Punta Vicente Roca

Punta Vicente Roca

Ecuador · Pacific Ocean
OVERVIEW

Why dive in Punta Vicente Roca?

Punta Vicente Roca, located on the northwest coast of Isabela Island, is a unique dive site defined by a dramatic vertical wall and cold-water upwellings from the Cromwell Current. This nutrient-rich environment creates an exceptional marine ecosystem, attracting elusive Mola mola (ocean sunfish) to cleaning stations, along with playful Galapagos penguins and curious sea lions. Divers can also encounter green turtles, schooling fish, and various endemic species within its shallow caves and along its vibrant reef formations.

WATER TEMPERATURE -
VISIBILITY -
CURRENT STRENGTHStrong  –  Very strong

BEST SEASON

Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May.
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
LOCAL MARINE LIFE IN PUNTA VICENTE ROCA

Featured Animals 10

SIGHTING PROBABILITY
  • Unlikely
  • Likely
  • Very likely
Galapagos Fur SealFrequent sightings

Galapagos Fur Seal

Arctocephalus galapagoensis

The Galapagos Fur Seal is the smallest of all pinnipeds, found only in the Galapagos Islands. They have a dense underfur and are known for their pronounced pointy snouts.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Galapagos SharkFrequent sightings

Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

The Galapagos Shark is a large requiem shark found in tropical waters. It is recognizable by its streamlined body and distinctive fins. This shark is known for forming schools near sea mounts and is often seen in coastal and reef areas.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Galápagos Sea LionFrequent sightings

Galápagos Sea Lion

Zalophus wollebaeki

The Galápagos Sea Lion is the smallest sea lion species, endemic to the Galápagos Archipelago and some areas off mainland Ecuador. They are highly social, forming colonies on sandy beaches and rocky shores, and are known for their playful and inquisitive nature. Their diet primarily consists of fish, squid, octopus, and crustaceans, which they forage at shallow to moderate depths.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Giant Oceanic Manta RayFrequent sightings

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Mobula birostris

The Giant Oceanic Manta Ray is the world's largest ray, with a disc width that can reach up to 9 meters. It is a circumglobal species found in tropical to temperate pelagic waters, often near coastlines, reefs, and in the open ocean, diving to depths of 1,000 meters. These filter feeders primarily consume zooplankton, including mesopelagic sources, and can also eat small fish. While generally solitary, they aggregate at feeding grounds and cleaning stations. The species is currently listed as Endangered due to overfishing and low reproductive rates.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Green Sea TurtleFrequent sightings

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Marine IguanaFrequent sightings

Marine Iguana

Amblyrhynchus cristatus

The Marine Iguana is the only lizard adapted to life in the sea. Found only on the Galápagos Islands, it feeds primarily on algae and can dive up to a meter deep. Adult males are significantly larger than females, and their ability to excrete salt is a unique adaptation to their marine environment.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Ocean SunfishFrequent sightings

Ocean Sunfish

Mola mola

The Ocean Sunfish is one of the heaviest known bony fish, notable for its round, flat body. It often basks on its side at the surface of the ocean and is a diurnal predator feeding primarily on jellyfish.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Pacific SeahorseFrequent sightings

Pacific Seahorse

Hippocampus ingens

The Pacific Seahorse is a relatively large seahorse species found in the eastern Pacific. They have distinctive elongated bodies and often change color to blend with their surroundings.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Scalloped Hammerhead SharkFrequent sightings

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna lewini

The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a large, migratory shark easily recognized by the central indentation on its hammer-shaped head. These sharks are found globally in warm temperate and tropical coastal and oceanic waters, often forming large schools around seamounts and islands. They are primarily nocturnal foragers, feeding on a diverse diet of bony fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Whitetip Reef SharkFrequent sightings

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus

The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
ALSO IN Punta Vicente Roca

More marine life 24

LOCATION

Where is Punta Vicente Roca

Pacific Ocean · Ecuador