Master the Galápagos (10 nights)
Mandatory Requirements: PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent - minimum of 50 logged dives and experience in currents
Duration
10 nights
Skill level
– Advanced Open Water
– Minimum 50 dives
– Experience in currents
Overview
Shark diving
Abundant marine life
Manta ray sightings
Drift diving
Unique marine life
The Galápagos are a UNESCO World Heritage site, an official Ecuadorian province, an Ecuadorian National Park and also a biological marine reserve. An archipelago of volcanic islands straddling the equator, the Galapagos Islands are situated approximately 970 km west of mainland Ecuador, and comprise 18 islands and 100 islets covering a distance of 220km from North to South. The islands are world-renowned for their vast endemic and unique wildlife, which were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle in 1835. Few people are granted the opportunity of diving the pristine waters of the Galápagos, and no place on Earth boasts such a variety of underwater sightings. During the 10 night 'Master the Galápagos' liveaboard diving itinerary, you are likely to encounter the famous Galápagos shark, schooling hammerheads, penguins, marine iguanas, and much, much more; Truly, a trip of a lifetime.
Dates & Prices
What's included:
- Return transfer between San Cristobal airport and the vessel on embarkation and disembarkation days
- Full board accommodation (based on double occupancy)
- Tea, coffee, fruit juice & soft drinks*
- Up to 4 dives daily
- Single 11L (AL80) cylinder with air fills
- Weights, weight belt and SMB
- Land excursions
Obligatory surcharges:
-
Galápagos National Park Entrance Fees
(payable in cash upon arrival in the San Cristóbal or Baltra) -
INGALA Transit Control Card
(payable in cash at Guayaquil or Quito Airport before boarding domestic flights to the Galápagos) -
Ecuadorian Departure Taxes
(if not included in your flight ticket) - Fuel Surcharge
- Flights
- Fuel Surcharge
- Equipment rental
- Nitrox
- Alcoholic drinks
- Crew and dive guide gratuities
- On board merchandise
*PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible to get Diet Coke, Coke Light, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, or any other diet sodas in The Galápagos as they are not produced in recyclable bottles.
Maps & Itinerary
You may wonder what all this fuss is about, but we can assure you that the Galápagos Islands have earned the awe and fascination of many divers, year after year. Being located in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres, and where 3 main ocean currents cross paths, the islands are already an oddity themselves, but this archipelago is the land of every extreme.
Their vastness is surprising in itself (7,880 km2 of land spread over 45,000 km2 of ocean), but the fact that they are still being shaped by volcanic activity is amazing. The wildlife is beyond wonder with plants, birds and animals that have adapted to their remote environment; observations and collections of these by Charles Darwin contributed to his famous ‘Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection’.
A Galápagos liveaboard scuba diving adventure can encompass everything from whale sightings to colourful nudibranchs and much, much more. The islands are best known for amazing shark encounters and you will generally have a good chance of seeing silky sharks, the famous Galápagos shark and even schooling hammerheads.
Diving conditions in Galápagos are often challenging, even for experienced scuba divers, but the underwater encounters will be unforgettable making your 10 night Master the Galápagos liveaboard diving holiday one that is filled with memories to last you a lifetime.
On a typical 10-night itinerary up to 27-30 dives may be possible*. The diving day aboard Galapagos Master is typically scheduled as follows:
- Wake up call
- Full Breakfast and dive briefings
- Dive 1 and 2
- Lunch, relaxation and dive briefings
- Dive 3 and 4*
- Dinner
*On days 2 and 10, dives 3 and 4 will be substituted by an island visit. Before your flight home, you may also opt to visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island.
PLEASE NOTE
Most of the diving on this itinerary is not suitable for entry-level divers due to depths and strong currents. Advanced Open Water with a minimum of 50 logged dives and experience in currents are mandatory requirements.
The itinerary includes an extensive amount of time cruising between some of the islands, particularly to and from Wolf & Darwin, although the longer crossings will mostly be overnight. Generally, the same islands and dive sites are included each week although the order is dictated by the Galapagos National Park and may vary weekly. The itinerary is subject to change depending on local regulations and permits, guests’ experience, weather conditions and logistics and is at the Captain’s discretion.
Water temperatures can drop to 15°C (59°F) or even lower so we recommend bringing additional thermal layers to wear under your wetsuit. You will also need to bring gloves, hood or hooded vest, and a 20-30 metre reel for DSMB deployment as these items are not available to rent on Galapagos Master
Accommodation
8.94
Rated excellent
Nitrox
Surcharge
Wifi
Surcharge
Equipment
Surcharge
Tech friendly
No
Divided over 2 decks, there are 9 comfortable cabins with en-suite facilities, 8 of which are used to accommodate up to 16 guests. The cabins have a choice of fixed doubles, fixed twins and convertible double/twin cabins.
Communal areas comprise of a spacious indoor lounge on the middle level, with cushioned bench seating and plasma screen for movie and photo viewing. Adjacent to the lounge is our indoor dining area complete with cocktail bar. An indoor camera set-up station provides ample room for a full photography charter group.
The upper level has shaded outdoor bench seating with cushioned loungers. From here our guests can enjoy the fresh air and views of The Galápagos.
Extras
Galápagos National Park Entrance Fee | 100 USD per person | Payable, in cash only, at your arrival airport in Galápagos. |
Ingala Transit Control Card | 20 USD per person | Payable, in cash only, at Guayaquil or Quito Airport prior to domestic flight check-in. |
Fuel Surcharge | ||
PLEASE NOTE: Galapagos National Park Entrance Fees will increase to 200 USD from 1st August 2024.
Equipment | 7 nights: | 10 nights: |
|---|---|---|
Full set | 270 USD | 405 USD |
BCD | 72 USD | 108 USD |
Booties | 30 USD | 45 USD |
Dive Computer | 72 USD | 108 USD |
Fins | 30 USD | 45 USD |
Mask | 30 USD | 45 USD |
Regulators | 72 USD | 108 USD |
Full-length wetsuit | 72 USD | 108 USD |
15L cylinder | 72 USD | 108 USD |
Nautilus Lifeline | FOC* | FOC* |
Full equipment set comprises BCD, regulators, wetsuit, mask, booties & fins only. Standard cylinders provided free of charge are 12 Litres (80 cuft).
SMBs with a 5-metre line and Nautilus Lifelines are available for guests to use free of charge. However, a *charge of 200 USD will be incurred by guests who lose Nautilus Lifelines.
Essential items to bring with you to Galapagos:
A 20-30 metre reel or spool for DSMB deployment, gloves, hood or hooded vest and additional thermal layers; Water temperatures can drop to 15°C (59°F) or even lower so we recommend a skin-suit, neoprene vest and/ or long sleeve neoprene top, neoprene shorts or long-johns to wear under your wetsuit.
7 nights: | 10 nights: | |
|---|---|---|
Nitrox | 150 USD | 225 USD |
Beer | 5 USD |
Spirits | 6 USD |
Cocktails | 10 USD |
Wine (per bottle) | 30 USD |
Wi-Fi Data package (7 nights) | 40 USD |
Wi-Fi Data package (10 nights) | 60 USD |
Laundry (per item) | 1 USD |
Merchandise (starting from) | 15 USD |
Few people are granted the opportunity of diving these pristine waters
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Customer Reviews
Take a look at what our customers have said about our liveaboards in the Galápagos
Do you have questions about Galápagos?
Whilst we have a lot information on our website you may find you have additional questions about our Galápagos liveaboard, the diving in the Galápagos or general location information. Via the following link you can find answers to some commonly asked questions. Should you have other questions or queries, please contact our reservations team who will be pleased to assist you.
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