Dive With Even More Hammerheads on This Galapagos Liveaboard!

Why we love it

The Galapagos probably have the most spectacular diving on the planet: schools of hammerheads at Darwin's Arch, Galapagos sharks and eagle rays at Wolf Island, giant manta rays at Cabo Marshall, schooling fish in their thousands... Sea iguanas, speedy penguins and playful sea lions are also frequently seen at the Galapagos, what a sight! No doubt the Galapagos has some of the healthiest marine life of pacific ocean - this is why it is one of our top favorites! With four full days in Darwin and Wolf, and two shore excursions, this mid-range liveaboard has the perfect itinerary for big pelagic enthusiasts, and those who want to experience the Galapagos on land.

Conservation

The liveaboard is a Green Fins partner. The NGO educates and empowers people to reduce pressures on coral reefs by adopting sustainable tourism measures.

Who is it for?

For passionate experienced divers. Strong currents attract the pelagic, this is why most sites are challenging. Minimum of 50 logged dives required. Two land excursions.

Prices and Dates

Departure and Arrival are from San Cristobal, in Galapagos Islands.

Dive briefing!

Marine Life

• Galapagos Marine Reserve, established in 1998, is the second-largest marine preserve in the world
• The Marine Reserve has been added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 (an expansion from the Galapagos National Park which was recognized in 1978)
• Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galapagos are a "melting pot" of marine species: the extraordinary diversity of marine life is unmatched anywhere else in the world
• Nearly 20% of marine life in Galapagos is endemic, found nowhere else on earth, such as the world’s only marine iguana and the most northern-living penguin
• Due to the island topography, pelagic species such as tuna, manta ray, and hammerhead shark can be seen extremely close to the shoreline
• The diversity of underwater terrain is exceptional and cannot be found anywhere else in the world

Dive Conditions

• Season: December to May is when manta rays are more commonly sighted. Warmest season but also expect daily rain showers and cloudier skies. June to November is when the Humboldt current comes up from the south, bringing with it plankton and making this the best time for seeing whale sharks. Cooler temperatures with occasional showers.
• Currents: strong to very strong
• Visibility: 10 to 20 m (30 to 66 ft)
• Water Temperature: 23° to 29°C (73° to 84°F) from December to May and 16° to 24°C (61° to 75°F) between June and November.
• Depth: shallow and deep dives

Dive Sites

• On a typical day the liveaboard offers up to 4 day dives.
• A total of 19 dives for a 7-night itinerary, with 4 foull days at Darqin and Wolf.
• Up to 30 dives for the 10-night itinerary.
• No night dive in the Galapagos.
• Note that to allow you to explore the Galapagos to its fullest, on days 2 and 7, dives 3 and 4 will be substituted by island visits at North Seymour, and Santa Cruz.
• Dive sites visited are: Baltra North East, several sites around Darwin and Worf islands, and Cousin Rock

The Team

• Dive operator in the area since 2007
• Nitrox course possible on board - ask us
• Languages spoken on board: English and Spanish
• 8 people maximum per dive guide

Safety Information

• Equipment Recommended: a 7 mm long wetsuit, a hood, a dive computer, an SMB, dive gloves, a reef hook, a torch, and the usual diving equipment.
• Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote.
• Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island

Visas, flights, and more!

Visa Requirements

• You must have a valid passport to enter Ecuador, and a return ticket
• Most citizens do not require a visa to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the period you intend to stay
• Please check current visa policies that apply for your country on Ecuador Virtual Consulate

How to get there

• You need to first go to Quito, at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Ecuador. Plan to arrive at least 1 day before the cruise departure.
• Take a domestic flight from Quito to San Cristobal (SCY) in the Galapagos Islands.
• Most international flights will anyway arrive into Quito after the domestic connection to San Cristóbal has departed, making an overnight stay a necessity.
• In all cases, we recommend to spend an additional night before and after the trip to ensure you do not miss any connection and are well-rested before diving.

More...

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent, and long clothing (dengue is present in the Galápagos).
• December to May has an average daytime air temperature of 23° (73°F) with daily rain showers and cloudier skies.
• June to November is drier, but with cooler temperatures - an average of 21° (70°F) - with local rain showers generally confined to the highlands of the larger islands. Evening temperatures can drop to just 15° (59°F) , so bring extra trousers, jumpers, and a windbreaker.