M/V Galapagos Sky Premium Dive Live-Aboard Cruise

One of the Galapagos’ only dive-only cruises; good chances to dive with whale sharks, schools of hammerhead sharks, and/or manta rays.

Trip Length: 8 or 15 days
Destination: Wolf & Darwin Islands, Galapagos Islands
Lodging: First-class, live-aboard dive yacht
Activities: SCUBA diving, snorkeling, naturalist walks

WHY THIS TRIP

The Galapagos Sky is one of a very select few boats that is allowed to operate diving trips in the waters surrounding the Wolf and Darwin Islands in the Galapagos. This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip for diving enthusiasts who want to witness schools of hammerhead sharks, crowds of manta rays, and hopefully the elusive whale shark. The Galapagos Sky provides first-class accommodations and professional dive masters to make your experience even more comfortable.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

The M/V Galapagos Sky, a 16-passenger 100-foot custom designed dive live-aboard, offers the ultimate in scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands for serious divers. Two dive masters and up to four dives a day, including dives at world famous sites like Wolf and Darwin Islands, make this one of the top dive experiences anywhere.

Built in 2001, the Galapagos Sky is the perfect boat for exploring the Darwin’s living laboratory. Accommodations include eight private en suite cabins with two twin or one king size bed with window view or port light, private head/shower, mirrored cabinet and wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer and toiletries. The elegant M/V Galapagos Sky is fully air conditioned and features a spacious lounge area and fine dining.

The bright tropical fish, giant sea mammals, and schools of sharks attract divers from around the world, eager to witness this utterly unique biosystem. Diving around Wolf and Darwin Islands are the pinnacle of your trip; this area is considered by many divers to be one of the best in the world for the abundance of unique wildlife and unusual behaviors of those animals.

The abundance of whales, sharks, dolphins, and rays will astound even the most jaded of divers, especially if you get to spot the mysterious whale shark which are in the area between June and November.

But the Galapagos SCUBA experience isn’t restricted to just Wolf and Darwin Islands. Further south, in the main Galapagos archipelago, you’ll dive at other amazing sites where the wildlife is profoundly different and fascinating.

You’ll be diving around Isabela and Cousin’s Rock where penguins, sea lions, turtles, marine iguanas, rays, sharks, and sea horses congregate. And because no trip to the Galapagos is complete without seeing the famous Giant tortoises, you’ll also stop by the Darwin Research Station.

You will be accompanied by a certified, bilingual dive master; to maximize safety and enhance your diving experience, there is one guide per eight passengers. You can bring your own gear or rent high-quality gear from the Galapagos Sky. This is a journey only suitable for experienced divers who are ready for the excitement and challenge of diving in the remote waters of the Galapagos Islands.

LOCAL OPERATOR: ECOVENTURA

Since 1990 Ecoventura has been providing thoughtful, fun cruises in the Galapagos Islands. For travelers who appreciate small groups, quality accommodations, ideal guide-to-passenger ratio and eco-friendly, sustainable cruises, a trip with Ecoventura provides a safe, thrilling adventure in which great care is taken to keep the Galapagos biologically pristine.

The cruise ships are comfortable, eco-friendly and becoming friendlier in order to further reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The company supports environmental education and marine conservation projects in the Galapagos and Galapagos communities by employing locals, purchasing local supplies and sponsoring a local school and a nonprofit.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary


DAY 1 (Sunday): Arrive Galapagos & Isla Lobos Check-Out Dive

When you arrive at the airport at San Cristobal on Sunday (Avianca flight 1636), the crew of the Galapagos Sky will personally meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you to the Galapagos Sky. Your luggage will be delivered to the dive deck for you. After everyone is on board, we will introduce you to the boat and do our mandatory safety briefings and drill.

Then, we cruise to the area of Los Lobos for your check-out dive. This will be your first underwater introduction to Galapagos sea lions and fur seals! Watch them Zoom in and out and dance playfully for you! Even on the first day of your live-aboard cruise – you begin to see the myriad and diverse land formations which comprise the Galapagos Islands topside. It is then you realize you will see nothing like it in your lifetime.

(Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): Bartolome Land Walk & Cousins Rock (2 dives)
Bartolome is a lovely area where guests enjoy a favorite land tour where they can climb to the top of the hill to where breathe taking views abound. Conditions permitting, snorkeling with penguins will be allowed. Cousins Rocks — this dive is an itinerary favorite and is done along a beautiful wall and allows for great viewing opportunities for corals, frog fish, sea horses, scorpion fish and octopus.

It is also a great dive for large schools of Barracuda and also Hammerhead shark sightings. Sea lions will be your companions upon entry and on the safety stops. By definition, the entire Galapagos Archipelago is geographically remote.

But after this day of your live-aboard cruise finds you heading toward the most isolated, northernmost part of the Galapagos Islands — the uninhabited, untouched, twin cathedrals of world class diving – Wolf and Darwin Islands.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 – 5 (Tuesday – Thursday): Wolf & Darwin (4 dives/day)
You’ll spend the next three days diving (up to four dives per day plus a night dive) the legendary islands of WOLF & DARWIN. Most experienced divers will agree, Wolf and Darwin can provide some of the best diving encounters in the world! Whale sharks are common here from mid-May through November.

At The Arch at Darwin, you will see hammerhead sharks either individually, in small groups, or large schools. Bottlenose dolphins are common. The reef contains many warm water varieties of fish found nowhere else in the Islands. Once you see Wolf and Darwin – you’ll immediately understand why there are no shore excursions on this part of the cruise – there is no way up the vertical cliffs!

Darwin Island: Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin island (actually several dive sites depending on where you enter, currents, etc) honors its reputation. It is warmer by a few degrees than the central islands. In one single dive you can find schooling hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellow fin tuna, big eye jacks, mobula rays, and silky sharks.

From June to November, it is not uncommon to encounter whale sharks in multiple numbers on one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue marlin, and killer whales adds on to this amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller stuff, you’ll find octopus, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish.

Darwin Island is the biggest jewel on the Galapagos Crown. Wolf Island: One of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from. If you want to see sharks, you are at the right spot. This is a place for schooling hammerhead sharks, large aggregations of Galapagos sharks, and occasionally whale sharks.

Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions and sea turtles is common. The bottom is littered with hundreds of moray eels, many of them free swimming.

Being several degrees warmer than the central islands, you can look for many representatives of the Indo-Pacific underwater fauna. On a night dive here you will also enjoy spotting and watching the Red Lipped bat fish walk along the bottom of the sea!

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Friday): Isabela Diving: Cabo Douglas & Punta Vicente Roca (3 dives)
At Cape (Cabo) Douglas, on the western side of Isabela Island, we will do 1 dive Friday morning.  Here you can expect to see Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas, Flighless Cormorants, Sea Lions, Seahorse, Sea Turtles, Horn Sharks, Red Lipped Batfish, and occasional hammerhead sharks and white tip sharks.

Also keep an eye out for chevron barracuda, snappers, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, and wahoo. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrot fishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific box fishes, and tiger snake eels. This day we also visit Punta Vincente Roca for up to 2 dives.

Our coldest yet rapidly increasing favorite dive — steep, deep vertical wall covered in soft coral, sponges, and endemic black coral. Regular sightings of mola mola (oceanic sun fish,) sea horses, bullhead sharks, red lipped bat fish, various shrimp and many other marine invertebrates.

Keep your eyes open for flybys from the flightless cormorants, penguins and maybe even a marine iguana. Our after-dive panga ride offers great topside photo ops for penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue footed & nazca booby Birds, magnificent frigates and noddy terns. The diving here is chilly (particularly below the thermocline — but not to be missed!).

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7 (Saturday): Isla Pinzon Dive & Santa Cruz Highlands Tortoise Walk
While diving Isla Pinzon you will be provided opportunities for encounters with a variety of species of sharks, sea lions, mantas, eagle rays, and moray eels. Many Species of fish and tropicals including yellow tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, moorish idols, steel pompanos, snappers, grunts, creole fish, and barracuda.

This dive is then followed by a transit to Itabaca Channel where guests will be transferred by bus (at approx. 1400h and approx.. 45-minute ground transfer) to visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the Galapagos Tortoises in their natural environment; and visit to Puerto Ayora.  Guests will then be transferred back to Itabaca Channel to board the Galapagos Sky approx. 1900h. The Sky will then return to San Cristobal for Sunday morning cruise completion.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8 (Sunday): San Cristobal Interpretation Center & Depart Galapagos
Arrive San Cristobal—(Land Excursion) visit the Interpretation Center where an interesting human history of Galapagos is presented, town walk (last chance for shopping). Late morning departure.

(Breakfast)


travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip: 

The trip begins with the flight to the Galápagos from either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, on the first morning of the trip, and ends with the return flight from the Galápagos to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, on the last day of the trip, arriving in the late afternoon. These flights are not included in the trip price, but they will be arranged for you and the cost added to your bill.

You need to overnight in your choice of departure city, either Quito or Guayaquil, at least one night before the trip begins as you will fly to the Galápagos early in the morning of the first day of your trip. At the end of the trip we recommend overnighting in Ecuador one night before moving on to your next adventure or flying home, although it is possible to catch a late night flight out on this day.

We do not sell international airfare but partner with a flight specialty company, Exito Travel, who can arrange all of your flights for you, simplifying the process of this part of your trip.

Trip Start: Trip begins on the first day with flight from Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, to the Galápagos (flights arranged for you). You will need to overnight in either Quito or Guayaquil the night before this flight.

Trip End: Trip ends with the flight from the Galápagos to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, arriving late afternoon on the last day of the trip. You may want to overnight there that night before continuing with your adventure.

Complete Your Trip

 

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Prices are per person, and based on double occupancy

Notes: 

  • Divers are required to bring their own dive equipment, including: Mask, fins and snorkel, regulator, depth and pressure gauges, and dive computer. Buoyancy compensator device (BCD), Dry suit or thick wet suit (1/4” or 5-7mm), hood and gloves, Open water diving certification. Gear is available to rent for an additional cost.
  • Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
  • Cruise prices are based on double occupancy of cabins. If you wish to have a single cabin, there is a single supplement of an additional 65% of the listed cruise rate for a Deluxe Cabin, and 85% of the listed cruise rate for a Master Cabin. If you are a solo traveler, you have the option to share a cabin with another traveler of the same gender, and there will not be a single supplement added to your trip price.

Discounts:

  • Repeat Travel: A 5% discount to the cruise rate is available for guests taking a second trip on the M/V Galapagos Sky, within 18 months of last travel date.
  • Senior Divers: A $200 discount to the cruise rate is available to guests, who at the time of travel, have reached 62 years of age.
  • Dive Instructors: A $200 discount to the cruise rate is available to active and current scuba instructors.
  • Military: A $200 discount to the cruise rate is available to active or retired military.
  • Discounts cannot be combined. When multiple discounts are applicable, the discount that is of greatest value to the client will be applied. These discounts must be requested at time of booking. Discounts are not applicable to port charges, chamber fees, Park Fees, Tourist card taxes or Domestic Air fares unless otherwise stated. Discounts do not apply to Group Bookings.

 

2024 PRICES:

For pricing, please inquire using the “I am Interested” button above

 

 

 

 

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED: 
  • Accommodations on board
  • All meals, snacks, & beverages (including beer and wine with dinner)
  • Air or nitrox filled tanks
  • Weights & weight belt
  • Up to 4 dives per day for 5.5 days
  • 3 land excursions
  • Service of naturalist guides/ dive masters
  • Transfers in the islands between airport and dock (on cruise start and end dates)
  • All other Galapagos Sky services and amenities.

View Terms and Conditions:
http://detourdestinations.com/terms-and-conditions/ecoventura

NOT INCLUDED: 
  • Trip interruption or Cancellation Insurance
  • Diver’s Accident Insurance
  • International airfare to Ecuador
  • Domestic Airfare to the Galapagos Islands (to be booked with the cruise operator and added to your trip costs)
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100.00 per adult or $50.00 per child under 12 years, subject to change)
  • Transit card ($20.00 per person, subject to change)
  • Hyperbaric chamber fee (if needed)
  • Gratuities to guides and crew (recommended: 10% of cruise rate)
  • Dive equipment: Divers are required to bring their own dive equipment, including: Mask, fins and snorkel, regulator, depth and pressure gauges, bottom timer or dive watch. Buoyancy compensator device (BCD), Dry suit or thick wet suit (1/4” or 5-7mm), hood, gloves, and Open Water diving certification. Optional items: Underwater camera, video camera, dive computer. Or you can rent this gear (please inquire for rental rates). Keep in mind that limited sizes & quantities are available so please make sure to reserve your package in advance. Please note that we do not rent or sell gloves, torches/underwater lights, or dive knives.

Accommodations

Galapagos Sky cabin 1
Master Stateroom cabins 1-4 are located on the Dolphin deck and have two twin beds (that can be joined together), private facilities, window view, mirrored cabinet, wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer, biodegradable toiletries, fresh towels daily, air conditioning and volume controls.
Galapagos Sky cabin 2
Deluxe Stateroom cabins 5-8 are located on the Iguana deck and have two twin beds, private facilities, Port light view, mirrored cabinet, wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer, biodegradable toiletries, fresh towels daily, air conditioning and volume controls.

Galapagos Sky deck plans

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Willing to Share, Single Supplement

 

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