Main Info
Places to visit:
- Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, North Seymour
Day by Day
As travelers arrive from mainland Ecuador and set foot on the Galapagos Islands, they are greeted by our knowledgeable dive guides at Baltra airport. After a smooth and escorted transfer to the Galaxy Diver, guests are shown to their comfortable accommodations and introduced to the safety and emergency protocols by the Dive Master. The culinary team aboard the Galaxy Diver serves up a delicious lunch, providing a warm welcome to this unique and beautiful destination.
The inaugural dive in the Galapagos Islands is an opportunity for divers to test their equipment and ensure proper functioning, as well as to fine-tune their buoyancy to protect the delicate marine life and seabed. As they explore the stunning underwater world of the islands, divers may encounter an array of colorful reef fish, graceful skate rays, majestic eagle rays, mysterious moray eels, majestic turtles, charming garden eels, and elegant white tip sharks. This first dive is a thrilling introduction to the rich biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands.
Immersions: 1 (Check out Dive)
The Landslide Dive Site, also known as El Derrumbe, is a premier diving destination located on the remote Wolf Island. This site can only be accessed from a liveaboard and is renowned as one of the most famous dive sites in the Galapagos archipelago. The site was named after Theodor Wolf, a German geologist who spent many years studying the geology of the islands. Wolf Island is home to a massive colony of seabirds, including Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as an array of marine life, such as reef fish, green and hawksbill turtles, jacks, Galapagos and silky sharks, eagle rays, bottle-nosed dolphins, and sea lions. From July to November, it is also possible to spot majestic whale sharks in these waters.
El Derrumbe is particularly well known for its hammerhead and Galapagos shark sightings, and is a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate
The north Islet, known locally as La Banana, is a wall dive featuring a network of caverns, tunnels, and a pinnacle. Divers can expect moderate to heavy currents and limited visibility at this site, but the reward is the chance to encounter some of the largest and most impressive marine animals in the Galapagos, including whale sharks, hammerheads, and dolphins. Shark Bay at Wolf Island is another renowned dive site in the Galapagos, known for its high likelihood of sightings of Hammerheads and Galapagos Sharks. In addition, divers may encounter whale sharks, an array of fish, Galapagos rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic species. These dive sites offer a truly unforgettable diving experience in the Galápagos.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate
Darwin Island is a small but mighty member of the Galapagos archipelago, renowned for its diverse pelagic species and considered one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. Located near Wolf Island, this spectacular diving destination offers moderate to strong currents and depths ranging from 46 to 121 feet, with visibility ranging from 40 to 80 feet. At El Arenal, a renowned diving point on the slopes of Darwin’s Arch, divers may encounter a plethora of marine wildlife, including dolphins, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, Galapagos sharks, and even tiger sharks and killer whales. In addition to the impressive array of animals, divers will also marvel at the geological formations of this unique and breathtaking destination.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
On May 17th, 2022, the famous Darwin’s Arch experienced a collapse at the top of its structure, creating a “pillar” shape. While the shape of the arch has changed, the abundance of marine life surrounding it remains unchanged. Like Wolf Island, Darwin Island is home to a large colony of seabirds, including red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and frigate birds. It is also a popular destination for the giant whale sharks that visit the Galapagos Islands every year from July to November, with 99% of sightings being apparently pregnant females. The marine life surrounding Darwin’s Arch is diverse and includes a wide variety of reef fish, hammerhead sharks in cleaning stations, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, hawksbill turtles, green turtles, moray eels, lobsters, jacks, and bottlenose dolphins. This is a truly unique and breathtaking destination for diving and exploring the wonders of the Galápagos.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
Shark Bay at Wolf Island is a must-visit destination for divers seeking to encounter the iconic Hammerheads and Galapagos Sharks of the Galapagos Islands. This renowned dive site is also known for sightings of the gentle giants of the sea, the whale sharks, as well as a wide range of fish, Galapagos rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic species. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Shark Bay at Wolf Island offers a truly unforgettable and enriching underwater experience.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
El Derrumbe is a renowned dive site in the Galapagos Islands, particularly well known for sightings of Hammerheads and Galapagos Sharks. Divers may also encounter whale sharks and a wide range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic species at this site.
Located on the north Islet, known locally as La Banana, is a wall dive featuring a network of caverns, tunnels, and a pinnacle. Divers can expect moderate to heavy currents and limited visibility at this site, but the reward is the chance to encounter some of the largest and most impressive marine animals in the Galapagos, including whale sharks, hammerheads, and dolphins. These dive sites offer a truly unparalleled diving experience in the Galápagos.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
On the morning dive at Douglas Cape, divers have the opportunity to observe the graceful marine iguanas feeding on algae underwater. These unique creatures can be seen catching the sun’s rays to warm up before diving into the sea to feed for around 20 minutes. Upon their return to the shore, the iguanas bask in the sun once again to regulate their body temperature. This dive offers a unique and elegant look at the marine iguanas, as well as the chance to encounter a range of other species found only in the Galapagos, including the red-lipped batfish, fur seals, and the iconic Galapagos marine iguana. Divers may also encounter the Galapagos penguin and flightless cormorants in the midst of hunting. This is a truly exceptional diving experience in the Galápagos.
Immersions: 1
Difficulty: Moderate
Located on the northwest coast of Isabela Island, Vicente Roca Point is home to an abundance of colorful corals and gorgonians, making it one of the most visually stunning dive sites in the Galapagos. This site is a paradise for macro life enthusiasts, with sightings of seahorses, various species of nudibranchs, toadfish, cat sharks, and possible encounters with penguins, flying cormorants, green turtles, and the Mola Alexandrini, the largest bony fish in the world. This is a truly unique and breathtaking diving destination in the Galápagos.
Immersions: 1
Difficulty: Moderate
Located on the northeast side of Isabela Island, Marshall Cape is a diving destination known for its diverse and abundant marine life. Plankton-rich waters attract populations of giant mantarrays, mobulas, and enormous schools of barracudas, as well as Galapagos sharks, sea lions, and other iconic Galapagos species. In addition to the impressive array of marine life, Marshall Cape is also home to flightless cormorants, which can often be seen resting on the shores. This is a truly memorable and enriching diving destination in the Galápagos.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate
Giant Manta Rays are a highly migratory species, but at this particular dive site, sightings can be enjoyed all year round, with particularly high numbers from July to November. This is due to the Humboldt current, which brings an abundance of plankton, the primary diet of manta rays, as well as mobulas, sea turtles, skate rays, schools of reef fish, and schools of barracudas. This dive site offers an incredible opportunity to encounter these majestic creatures, as well as a wide range of other marine life.
Immersions: 1
Difficulty: Moderate
This dive site is renowned for its colorful wall featuring an array of corals and gorgonians, making it a visual feast for divers. In addition to the stunning surroundings, this site is also home to a wide range of macro life, including seahorses, reef fish, toad fish, coral hawks, and a variety of nudibranchs. Divers may also encounter a school of eagle rays, white tip sharks, mobulas, a school of barracudas, and sea lions, making for an unforgettable and enriching diving experience in the Galápagos.
Immersions: 2
Difficulty: Moderate
Bartolome is a truly iconic destination in the Galapagos, offering the rare opportunity to see penguins without venturing to the remote western regions of Isabela and Fernandina. This island is home to the renowned Pinnacle Rock, located on the northern side of the island, and boasts a beautiful peach-colored sand beach. The hike to the top of the island offers breathtaking views of a lunar landscape dotted with volcanic cones and offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, including Sullivan Bay.
Snorkeling at Bartolome is a must-do activity, as the clear and calm waters offer an unparalleled diversity of marine life, including penguins, an array of fish, colorful invertebrates, sea lions, turtles, rays, and reef sharks. This is truly one of the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos.
The Twin Craters, also known as “Los Gemelos,” are located along the road from Puerto Ayora to Baltra on Santa Cruz Island. These striking features are not actual craters, but rather formed by the collapse of surface material into underground fissures and chambers. While visiting the Twin Craters, travelers can enjoy stunning views of the local flora, including Scalesia plants, and may even spot the endemic short-ear owl. After taking in the beauty of the Twin Craters, travelers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Included:
- All meals and excursions
- Transfers in the islands
- Bilingual National Park Guide
- Use of underwater camera
- Free airport Assistance*
- Hotel night in Quito or Guayaquil (the day before the cruise)*
- 1 Free Transfer Out for the Galapagos Flight (applicable on regular cruise departure day only)*
Not Included:
- Roundtrip Airfare to / from Galapagos
- Alcoholic drinks
- $100 Galapagos National Park fee
- $20 Transit Control Card
- Travel / medical insurance
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
Important Notes:
- Discount for groups from 4 to 14 pax* 10%
- Discount for children under 12 years* 20%
- Single supplement 70%
- Christmas and New Year: special conditions apply. Contact us for details
- Penalty fee applies for Galapagos air tickets not issued by Royal Galapagos
- All prices in United States Dollars
- All rates are commissionable
Maps
