iExplore Galapagos Dive Experience(Trip #65784)

Tour Overview

Welcome to the Galapagos! Swept by both the cold waters of Antarctica and warm currents from the tropical Pacific, the underwater world of the Galapagos is as uniquely enchanting as the islands themselves. Here penguins swim with tropical fish and iguana feed underwater. Fur sea lions, hammerhead sharks, turtles and the magnificent mantas are just a fraction of the species that thrive in one of the world’s top dive spots. Remember, the entire archipelago has been declared a marine reserve, which protects marine life 15 nautical miles off shore and prohibits industrial fishing 40 nautical miles off shore.

Aboard the M/Y Sky Dancer you can explore Darwin’s living laboratory while luxuriating in all the creature comforts of a Peter Hughes Diving custom-built vessel for up to 16 divers. Accommodations include 8 private, en-suite cabins with two twin or one king bed with window or port light, private head/shower, mirrored cabinet and wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer and toiletries. The elegant M/Y Sky Dancer is fully air-conditioned and features a spacious lounge area and fine dining. Two dive masters and up to four dives a day ensure that your voyage transcends into a treasured adventure!

Sky Dancer’s 7-night itinerary offers a total of approximately 21 dives and 3 land excursions, and covers 565.5 nautical miles of ocean. It has two days with long navigation's (15 hours from Wolf to North Seymour and back). Tender diving is the rule rather than the exception. There will be up to four dives per day including night dives at Wolf and Darwin. The first two days and the last two days will be a combination of shore excursions with 2-3 dives per day. Most dives are drift dives along the cliff faces or offshore rocks and pinnacles. Itineraries may be changed due to current or pending weather conditions or at the Captain’s discretion to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew. All dives are dependant upon the skill level of the divers.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday
San Cristobal, Galapagos
Upon arrival in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, the crew of the Sky Dancer meets you at the airport and escorts you to your dive live-aboard. After the initial briefing, there is a mandatory check-out dive at Isla Lobos where we encounter sea lions.

At sunset, we circumnavigate Kicker Rock, a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. Here we see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds on the cliffs.
Dinner
M/Y Sky Dancer

Day 2: Monday
Seymour & Bartolome Islands
In the south side of Seymour Island and no deeper than 50 feet, the northern channel is superb. It features an enormous “field” of garden eels, stingrays, a school of spotted eagle rays, white tipped reef sharks and thick schools of grunts, snappers and goatfish. When Dr. Silvia Earle described the Galapagos as “the fishiest place in the world”, she had probably dove this site.

On Bartolome, a lunar landscape stretches out in front of us. This young island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30-minutes up a steep slope to the summit of a once active volcano. From the top, gaze out across a panoramic view including the famous “Pinnacle Rock”, an eroded tuff cone. Down below, crystal clear water invites you to swim with the tropical fish. Penguins often swim in this area.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
M/Y Sky Dancer

Days 3-5: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Wolf & Darwin Islands
We spend the next three days diving at Wolf & Darwin with up to four or five dives per day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the central islands. Most experienced divers will agree, Wolf & Darwin are the best diving spots in the world! Sightings of the whale shark is common here. There are no land visitor sites here, just serious diving. At the Northern Arch at Darwin, Hammerhead Sharks are not uncommon, nor are bottlenose dolphins. The reef contains many warm water varieties of fish found nowhere else in the islands and is the most consistent place to see Hammerheads.

Darwin Island: Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin Island 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, we can almost guarantee whale sharks in numbers of up to 8 different individuals in one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue killer whales, adds on to this amazing dive 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 in 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 the 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.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
M/Y Sky Dancer

Day 6: Friday
Isabela- Santiago Islands
At Cape Marshall on the eastern side of Isabela Island, we encounter rocky volcanic cliffs that drop down to the ocean floor as an almost vertical wall. You might see large animals like manta rays, marbled rays, hammerhead sharks, mola mola (sunfish) and marine turtles, but also Chevron Barracuda, snappers, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, Wahoo and groupers. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like Creole fishes, parrotfishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific boxfishes and tiger snake eels.

This afternoon we disembark for a land visit along the shores of Puerto Egas, Santiago (James) Island, looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of the marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Our walk ends at the grottos- deep pools of clear water where we encounter sea lions once on the verge of extinction. During the night dive at a depth of no more than 30 feet we may find the red-lipped batfish.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
M/Y Sky Dancer

Day 7: Saturday
South Plaza & Santa Cruz Islands
Gordon Rocks, off South Plaza Island, an advanced dive, is famous for white-tipped, hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, large moray eels, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, sting rays, fur sea lions, sea turtles, Amberjacks, reef fish, sponges and black coral. Dive with Wahoo, tuna, sailfish and other big pelagic fish. Divers consider the wall at Gordon Rocks one of the best dive spots in the central islands. The current is strong and the maximum depth is 100 feet.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on the island of Santa Cruz. Scientists from all over the world work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. Have your picture taken with the giant tortoises. Observe year-old tortoises and learn about the captive breeding program.

Stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population: 15,000)- the largest town in the Galapagos. Buy souvenirs, mail postcards and absorb the local charm in the social heart of the islands.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
M/Y Sky Dancer

Day 8: Sunday
Depart the Galapagos
This morning we visit the Interpretive Center to learn more about the natural and human history of the islands before returning to town to connect with your flight back to the mainland.
Breakfast

Departure Dates

Departures of the M/Y Sky Dancer are every Sunday to Sunday.

Prices

2009
$4,195 per person, double occupancy, Twin Stateroom
$4,395 per person, double occupancy, Master Stateroom

2010
$4,995 per person, double occupancy, Twin Stateroom
$5,195 per person, double occupancy, Master Stateroom

Master Staterooms: cabins 1-4 are located on the Lido Deck and have two twin beds (can be converted to a king bed), private facilities, window view, mirrored cabinet, wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer, toiletries, fresh towels daily, air-conditioning and volume controls.

Twin (Deluxe) Staterooms: cabins 5-8 are located on the Dolphin Deck and have two twin beds, private facilities, port light view, mirrored cabinet, wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer, toiletries, fresh towels daily, air-conditioning and volume controls.

Inclusions: Cabin accommodations, all meals, snacks, beverages (including national brands of alcohol), filled tanks, weights, weight belt, 21 dives and 3 land excursions, services of naturalist guides/dive masters, transfers in the islands between airport and dock (on cruise dates).

Exclusions: International airfare to Ecuador, airfare to the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100), hyperbaric chamber fee ($35), TCT Card ($10), gratuities to guides and crew, purchases at the boutique, Nitrox course or fills, dive gear equipment rentals, required safety equipment rentals, underwater photo course or camera equipment, pre and or post cruise services in Quito, travel insurance and visa fees, if required.

Special notes: All visitors traveling to the Galapagos will be required to buy a $10 transit control card (Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito) TCT. The value of the card is in addition to the $100 fee for entrance to the Galapagos National Park. For new bookings, we ask the $10 be prepaid in order to expedite check-in processes. Please contact your sales agent for further assistance for prepaying the card.

Hyperbaric Chamber fee: Located in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, a hyperbaric chamber has the most recent technology and trained professional medics to treat dive related illnesses.

Galapagos dive guides: An expert dive instructor and a dive master who are also naturalist guides, certified by the Galapagos National Park Service will be provided. The guides are qualified divers with essential knowledge of specific diving locations with their respective interest and dangers.

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 compressor (BCD), dry suit or thick wet suit (1/4” or 5-7mm), hood and gloves, flashlight and chemical light sticks (for night dives). Open water diving certification and required safety equipment including a dive alert, inflatable safety sausage (surface marker buoy) and mini-strobe. Optional items: underwater camera, video camera, and dive computer.

Each diver is required to bring and dive with the personal safety devices on every dive. If you do not already own your own surface safety equipment, we strongly encourage you to visit your local dive store and purchase them prior to commencing your Sky Dancer voyage. You should be able to obtain all three items for under $150. Divers who do not have this required equipment will not be allowed to dive. We will maintain a limited inventory on the vessel for rental, but we strongly encourage you to get your own and be familiar with it. A “Surface Safety Package” that includes all three items will rent for $30 for 7 nights.

Dive Alert: This is an air powered surface signaling device that transmits a loud noise over distances much farther than you can shout or whistle. It is powered by air from your tank.

Inflatable Safety Sausage: This device can be inflated using your alternate air source or your lungs. It raises a bright orange or yellow tube approximately six feet above your head. Waving this while on the surface greatly increases your visibility to the crew on your vessel or tender. The safety sausage can be carried in your BC pocket or attached to your BC.

Mini-Strobe: When activated, this compact marker strobe flashes a light at regular intervals. It is a good way to indicate your position on the surface during dusk or night dives to the vessel or tender.

Dive Certification and safety waivers: The Galapagos National Park regulations require that all guests must carry their Diving Certification Cards for verification of our training. Photocopies will NOT be accepted. Please bring your certification card and log book (s) for verification of your dive training and experience. You will be required to complete and sign a “Waiver of Claims, Express Assumption Of The Risk, Release of Liability, and Indemnity Agreement” form prior to your arrival. Please remember that you alone are responsible for determining your medical and physical fitness to dive prior to taking part in any other activities during this trip.

ALL DIVING ANS SHIPBOARD ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCTED AT YOUR OWN RISK. We take no responsibility with respect to your determination. If you have any questions concerning your medical or physical fitness to dive or take part in any such activities, please consult your personal physician.

Trip Information

Hyperbaric chamber fee:
Located in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, a hyperbaric chamber has the most recent technology and trained professional medics to treat dive related illness.

Purchases on board:
There is a “Boatique” on board that sells a selection of logo clothing, film, batteries, etc. Every guest has an open tab which is paid on the last day of the cruise. We accept cash, Travelers checks, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Galapagos dive guides:
Ecoventura will supply an expert dive Instructor and a dive master who are also naturalist guides certified by the Galapagos National Park Service. The guides are qualified divers with essential knowledge of specific diving locations with their respective interest and dangers.

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 and gloves, Flashlight and chemical light sticks (for night dives), Open water diving certification. Optional items: Underwater camera, video camera, dive computer.