Wolf Island, Galápagos

Unparalleled diving, and home to vampires...

What you need to know about Wolf Island, Galápagos

Wolf Island, also known as Wenman, was named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf. It has an area of only half a square mile yet rises up to 830 feet above the waves. Like its neighbor, Darwin, Wolf is located about 100 miles northwest of Isabela Island on the so-called Wolf-Darwin volcanic ridge.

Wolf and Darwin are the most remote islands in the Galápagos. Their isolation and rugged cliffs mean humans first set foot on Wolf only in 1964, and with the aid of a helicopter. Wolf is all that remains of the top of a huge extinct volcano that rises over 3,200ft from the seabed below.

Wolf is most famous for its marine life, and the dive sites here are ranked among the best in the world and are noted for the presence of a large school of hammerhead sharks. Whales, dolphins and whale sharks are also frequent visitors.

Despite the isolation of Wolf, there are plenty of terrestrial inhabitants, including seals, frigatebirds, boobies, and marine iguanas. However, the most famous resident of Wolf is the appropriately named Vampire Finch. Found nowhere else, this bird feeds on the blood of the local boobies.

Interesting facts about Wolf

Vampire Finch behaviour is thought to have developed due to Wolf's very dry climate

Vampire Finches also feed on booby eggs - rolling them over until they fall and break open

Wolf Island is named after a German geologist who also has a volcano on Isabela named after him

Wolf Island's dives are rewarding but challenging, and not suitable for beginners

Pictures of Wolf

Highlights in Wolf

Fondeadero

This is one of the only places in the whole Galápagos where night diving is allowed. Fondeadero means "anchoring site", and it's well names - this is the perfect place for a night dive as it's protected from the winds and currents. This makes it possible to enjoy night diving, and to witness a whole new side to Galápagos' undersea world.

Highlights to a night dive here include the chance of seeing the see glow gently with an eerie light, thanks to the bioluminescence of tiny plankton in the water when conditions are right. You've also got an excellent chance of being joined by Galápagos Fur Seals on your dives here.

The Landslide Dive Site

El Derrumbe is particularly well known as THE dive in Galápagos to see Hammerheads and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have alse been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals and many more iconic Galápagos creatures.

North Islet / La Banana

North Islet is a small outcrop just off the north coast of Wolf, and because of the wall's shape it's known to locals as "the banana"!

This is a stunning sheer wall with caverns, tunnels and other wonderful rock formations. Depth here ranges from 30 to 120ft and the visibility is usually excellent, varying from 40 to 80ft depending on season. There is always a moderate to heavy current here.

A superb site for spotting Galápagos sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, green turtles and a wide range of fantastic Galápagos marine life.

Shark Bay

Shark Bay at Wolf Island is an underwater visitor point well known as being among THE best dive sites in Galápagos to see Hammerheads and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have alse been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals and many more iconic Galápagos creatures.

The Cave Dive Site

The Cave is a well known as being among THE best diving sites in Galápagos to see Hammerheads and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have alse been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles and many more iconic Galápagos creatures here at the iconic Wolf Island.