive schools of fish, gorgonian gardens, rays, and—between July and September—the spectacular giant manta rays.

Tour Details

We depart from Puerto López, with about a 1-hour navigation to the island. During the ride, our crew will provide a safety briefing and background on the area. During whale season (June to September), you may spot humpbacks on the way—and if the activity is good, we’ll stop for observation and photos.

We will do two dives at iconic sites like Punta El Faro, El Acuario, or Roca Honda, where rock formations are teeming with marine life. Expect sightings of sea turtles, octopuses, rays, and moray eels. Dive depths range from 15 to 25 meters and are adapted to the group’s experience level. From July to September, the waters around Isla de la Plata host the world’s largest known aggregation of oceanic manta rays. These gentle giants, reaching up to 8 meters (26 feet) in wingspan, gather in this unique corner of the equatorial Pacific, where the largest individuals ever recorded have been measured. Curious and social, mantas often interact with divers, making every encounter unforgettable. Diving among them is more than adventure, it’s a transformative experience found nowhere else on Earth.

After diving, we’ll relax with a snack on board before heading back to Puerto López. This tour blends world class recreational diving with the magic of a unique marine ecosystem, ideal for certified divers and for beginners trying scuba for the first time through a Discovery Dive (no certification required).

Itinerary

Meet-Up at Exploramar Diving (08:00 hrs)

We’ll meet our guides at the Exploramar Diving office in Puerto López to get to know the group, try on our wetsuits, and perform a full gear check. Once ready, we’ll walk together to the dock to begin our marine adventure.

Boat Ride to Isla de la Plata (09:00 hrs)

We’ll board our boat and set course for Isla de la Plata. Along the way, we’ll enjoy stunning coastal scenery and may spot dolphins, seabirds, or other marine wildlife in their natural environment.

Two Guided Dives (10:30-15:00 hrs)

We’ll complete two guided dives, each lasting up to 60 minutes depending on depth, conditions, and diver experience. Between dives, we’ll relax on board with snacks and drinks to stay energized.

Return to Puerto López (15:30 hrs)

After an unforgettable day underwater, we’ll unwind on the boat with refreshments before sailing back. We’ll enjoy the scenic ride and arrive at the Puerto López dock around 5:00 PM.