Waterproof Cruises

Diving live-aboard Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands offer some of the best diving in the world! In these clear waters you can can dive with hundreds of hammerhead sharks and might also come across whale sharks, sea turtles or giant rays.

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Diving live-aboard Galapagos

Explore the underwater world of the Galapagos Islands during an 8 day / 7 night dedicated scuba liveaboard cruise. Meet incredible marine life and enjoy only the most spectacular diving sites the Galapagos Islands have to offer! You will be able to participate in up to 4 dives a day and there's even 1 night dive on the itinerary. Three days of diving are spent at the remote northern islands of Wolf and Darwin, where you can find incredible numbers of sharks! Other dive sites are Cabo Douglas, a likely place to see the endemic Marine Iguanas, and Punta Vicente Roca where you might encounter Mola Mola!

Advanced diving Galapagos

We believe the Galapagos are a divers paradise, however only available to advanced divers as water temperatures, visibility and currents are often challenging. Diving in the Galapagos Islands is done year round. The water temperature depends on the time of year, location in the archipelago and the ocean currents. It can range from 16 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius, which is relatively cold for the equator. Depths can be 20-30 meters. We recommend you have done 50-100 open water dives, have experience in currents, the ability to remove your gear in the water and the ability to get in and out of a small boat in choppy seas. Nitrox certification is highly recommended.

Galapagos on land

During landings you can get thrillingly close to unique wildlife species, including Penguins, Blue- and Red-Footed boobies, Marine iguanas, Giant tortoises and more. You will be an eye-witness of evolution at its greatest, from incredible lava formations to the amazing endemic animals living here!

In order to reach the Galapagos Islands, all travellers must take a flight from one of mainland Ecuador’s two largest cities (Quito or Guayaquil). Due to flight schedules, this normally requires at least an overnight stay in continental Ecuador. As with any expedition cruise, the daily schedule and activities are weather depending. We do our utmost to ensure you have the best experience possible, however dive sites and excursions may change during the voyage. The itinerary includes 3 dive days at the remote northern islands of Wolf and Darwin where you can find incredible numbers of sharks! You will be able to participate in up to 4 dives a day and there's even 1 night dive on the itinerary.

  • Day 1: Embark + check out dive at Isla Lobos

    Your guide will meet you at the airport of San Cristobal, assist you with the luggage and accompany you on the short bus ride to the motor yacht Galapagos Sky. After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch on-board.

    After lunch we will go to Isla Lobos for your check out dive, as this spot is the perfect start for your adventure. Under water you are likely to spot Fur Seals, Trumpet Fish, Green Turtles, Rays, white-tip sharks and possibly marine iguanas, although they are not very common here.

  • Day 2: Bartolome & Cousin's Rock

    Your day starts with a land tour and a hike up to the top of the island from where you have spectacular views of the surrounding islands. On the way back down, you will walk through a unique volcanic landscape. Here you can admire the remarkable ability of nature adapting to these extraordinary conditions, something the guide will certainly point out to you.
    After the hike you can take a refreshing swim and go snorkeling near the underwater caves and rocks in the area. You will likely find sharks, rays and tropical fish and maybe also some Galápagos Penguins swimming with you!
    Located east of Santiago Island, Bartolome is known for its unique spear-like pinnacle. Here we will dive and go around a rocky platform and float around underwater cliffs that start at 15m. This gives us a good chance to see pelagic animals.

    Cousin’s rock is located north-east of Santiago island, near Bartolome. This site has a unique and stunning topography of jagged rocky shelves where animals, both big and small, can be found resting and feeding. It is one of the few places where you can see endemic black coral amongst the riot of colourful clams, algae, flora and fauna that cover the rocks like splashes of paint. During our surface interval, look out for penguins that inhabit the surrounding area. You can expect to see many different marine mammals.

  • Day 3: Wolf Island

    Named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano reaches 253 meter / 780 feet above sea level and lies around 160 kilometer / 100 miles northwest of Isabela Island. Unfortunately land visits are not permitted, however, bird life may be spotted from the boat.
    We will dive at El Derrumbe and Shark Bay, two of the very best diving sites to see hammerheads and Galapagos sharks. Most dives around the reefs and walls have medium to strong currents. Therefore, the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling fish and sharks are the main attraction, but between you can also see rays, turtles, marine mammals and other iconic Galápagos wildlife.

  • Day 4: Darwin Island

    Darwin Island is on of the smallest islands within the Galapagos Archipelago and like Wolf Island, no land visits are permitted. It is a volcano which reaches 165 meter / 490 feet above sea level and was named after naturalist Charles Darwin. One of the most famed diving sites is Darwin's Towers, formerly called Darwin's Arch, which collapsed in 2021. This location offers a challenging yet spectacular drift dive along the wall at an average depth of just 9m. Mostly medium to strong currents are to be expected. You may see many hammerheads, black tips, silky and Galapagos sharks! Schools of jacks are a common sight, along with turtles, angelfish and moray eels. Occasional sightings of tiger sharks, manta rays and bottlenose dolphins make for a thrilling time. Whale sharks may also be seen between May and November.

    Day 5: Wolf & Darwin Island

    Today we will have another dive at Darwin Island in the morning and we'll return to Wolf Island for more diving in the afternoon.

  • Day 6: Vicente Roca Point & Cape Douglas

    We will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse-shape. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner, the collapsed amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The waters of the coves are much calmer compared against the ocean swell and are great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and even seahorses!

    Cape Douglas will provide you with amazing diving opportunities as well. As you prepare for your dive, you can see Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Flightless Cormorants, and Galapagos Marine Iguanas- animals only found exclusively on the Islands. A sure sight is incredible marine iguanas swimming and feeding on the rocks under the surface.

  • Day 7: Pinzón and Tortoise Reserve

    Pinzón is a small island located off the western coast of Santa Cruz, about 1 hour from Puerto Ayora. It is a great spot for beginners and experienced divers, offering many playful sea lions, turtles, and red lipped batfish. The deep drop off wall is for more experienced divers, and is a great spot to see sea horses, rays, different species of sharks, and lobster. In the warmer months, Pinzón is a favourite site for the Manta Rays and pods of dolphins.
    You will also have the opportunity to explore Santa Cruz Island ashore during a land tour, including a visit to the Tortoise Reserve.

  • Day 8: Disembarkation

    It’s time to say goodbye to Galapagos! Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage ashore, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.

Motor yacht Galapagos Sky has weekly departures year round. Cruises are 8 days / 7 nights and start from San Cristobal. There are options for 15 day itineraries by combining a diving liveaboard cruise with a 7-night Explorer Cruise. A 5% discount to the cabin rate is available for guests completing back to back voyages on Galapagos Sky and one of its' sister yachts.

Dates & Rates

Galapagos Sky
8 days/7 nights diving live-aboard for maximum 16 guests.


2023: Master Cabin $ 7.495 pp / Deluxe Twin Cabin $ 7.195 pp
2024: Master Cabin $ 7.695 pp / Deluxe Twin Cabin $ 7.395 pp
2025: Master Cabin $ 7.695 pp / Deluxe Twin Cabin $ 7.395 pp


All prices are per person in US$, depending on availability and subject to change. A single surcharge of 65-100% is applicable. Sharing accomodation is possible. A private dive guide can be booked for $1750 per week.


This is a dedicated scuba liveaboard, there is no discount for non-divers.

Extensions

Call us today on +31 (0) 858 771 583