In this edition of Stories from the Sky, we dive into the unparalleled experience of exploring the Galapagos Islands with Max Castillo, an expert guide aboard Galapagos Sky. From breathtaking encounters with hammerhead sharks and humpback whales to the little details that make each dive unforgettable, Max shares his passion for the ocean and what makes every day underwater an extraordinary adventure for his guests.
What is your favorite part of a typical diving day in the Galapagos?
The most beautiful thing for a Galapagos guide is having excellent ocean conditions, allowing for safe dives with good marine activity.
Can you share a personal underwater moment that left a mark on you?
I could say that every dive has something special for each diver, but encounters with marine life always stand out.
I remember a diving day at Wolf Island. During my briefing, as usual, I didn’t just talk about the dive site but also about species interactions. I mentioned the feeding of hammerhead sharks in deep waters, where they find large schools of giant squid—known as Humboldt squid—rich in protein and collagen, which are essential to their diet.
The story almost sounded like a fantasy… until something incredible happened that very same day. Since the Galapagos sit over a hotspot between two tectonic plates, it seemed there was a small quake or underwater explosion just as several hammerhead sharks were arriving at the reef for their cleaning station. The sound disturbed their calm, and the schools scattered in panic. One of the sharks collided with a passing turtle, and the impact was so strong that the hammerhead vomited one of those giant squids right in front of us. The divers were mesmerized, and I was thrilled!
What has been your most memorable encounter with marine life while guiding on Galapagos Sky?
One of the most memorable moments during my guiding on Galapagos Sky was at Darwin Island, when a humpback whale and its calf hovered in front of our dive group for about 30 seconds. It was a magnificent and incredibly lucky encounter!
How do you usually prepare divers each morning for the day’s conditions?
On Galapagos Sky, we start the day with breakfast before diving. As a guide, I perform a pre-check of the dive site conditions and, during the briefing, reinforce the safety topics explained during the first dive of the cruise.
Safety information is paramount for the whole week. Every day, I present the characteristics of the site and potential risks, reinforcing the current conditions. I always motivate the divers, reminding them it will be a wonderful day… and Galapagos makes it very easy to achieve!
What usually surprises advanced divers the most when they arrive in Galapagos?
Simply knowing they are about to dive in one of the most spectacular places on the planet, where they will encounter giant and unique marine life, is incredibly exciting. For advanced divers, coming to Galapagos is truly a dream come true.
How do you adapt your guiding when you have highly experienced divers on board?
As a guide with extensive experience in this territory, I know which sites can be adapted to different diving levels. It’s important, as an experienced guide, to give your best to meet visitors’ expectations, ensuring they have a fulfilling experience rather than a monotonous one.
It’s also essential to consider ocean conditions to avoid setbacks, even with advanced divers.
What makes diving in the Galapagos different from other destinations where you’ve guided?
I’ve dived in several places around the world—not many, but enough—to understand what our guests express after diving in Galapagos: the marine life here is unique.
Encounters with schools of hammerhead sharks are frequent at Wolf and Darwin, and the technical and almost scientific information we share with clients is rare in other destinations.
The most exciting part of Galapagos is the abundance of marine life: fish, marine mammals, giant migratory species, reptiles, invertebrates, and crustaceans that have made this archipelago their home, coming from different oceanic provinces of the world.
Can you describe a “perfect day” on Galapagos Sky from your perspective as a guide?
A “truly perfect day” on Galapagos Sky is when our guests have had spectacular dives and end the day ecstatic with happiness. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a group of divers enjoy one of the best experiences of their lives.
How do you support divers after demanding dives?
After each dive, I gather the group to highlight their skills and reinforce the good practices that helped prevent or minimize incidents during the most challenging dives. I also share identifications of the marine life observed so they can learn more about the species they encountered.
What small details do you think make the experience truly special for guests?
Onboard service is key. Clear, concise dive talks, a well-planned itinerary adapted to island conditions, and a proper dive station for each guest make a difference.
Additionally, including special activities like a BBQ or a Sunset Chill Out Party at Darwin Island always creates unforgettable memories.
