Scuba Diving in the Galápagos Islands

You’ve been asking for it, so here it is! Join Aquaventure owners Steve & Jolene Philbrook as they head to the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS!!

There’s a reason why Galapagos liveaboard diving is on every diver’s bucket list. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Galapagos National Park is a paradise of protected islands bursting with unique marine life found nowhere else on earth. Diving adventures here encompass everything from aggregating hammerheads and whale sharks to penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and more. The sheer number of rare species is nothing short of incredible. Plus, at the isolated Wolf and Darwin Islands, you can watch as huge schools of scalloped hammerheads, silky sharks, and tuna float on by.

Also included are tours ashore to see endemic giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and more. If you like natural spaces, sharks, and spectacular diving, then liveaboard scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands is a must!

ITINERARY

Thursday-Friday: Quito
Guests arrive and transfer for a two-night stay in Quito.  Friday, the group tours the city and experiences the TelefériQo (gondola lift) from the city center up the east slope of the Pichinicha Volcano to the Cruz Loma viewpoint.  This adventure provides unparalleled views of the city and neighboring surroundings to the summit of Cruz Loma.  The group will visit the  Intinam museum, located directly on the Equator, to experience interactive exhibits and plenty of amazing photo ops.

Saturday: Baltra
Guests fly from the mainland of Ecuador (Quito) to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra), arriving in the late morning. 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.

Sunday: 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)

Monday: Wolf Island (4 Dives)
6:30, 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

Tuesday: Darwin Island (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

Wednesday: 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)

Thursday: Cabo Douglas (1-2 Dives)
Sightings include marine iguanas.
Transit to Punta Vicente Roca

Punta Vicente Roca (1-2 Dives)
Sightings often include mola mola, turtles and macro life
Transit to Cousins Rock (10 hours)

Friday: 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.

Saturday: Baltra
Depart the vessel by 9 am. Transfer to the airport to fly back to Quito for a nighttime city tour of Quito and dinner in the city before flying home!

Trip Includes

• Round trip airfare MSP
• Ground Transfers
• 2 nights Quito hotel + breakfasts
• Quito museum, Equator visit, and city tour
• 7 nights/8 days aboard the Explorer Ventures Tiburon
• Up to 4 dives per day
• Nitrox
• 3 meals daily
• Snacks
• Local alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
• Tanks & weights
• Scuba tune-up at Aquaventure pool
• Pre-trip meeting

All Staterooms

• Twin or queen beds, dresser, closet, flat panel TV/DVD and private ensuite bathroom with shower.
• Main deck cabins with large windows and lower deck cabins with elevated windows.

Not Included

• Lunches and Dinners in Quito
• Diver Medical Insurance (Required)
• Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)
• Galapagos National Park Fee ($100)
• Chamber Support Fee ($35)
• Tourist card ($20)
• Fuel surcharge is payable on board ($200 – subject to change)
• Tips & gratuities

Trip Price

• Double Occ Diver:  $9045

NOTE: $500 Non Refundable deposit holds your spot for this trip. Final payment is due by Feb 1, 2025. We strongly recommend travelers insurance, ask for details. Land/dive/air prices are payable by cash, check, or credit card.  Airfare rates are based on early sign up. Due to rising fuel costs, airlines and boat charters have been imposing additional fuel charges without notice, prices subject to change.