Vacation is meant for pure relaxation, unwinding and to step away from reality for a while. One of the top places to visit to experience this relaxation is the Galapagos Islands. These incredibly gorgeous islands provide visitors with incredible ocean views for pure relaxation, as well as diving encounters that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If you wish to experience the sea creatures of the Galapagos Islands up close, a Galapagos diving cruise will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Swimming with Hammerhead Sharks
When you take part in a diving excursion in the Galapagos Islands, you will experience wildlife and sea creatures like you have never seen before. The most beautiful sea animals in the world take up residence in the Galapagos, offering divers an up close and personal encounter with these animals that cannot be found anywhere else. One of these creatures is the hammerhead shark. These sharks, which have a hammer-shaped head, measure around 20 feet long and reach 1,000 pounds, making them a powerful sea creature. Seeing a hammerhead shark up close is an unbelievable experience for any diver. Because a large majority of them live off of the islands of Galapagos, you are sure to encounter them on your dive.
While you swim near the Wolf or Darwin islands of Galapagos, you will encounter hammerhead sharks in a variety of numbers. Generally, they swim in small schools of four to five sharks, but there are times you could encounter hundreds of sharks at once. Hammerhead sharks are not harmful to humans, but there are certain tips to follow to get close to them as they do spook easily.
Getting Close to Hammerhead Sharks
While it seems odd that hammerhead sharks are spooked by humans, it is true. On your Galapagos diving cruise, if you wish to get a picture or video of the sharks around the islands, you will need to remain motionless. Any attempt at swimming toward the sharks will send them swimming rapidly in the other direction, causing you to lose your chance at a memorable photo. If you do need to swim, hammerhead sharks are less affected by parallel swimming rather than swimming directly at them. The slower you swim and the less commotion you make the more likely you will be able to get close to the hammerhead sharks on your excursion.
