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Looking for the perfect Galapagos Liveaboards? In this text, I’ll stroll you thru the perfect liveaboards within the space, serving to you select the perfect boat for a visit of a lifetime. Diving within the Galapagos Islands might be on the bucket checklist of each avid diver and there’s a purpose why.
Located off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Island Archipelago is a spot that’s so wealthy in each land and marine animals. The animals listed below are so numerous and considerable that it popularly even impressed the idea of evolution.
Given its considerable pure sources, the Galapagos Islands, together with the marine reserve, is listed as a Unesco World Heritage website which limits vacationers to solely exploring these elements on a liveaboard.
Liveaboards within the Galapagos Islands go to two of the 13 giant islands, Darwin and Wolf.
Here, divers can swim in awe round giant colleges of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, pods of dolphins, and whale sharks. Not to say the marine iguanas, different species of sharks, and penguins.
To allow you to select between the perfect liveaboards within the Galapagos, we’ve put collectively this complete checklist of liveaboard critiques and fashionable scuba dive websites.
Editor’s Top Galapagos Liveaboard Picks
Comparison Table for Galapagos Liveaboards
Galapagos Liveaboard Reviews
Humboldt Explorer
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 8 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 8
The Humboldt Explorer is likely one of the most reasonably priced Liveaboards within the Galapagos, however that doesn’t imply that it lacks high quality.
This spectacular 33m ship takes divers to a number of the greatest dive websites within the Galapagos the place you’ll be able to immerse your self in colleges of sharks, tuna, manta rays, and white tip sharks.
It affords 8 air-conditioned cabins, all outfitted with TV and DVDs. When you’re not diving, soak of their jacuzzi located on the sundeck. Designed with premier diving in thoughts, the MV Humboldt has a big dive station, takes, weights, rental gear, in addition to correct digicam and rinse tables.
With cruises operating 8 nights lengthy, that is certainly one of your greatest choices when selecting a Galapagos liveaboard. As far as liveaboards within the Galapagos go, whereas it positively price range pleasant!
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Tanks, Weights, Belts, All Meals, Alcoholic drinks
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability of the Humboldt Explorer.
Nortada
8 visitors
Rooms: 4 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 5
If you’re in search of a Galapagos Liveaboard journey vacation which caters to smaller teams, the Nortada is a good choice, providing you a extra intimate and personal expertise.
Each cabin has lockers and drawers for storing private belongings in addition to air-conditioning. Guests can lounge and eating space outfitted with an leisure system or within the open space and sundeck.
Aboard the Nortada, divers can go on at the least 20 dives per week across the well-known Wolf and Darwin islands in addition to different dive websites north of the archipelago.
Safety is of main significance which is why every diver is given a marine radio with GPS, dive alert and DSMB.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Dive Master Services, All Meals
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability of the Nortada.
Galapagos Master
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 9 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 10
This 32m luxurious liveaboard yacht exhibits you the perfect of the Galapagos Islands whereas providing you with consolation and leisure.
Each cabin is effectively adorned, full with a wardrobe and en-suite rest room. There is a spacious indoor lounge space in addition to a deck with a full leisure system. The outer deck has a cocktail bar the place visitors can unwind after a full day of spectacular diving.
The dive deck is ample and spacious, leaving you room for all of your gear. It additionally has heat showers, rinse tanks, plus digicam tables. Offering 7-10 evening luxurious cruises, you’ll be able to dive as much as 4 occasions a day throughout your liveaboard journey.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Transfers/pickups from the airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, All Meals
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability of the Galapagos Master.
Galapagos Aggressor III
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 8 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 11
As a part of the Aggressor fleet, this 32m luxurious liveaboard affords year-round diving across the Galapagos Islands. Offering as much as 4 action-packed dives and two-night dives, visitors are capable of take advantage of out of their time within the Galapagos.
You can loosen up on the big solar deck outfitted with solar loungers and deck chairs, in addition to a scorching tub. The Galapagos Aggressor has a big swim platform, air/nitrox fill stations, in addition to correct bathe and digicam areas.
Alcoholic drinks reminiscent of wine and beer are additionally served complimentary to visitors. This liveaboard could be very well-rated and is a well-liked alternative.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary toiletries, Tanks, Weights, Belts, All Meals
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability for the Galapagos Aggressor.
Galapagos Sky
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 8 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 8
This 33m luxurious liveaboard yacht is your best choice if you wish to uncover the Galapagos in type. Offering lavish cabins, lounge areas, plus a trendy deck, visitors can absolutely loosen up and luxuriate in after doing a full day’s dive.
Two dive masters can be found on board, all very accustomed to the underwater circumstances. The Galapagos Sky has a big dive platform which has ample room and equipment storage. Nitrox is offered totally free for visitors.
Apart from this, you’ll be able to get pleasure from buffet-style native and International fare in addition to complimentary alcohol all through your journey.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster companies, All Meals, Alcoholic Beverages, Free Nitrox, Towels Provided
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability for the Galapagos Sky
Tiburon Explorer
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 9 cabins
This gorgeous dive boat is likely one of the greatest liveaboards within the Galapagos. It can home as much as 16 visitors in 9 spacious en-suite staterooms. After an thrilling day underwater, you’ll be able to loosen up on the principle deck the place there’s a eating space, bar, and leisure. Or you could possibly lounge on the solar deck which additionally has a jacuzzi and benefit from the stunning Galapagos surroundings.
The dive deck on the Tiburon Explorer is well-equipped with tank ranks, a nitrox filling station, and facilities for underwater photographers reminiscent of a digicam recharging station and a devoted underwater digicam rinse tank.
Throughout your journey, all of your meals are taken care of, together with snacks and complimentary wine served throughout dinner.
What’s Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Naturalist Guide, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability for the Tiburon Explorer
Aqua
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 8 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 8
Looking for a mixture of diving and naturalist actions? The Aqua liveaboard affords this distinctive combine which lets you expertise the perfect of the Galapagos each out and in of the water.
This 26m boat can accommodate as much as 16 visitors in its 8 en-suite cabins. With an almost 1:1 ratio of crew to visitors, you might be assured you’ll have an awesome liveaboard expertise. The social areas on the boat embody an indoor lounge, library and bar in addition to two lounges on the higher deck and a solar deck.
Their dive deck has recent water showers. They even have a shaded diving space and nitrox is accessible. While onboard, you’ll get pleasure from buffet-style meals that includes native delicacies.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster companies, All Meals Including Snacks, Welcome Cocktails, Towels Provided
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability for Aqua.
Calipso
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 8 cabins / AC
With occupancy for 16 visitors, the Calipso is right for small group charters. Out of their eight cabins, there are two single rooms accessible.
Their educated dive masters will information you in your diving expeditions, and wetsuits, diving tanks, and weights are included in your bundle.
Onboard the Calipso, you’ll get pleasure from al fresco eating and native delicacies. When not diving or having fun with different actions, you’ll be able to lounge on their leisure deck or jacuzzi and take within the gorgeous Galapagos surroundings.
Included: VAT, Fuel Surcharge, Airport Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi web.
Click the button under to be taught extra and test the costs and availability for the Calipso.
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FAQ on Galapagos Liveaboards
The price of your liveaboard relies on how lengthy your journey is. Some journeys are normally 8 days, whereas some supply prolonged itineraries which final for 11 days. Expect to pay round $400-600 per day. This features a non-public room, all meals, plus all of your dives. The common liveaboard worth within the Galapagos is round $5000+ for double occupancy for eight days.
While diving is feasible all yr spherical, however it may possibly get barely chilly at occasions.
The hotter seasons are from December to May the place you will discover calmer circumstances and currents.
Coldest months are from June to November the place the ocean circumstances can get a little bit bit rougher and difficult. Whale sharks usually grace the presence throughout the cooler season.
Most of the liveaboards within the Galapagos run excursions and cruises all-year-round. 7mm wetsuits throughout the colder season is really helpful.
While most liveaboard dives require you to have at the least your Open Water certification, there are some colleges which supply newbie classes within the Galapagos. Some dives within the Galapagos, particularly those you go to by way of a liveaboard boat might be fairly technical as a result of present so that they aren’t advisable for learners.
If you need to see Hammerhead sharks within the Galapagos, you’re in luck as they’re there all year-round. However, you’ll be able to count on quite a lot of them throughout the month of January, and so they are inclined to skinny out by May. You can usually see them by Darwin Island and Wolf Island.
Galapagos Liveaboard Diving Highlights
There is actually nowhere else on this planet the place you’ll be able to swim with a whole lot of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks whereas recognizing some penguins and marine iguanas. Nowhere.
The complete marine reserve is freed from industrial fishing, permitting you entry to a number of the most pristine reefs conceivable.
An superb 20% of the marine life discovered within the Galapagos can solely be discovered right here! This alone is sufficient purpose why it is best to discover its wealthy waters.
Due to the remoteness of the Galapagos Islands, liveaboard boats are one of the best ways to find the area. Staying on the boats will can help you attain the dive websites at their peak time, providing you with what I’d declare, among the finest dive experiences of your life.
Just a few of the favored must-visit dive websites that the liveaboards will go to are El Arco in Darwin Island. Here, look forward to finding colleges of hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, in addition to Galapagos and silky sharks.
The currents are robust so normally, you hook your self in and watch the big creatures swim round you. It is actually a spectacular sight.
Other websites to not be missed are Gordon Rocks, Tijeretas Hill for sea lions, and Shark Point. Tortuga Island is for extra intermediate divers who’re able to face the deep drift partitions plunging down as much as 40 meters, or 131 ft. Some divers have been fortunate sufficient to identify an Orca from this spot.
Apart from the improbable diving, the Galapagos Island additionally affords a number of the greatest non-diving wildlife journey cruises as a result of huge quantity of animals seen on the islands. From big tortoises to numerous species of birds, it’s a improbable place teeming with wildlife.
Your Galapagos liveaboard expertise can also embody some enjoyable shore excursions such because the Charles Darwin Research Station and visiting Santa Cruz island to see its resident big tortoises.
Galapagos Liveaboard Diving: What You Need to Know
Galapagos Diving Safety
Due to its location, the Galapagos is an intersection for a number of ocean currents which is why the marine life right here is so vibrant and alive.
In some areas, currents might be very robust and floor circumstances can get uneven, relying on the time of the yr. Descending currents could also be encountered at some websites alongside vertical partitions.
Due to the complexity of some dive websites, diving within the Galapagos is greatest suited to skilled divers. However, with that being mentioned, so long as you talk any troubles together with your divemasters, they’ll provide the acceptable steering when needed.
apply is to make sure that you at all times have a neon dive flag or collapsible pole stowed in your BC pocket in case of the present sweeps you astray. Reef hooks and gloves are additionally advisable as a result of robust currents.
For peace of thoughts throughout your diving adventures, we advocate having dive insurance coverage in case of any medical emergencies.
Best Dive Sites Around the Galapagos
1. Darwin Island
Located 4 hours north of Wolf Island, Darwin Island is a must-visit on a liveaboard diving journey. The easily-spotted Darwin Arch makes the spot to arguably among the finest diving websites in not simply the Galapagos however the world.
At Darwin Island, you’ll encounter all kinds of marine life with occasional appearances by dolphins and whale sharks. Your greatest probability to encountering a whale shark is the late summer season, fall, and early winter after they arrive on this space to feed.
Most liveaboards within the Galapagos spend at the least in the future right here, permitting divers to discover the world. For extra time on this stunning dive website, you’ll need to choose an prolonged journey that may present 2 full days at Darwin Island.
Unpredictable floor circumstances and powerful currents imply that this website will not be really helpful for novice divers.
2. Isabela Island
Cape Marshall, Isabela Island is one other location that’s solely accessible by way of a liveaboard diving journey. Its robust currents imply that it’s really helpful for superior divers, nevertheless it’s effectively well worth the effort when you’ve got sufficient expertise below your belt.
Formed by a wall of volcanic rock that goes deep into the ocean, the Cape Marshall dive website offers you with alternatives to swim with manta rays, giant colleges of fish and, in the event you’re fortunate, you’ll spot some hammerhead sharks or Galapagos black-striped salema.
Another cool dive spot round Isabela Island is Redonda Rock, recognized for its volcanic fumaroles and being residence to some distinctive macro life not seen elsewhere.
3. Santa Cruz and San Cristobal
Known for the assorted dive websites within the areas, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands are on the itinerary of each liveaboard. With a variety of dive websites accessible, it’s a great diving spot for each novice and skilled divers.
Based on the expertise stage of the divers on the boat, your liveaboard will select the websites greatest suited to its passengers. The straightforward dive websites for nice as introduction dives. Easy doesn’t imply unexciting although; even at these websites, you could possibly spot Galapagos sharks and education reef sharks.
Photographers will love the world outdoors Academy Bay in Santa Cruz which is teeming with animal life reminiscent of seahorses, batfish and marine iguanas.
Advanced divers can get an exhilarating expertise at Gordon’s Rock, which is known for its robust and unpredictable currents. It’s probably the most visited website on this space, as divers can simply spot hammerhead sharks, stingrays, turtles, and mobulas. If you’re an skilled diver, this can be a dive website to not be missed!
4. Wolf Island
One nice purpose to decide on a Galapagos liveaboard diving expertise is that it’ll take you to locations you in any other case couldn’t attain. Wolf Island is a type of locations.
The waters round this small, uninhabited island is residence to a beautiful array of marine life reminiscent of dolphins, hammerheads, and hundreds of reef fish. The true prize, nonetheless, is that Wolf Island affords you the once-in-a-lifetime alternative of swimming alongside whale sharks!
As the currents at Wolf Island might be unpredictable and powerful, diving right here is greatest suited to superior divers.
How to Get to the Galapagos Islands
Getting to Ecuador might be comparatively straightforward with a number of International flights flying straight to Guayaquil and Quito. We advise going on to Guayaquil as it’s nearer when it comes to location.
From there, you’ll be able to fly to Baltra Island Airport. Most of the liveaboards could have employees prepared to fulfill you on the airport so you’ll be able to instantly get located and began in your exploration.
Other extra prices are:
- Galapagos National Park Tax – $100 (money solely, payable upon arrival at Galapagos Airport)
- a Tourist card – $20
Best Diving Itineraries within the Galapagos Islands
Short Galapagos Liveaboard Trips
Given how distant the Galapagos Islands are and the wealth of diving that’s accessible, you’ll be able to count on to spend a couple of week within the space even on a brief journey.
Most liveaboard operators supply an 8-day itinerary, which signifies that you get to get pleasure from 6 full days of wonderful diving on this stunning area. The traditional 8-day itinerary will take you to the perfect that the Galapagos has to supply, together with the perfect dive seats within the space.
Liveaboards will sometimes supply 3 to 4 tanks per day, and also you’ll additionally get 2 shore excursions as effectively. It’ll be a visit to recollect!
Extended Galapagos Liveaboard Trips
If you’ve extra time in your arms, go for the total Galapagos expertise with an prolonged liveaboard journey. Selected Galapagos liveaboards supply an 11-day expertise that’s excellent for critical divers or underwater pictures fanatics.
The extra days onboard provide the probability to spend extra time on the islands of Darwin and Wolf, which supply a number of the most fun diving within the area. With extra time underwater, you’ll have the chance to identify all of the well-known species within the Galapagos. Your journey will even seemingly embody one other shore tour as effectively.
If you’re selecting an prolonged liveaboard journey within the Galapagos, make sure you bear in mind the world distant’s location and pack adequately.
Search in your dream Galapagos liveaboard now!
There you’ve it! Hopefully, this text has helped you examine these Galapagos liveaboards and discover a appropriate one for you.
For these in search of last-minute offers, liveaboard.com or Divebooker affords tremendously discounted costs that are price trying out. Happy diving!
Disclosure: Some of the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks. That signifies that in the event you ebook any of the liveaboards above, we get a small fee at NO EXTRA COST to you. This fee will assist us preserve this website so we will maintain producing superior free content material for you.
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