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Galápagos Shark Diving operates small-group liveaboard expeditions in the Galápagos Islands that pair high-calibre diving with hands-on scientific engagement. Photographer: Jonathan R Green.
Galápagos Shark Diving combines world-class diving with meaningful scientific impact
By Tiffany West
Briefly …
Conservation-focused operator Galápagos Shark Diving directs profits from its Citizen Science Expeditions into whale shark satellite tagging and girls’ science education in the Galápagos Islands, demonstrating how dive tourism can actively support research rather than simply observe it.
Founded in 2017, Galápagos Shark Diving operates small-group liveaboard expeditions in the Galápagos Islands that pair high-calibre diving with hands-on scientific engagement. Rather than positioning conservation as an optional add-on, the company embeds research directly into its expedition model, directing profits into marine science and education initiatives.
The need is tangible. Global whale shark populations have declined significantly over the past 75 years. As a highly migratory species, whale sharks travel vast distances across open ocean, often beyond the boundaries of marine protected areas. With only a small percentage of the world’s oceans fully protected, they remain vulnerable to vessel strikes, fisheries bycatch, plastic pollution, and the growing pressures of climate change. Satellite tagging and long-term monitoring are critical to understanding their movement patterns and identifying key habitats requiring protection.
Since 2019, Galápagos Shark Diving has contributed more than USD$112,000 to marine conservation through its expedition model. In 2025, Galápagos Shark Diving donated USD$31,523.40 to conservation initiatives in the Galápagos. The majority – USD$29,311.06 – was allocated to the Galápagos Whale Shark Project, supporting satellite tagging, photo-identification databases, field logistics, and ongoing data analysis. These funds have enabled the deployment of six satellite tags during the 2025 research season.
An additional USD 2,212.34 was directed to Chicas con Agallas (Gill’s Club), an educational program operating across San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela Islands. The initiative provides girls aged 8–12 with hands-on scientific learning, mentorship, and exposure to marine research, with the aim of strengthening female representation in science and conservation within the islands’ communities.
“The initiative provides girls aged 8–12 with hands-on scientific learning, mentorship, and exposure to marine research, with the aim of strengthening female representation in science and conservation within the islands’ communities.”
As part of its Citizen Science Expeditions, divers travel alongside active researchers from the Galápagos Whale Shark Project, contributing directly to data collection and research activity. In recognition of this involvement, the company launched its 2025 ‘Name a Whale Shark’ initiative, inviting participating divers to submit names for newly tagged individuals. The number of sharks eligible for naming corresponds directly to the number of satellite tags funded each year, an important reminder that conservation outcomes remain tied to sustained financial commitment.
For divers seeking experiences that extend beyond encounter and observation, models like this suggest an evolving role for tourism, one in which travel can help generate the data and funding required to protect the very ecosystems it depends upon.
To learn more Galápagos Shark Diving, you can visit their website here, and connect with them on Instagram here. To learn more about the Galápagos Whale Shark Project, visit their website here.
Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.