the ultimate big-animal dive

The Galápagos are legendary for good reason. On any given dive, you might find yourself surrounded by schooling hammerheads, gliding beside eagle rays, or watching sea lions twist and turn through the bubbles. Few places on Earth deliver this level of raw, reliable big-animal action.

iconic wildlife, above and below

Scuba diving brings you face to face with ocean giants, but the magic continues on land. The Galápagos is one of the best places to observe blue-footed boobies mid-courtship and see marine iguanas basking on black lava rocks. Both scenes offer unforgettable glimpses into life that exists nowhere else.

fearless wildlife

What sets the Galápagos apart isn’t just the species—it’s how they behave. Birds don’t flinch when you approach. Sea lions may swim right up to your mask. The wildlife here evolved without fear of humans, creating rare, intimate encounters that feel like a quiet conversation with nature.

a living museum of the planet

Isolated and fiercely protected, the Galápagos feel like another world. With strict conservation rules and limited visitor numbers, every moment here feels rare. It’s a destination that leaves a mark—on your logbook, yes, but more so on your sense of wonder and place in the natural world.

about GALAPAGOS

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago located about 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador. Formed by a hotspot beneath the Nazca tectonic plate, the islands are geologically young, with some still volcanically active. Their isolation and varying microclimates have created a living laboratory of evolution, famously studied by Charles Darwin in 1835.

The islands host a high number of endemic species, including the marine iguana, Galápagos penguin, and flightless cormorant. Marine life is equally rich due to the convergence of major ocean currents—the warm Panama Current, cold Humboldt Current, and deep Cromwell Current—which bring nutrient-rich waters that support large populations of pelagic species. Strict conservation laws and limited tourism help protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with access tightly regulated by the Galápagos National Park Directorate. Divers must follow rules to minimize environmental impact, as even small disruptions can affect the fragile balance of these unique ecosystems.

ITINERARY

SATURDAY BALTRA - ARRIVAL

Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning (please make sure to land in Baltra not later than 11:30am). 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 Cabo Douglas (11 hours)

MONDAY CABO DOUGLAS - PUNTA VICENTE ROCA

Cabo Douglas - 1 to 2 dives. Sightings include marine iguanas. Punta Vicente Roca - 1 to 2 dives. Sightings often include mola mola, turtles and macro life. Transit to Wolf (10 hours)

TUESDAY WOLF & DARWIN - 4 DIVES

6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.

WEDNESDAY DARWIN ISLAND - 4 DIVES

6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Transit to Wolf Island

THURSDAY WOLF ISLAND - 3 DIVES

6:30, 10:30 and 1:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Transit to Cousin’s Rock (20+ hours)

FRIDAY COUSIN 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 - DEPARTURE

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

DIVE CONDITIONS

The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 18 - 23°C from December through May and 15 - 21°C June through November. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 23°C or higher in the rainy season (December - May) to the around 15°C 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 10m and 25m.

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.

vessel

The new, elegant and 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.

RATES

Prices are quoted in USD per person. Prices subject to change without prior notice.

MAIN DECK USD 7,695 (twin sharing)

LOWER DECK USD 7,395 (twin sharing)

Main deck Staterooms: Twins or queen beds, dresser, closet and private ensuite bathroom with shower.

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

Included:

• 7 nights/8 days aboard the vessel.

• Up to 4 dives daily (weather permitting), free nitrox, tanks, weights and weight belts, all air fills.

• 3 meals daily, except last evening's meal; between-dive snacks; towels, linens, etc.

• Transfers within Galapagos Islands for same day arrivals & departures.

• Local alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.

Not Included:

• $370 for:

  • $20 tourist card,

  • $200 Galapagos Park fee

  • $150 onboard fuel surcharge

• Airfare to Galapagos Islands.

• Guaranteed Single Occupancy is billed an additional 80% of the retail stateroom/suite price.

• 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.

Rates may be subject to changes and guests will be informed accordingly.

Contact us to purchase short-term DAN diving insurance.

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