Master the Galápagos (7 nights)
Mandatory Requirements: Minimum of 50 logged dives, PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, Nitrox, and experience in currents.
Duration
7 nights
Skill level
– Advanced Open Water
– Minimum 50 dives
– Experience in currents
Overview
Strong currents
Hammerhead sharks
Volcanic topography
Dolphins
Sunfish
PLEASE NOTE: Due to changes in Galápagos National Park Operator Permits, we are no longer able to offer 10-night itineraries, apart from those that are already scheduled.
The Master the Galápagos liveaboard itinerary visits many of the best scuba diving areas of the Galápagos Islands. The Galápagos are an archipelago of volcanic islands straddling the equator about 970 km west of mainland Ecuador and cover a distance of 220km from North to South. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve, the Galápagos Islands are an Ecuadorian province and a National Park. The islands are world-renowned for their endemic species, which were studied and chronicled by Charles Darwin during his 1835 voyage on the HMS Beagle. In addition to the unique land-based wildlife, the Galápagos Islands are celebrated for breath-taking underwater encounters including schooling hammerheads at Wolf Island and Darwin Island, Galápagos sharks, marine iguanas and Galápagos penguins. Few people are granted the opportunity of diving these pristine waters and no place on Earth offers such a variety of special sightings above and below the surface.
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
Maps & Itinerary
Most of the diving on this itinerary is unsuitable for entry-level divers. Advanced Open Water with a minimum of 50 logged dives and experience in currents is a mandatory requirement.
You may wonder what all this fuss is about, but we can assure you that the Galápagos Islands are deserving of all the titles bestowed upon them. Being located in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres, and where 3 main ocean currents cross paths, the islands are already an oddity in themselves.
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 islands, islets and rocky outcrops that form the Galapagos Archipelago are globally famed for rare land and marine species found nowhere else. Charles Darwin’s wildlife observations and collections in the Galapagos during the voyage of HMS Beagle contributed to his famous ‘Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection’.
Diving conditions in Galápagos are often challenging, even for experienced scuba divers, but the underwater encounters will be unforgettable, making your Master the Galápagos liveaboard diving holiday one that is filled with memories to last you a lifetime.
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 7, dives 3 and 4 will be substituted by an island visit. Before your flight home, you may also opt to visit the Interpretation Centre on San Cristobal Island.
PLEASE NOTE
The Master the Galapagos liveaboard itinerary involves some extensive periods of cruising, particularly to and from Wolf & Darwin; the longer crossings will be overnight. The same islands and dive sites are included on each trip, although the Galápagos National Park authorities dictate the order, which may vary weekly. The itinerary is subject to change depending on local regulations and permits, weather conditions and logistics and is at the Captain’s discretion.
Water temperatures can drop to 15°C (59°F) or even lower. We recommend bringing additional thermal layers to wear under your 5mm or 7mm wetsuit. You will also need to bring gloves, a 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 | 200 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 | ||
Equipment | 7 nights: | 10 nights: |
|---|---|---|
Full set (not including computer) | 300 USD | 450 USD |
Full-length wetsuit (7mm) | 84 USD | 126 USD |
Regulators | 84 USD | 126 USD |
BCD | 84 USD | 126 USD |
Dive Computer | 84 USD | 126 USD |
Fins | 36 USD | 54 USD |
Booties (5mm) | 36 USD | 54 USD |
Gloves (5mm) | 80 USD | 120 USD |
Hood (5mm) | 80 USD | 120 USD |
Mask | 36 USD | 54 USD |
Extra 12L cylinder | 84 USD | 126 USD |
15L cylinder | 84 USD | 126 USD |
Nitrox (Single tank) | 168 USD | 252 USD |
Nitrox (Double tanks) | 216 USD | 324 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.
*A charge of 450 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.
Beer (bottle) | 6 USD |
Local Artisan Beer | 6.50 USD |
Heineken Beer | 11 USD |
Indian Tonic water | 4 USD |
Spirits (per shot) | 15 USD |
Cocktails | 15 USD |
House Wine (per glass) | 10 USD |
House Wine (per bottle) | 40 USD |
Sparkling Wine (per bottle) | 50 USD |
Wi-Fi Data package (7 nights) | 40 USD |
Wi-Fi Data package (10 nights) | 50 USD |
Laundry (per item) | 1 USD |
Merchandise (starting from) | 15 USD |
World-renowned for its vast endemic and unique wildlife.
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Customer Reviews
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Do you have questions about Galápagos?
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