Galapagos

11-18 MAY 2024 || 18-25 MAY 2024

11-18 MAY 2024 SOLD OUT

18-25 MAY 2024 SOLD OUT

OVERVIEW

The Galapagos Islands are a unique natural paradise, teeming with diverse wildlife and captivating landscapes. Home to exclusive species like giant tortoises and marine iguanas, these remote islands offer an unforgettable opportunity for close encounters with nature. With volcanic terrain, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters, the Galapagos provide a breathtaking backdrop for exploration. Visitors are immersed in a world where biodiversity thrives, leaving them with a profound appreciation for the delicate ecosystems of this extraordinary destination.

SCUBA DIVING IN GALAPAGOS

Your Galapagos Liveaboard diving adventures will encompass everything from sharks to nudibranchs, and more. The islands are best known for amazing shark diving around Wolf and Darwin Islands. These small and remote islands are best reached by liveaboard vessels for divers. Your diving experience here will generally include Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, and lots of schooling hammerheads being cleaned by king angelfish. Seeing marine turtles, schools of tuna, eagle rays, and sea lions are very common, and seeing a whale shark is very possible from June through November. All the islands you travel to are amazing sites for underwater photography.

galapagos islands

There are also many unique things to view on land. Consider adding on some time to your trip to experience the land animals as well. And of course, a trip to the Galapagos would not be complete without taking time to watch their most famous inhabitants - the giant tortoise!

The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 65 - 75°F from December through May and 60 - 70°F June through November. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 75°F or higher in the rainy season (December - May) to the mid ’60s°F during the dry season (June - November), with nearly constant sea breezes. Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7mm wetsuit June - November with a hooded vest and gloves and a minimum 5 mm wetsuit December - May. Gloves and hoods are strongly recommended.

Your Galapagos liveaboard dives will be done from the pangas with an easy backward roll into the water. After you dive, your tank will be lifted back into the panga and you will board via its stern ladders or with assistance from the side.

why visit in may?

Pleasant weather

May is the peak tourist season in the Galapagos Islands, with pleasant and warm weather that is ideal for diving. The water temperature is usually around 22 degrees Celsius, making diving more comfortable and enjoyable.

Rich and diverse marine life

May is one of the peak periods for marine life activity in the Galapagos Islands. You will have the opportunity to encounter various marine creatures such as turtles, sharks, sea lions, rays, and numerous species of colorful fish. The incredible species diversity here offers an unforgettable diving experience.

Excellent marine conditions

May is the dry season in the Galapagos Islands, and the ocean conditions are generally calm. The water is clear and transparent, with high visibility, allowing you to better appreciate the beauty of the underwater world and its ecosystems.

Breeding season of rare species

May is also the breeding season for many unique species in the Galapagos Islands. You may have the chance to witness the spectacular sights of turtles coming ashore to lay eggs and sea lions playing with their pups. This is a rare experience that allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the wonders of nature.

Unique bird watching opportunities

May is also the season when many Galapagos Islands birds breed and search for food. You can observe many unique bird species such as blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies soaring in the sky or nesting on the islands. This provides you with abundant bird watching opportunities, enriching your natural experience beyond diving.

itinerary

Fly into Baltra Airport (GPS), arriving at least one day before embarkation date. On the day of departure, you have the flexibility to choose any available flight for your departure. We recommend opting for early flights due to the limited options for activities and destinations on the island, making afternoon flights entail a considerable waiting period.

DAY 1: BALTRA

Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning or the day before. The dive guides will meet the guests at the airport between 11:00 am and 12 pm and escort them to the Galapagos liveaboard, Tiburon Explorer®. Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, organize equipment and listen to the safety briefings.

DAY 2: BALTRA NORTH 2 DIVES

Equipment check, 7:00 and 10:00 dives

Sightings include rays and schools of fish.

Afternoon North Seymour land visit. Walk the path around North Seymour Island to see the large colonies of Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds. Sighting of Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas are also common.

Depart for Wolf Island (long transit).

DAY 3: WOLF ISLAND 3-4 DIVES

10:30. 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Possible night dive.

Sightings often include hammerheads, whale shark (in season), eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.

DAY 4: DARWIN 4 DIVES

6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives

Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season) eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.

Transit to Wolf Island.

DAY 5: WOLF ISLAND 3-4 DIVES

6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives

Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.

Transit to Cabo Douglas (12 hours).

DAY 6: CABO DOUGLAS 1-2 DIVES

Sightings include marine iguanas.

Transit to Punta Vicente Roca.

DAY 7: PUNTA VICENTE ROCA 1-2 DIVES

Sightings often include mola mola, turtles and macro life

Transit to Cousins Rock (10 hours).

DAY 8: COUSINS ROCK 2 DIVES

6:30 and 9:30 dives

This is a great macro diving with an excellent chance of seeing sea horses, sea lions and eagle rays. Lunch will be served while transiting to Santa Cruz (3 hours). Travel by bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands to visit the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Transfer to the town of Puerto Ayora. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Return to the Tiburon Explorer at 8:30pm.

DAY 9: BALTRA

Depart the vessel by 9am. Transfer to the airport.

TIBURON EXPLORER

The NEW, elegant & spacious 16-passenger M/V Tiburon Explorer Galapagos diving liveaboard provides 9 air-conditioned staterooms located on the main and lower decks; all of which have private bathrooms and ocean views. Two cabins situated on the main deck have queen beds only. All other cabins have twin beds and the cabins can be converted to queen beds for couples. The yacht features a partially covered sun deck with a hot tub and ample seating, a salon area with dining, a bar, and an entertainment area. WiFi with Satellite Internet connection is available onboard.

The Tiburon Explorer's large dive deck includes a bathroom, a large camera table with a charging station, individual storage areas, rinse bins for cameras, and another for gear. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.

SUN DECK

The Sun Deck features a large lounge area, bar, a partially covered sun deck and a hot tub with ample seating.

MAIN DECK

The Main Deck features six guest staterooms, 1-6, each with private bath and shower, air-conditioning, ample storage and large windows providing guests with amazing ocean views. Cabins 1 and 2 (Front) have queen beds only. Cabins 3-6 have queen or twin beds. The dining area, lounge/entertainment area, bar and large dive deck are also located on the Main Deck.

LOWER DECK

The Lower Deck comprises 3 suites, 7-9, each with private bath and shower, queen or twin beds, air-conditioning, port windows and ample storage. The 9th Cabin is only available for people who purchased a guaranteed single occupancy supplement.

RATES

USD 6,995 stateroom main deck

USD 6,995 stateroom lower deck

Main deck Staterooms (1-6): Twins or queen beds, dresser, closet and private ensuite bathroom with shower.

Lower deck suites (7-9): large port windows, twin or queen beds, lounge area with sofa bed and private ensuite bathroom with shower.

Plus: Galapagos National Park Fee ($100), Chamber Support Fee ($35), Tourist card ($20), and fuel surcharge. Airfare to Galapagos Islands and land options before/after cruise additional (Click here to check important information about domestic flights from Mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands). Guaranteed Single Occupancy is billed an additional 80% of the retail stateroom/suite price. Click here to check our current onboard charges. Onboard charges may be paid in cash or with Visa or MasterCard only. US Dollars larger than $20 are not accepted on board or at local banks. Credit card payments aboard the vessel and elsewhere in Ecuador are subject to a 12% IVA and 5% service fee.

Package includes: 7 nights/8 days aboard the vessel; up to 4 dives daily (weather permitting); free nitrox; 3 meals daily, except last evening's meal; between-dive snacks; towels, linens, etc.; use of tanks, weights and weight belts; all air fills; transfers within Galapagos Islands for same day arrivals & departures; local alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. Rates may increase for existing reservations and will be confirmed no later than 12 months before the charter departure date.

All pricing are in US Dollars, per person double occupancy.