Visitor site · Darwin Island
Darwin's Arch, Darwin: the famous arch collapsed in 2021, but the dive at its two pillars still brings hammerheads, Galápagos sharks and whale sharks.
About the site
Darwin's Arch was a natural arch of rock about a kilometer southeast of Darwin Island, about 43 meters (141 feet) high and the most photographed landmark of Galápagos diving. On 17 May 2021 its top collapsed through natural erosion, leaving two columns of rock now nicknamed the Pillars of Evolution.
Underwater, the site is as remarkable as ever. The pillars stand on a reef platform of lava and coral that drops to a sandy slope, El Arenal. Divers wait at the edge of the platform, holding on to the rocks, while schools of scalloped hammerheads, Galápagos sharks and silky sharks pass in the current, and from about June to November whale sharks glide by. Eagle rays, green turtles, dolphins, tuna and walls of jacks complete one of the great dives of the world.
Frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Darwin and fly around the pillars.
Darwin's Arch can only be visited on liveaboard dive cruises, which usually spend a day or two at Darwin. The currents are strong and the surge can be heavy, so it is a dive for experienced divers only.
Live dates & prices
Darwin's Arch is not on our current cruise schedules. These cruises visit other sites on Darwin Island; ask us and we will tell you which routes come closest.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2026 | |||||
| 8 – 15 Dec8 days / 7 nights |
 Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$4,695 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departureAvailable |
| 22 – 29 Dec8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$4,695 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure1 place left |
| 29 Dec – 5 Jan8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$4,695 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departureAvailable |
| January 2027 | |||||
| 5 – 12 Jan8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$5,395 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 12 – 19 Jan8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$5,395 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 19 – 26 Jan8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$5,395 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 26 Jan – 2 Feb8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$5,395 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| February 2027 | |||||
| 2 – 9 Feb8 days / 7 nights |
Aqua DivingDiving cruise · 16 guests
|
A · Darwin, Wolf, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$5,395 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
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