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Day 1 - Baltra Island -- (1 check-out dive at Punta Carrion)
AM: n the morning, you will fly from Quito or Guayaquil (on the Ecuadorian mainland) to Baltra Island, which is the heart of the Galapagos archipelago and the main point of entrance to this natural paradise. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will need to pay the national park entry fee, which goes to protecting both the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve. A member of the Surtrek team will then welcome you and accompany you to your ship, the Tiburon Explorer.
PM: Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, and listen to the briefings. After the briefings, the guests will do a check-out dive at Punta Carrion. At Punta Carrion, the dives are between 40 and 90 feet. During these, you are likely to see Whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, Eagle rays and Marbled rays, Scorpionfish, sea turtles, and sea lions. After dinner, the vessel will depart to the next scheduled destination.
Day 2 - Baltra North -- (2 dives) // North Seymour (Land Visit)
AM: This morning, we will take two dives off Baltra Island, formed by volcanic tuff. The dive sites in these areas are characterized by their eroded surfaces covered by soft corals and gorgonians. Highlights include nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, sea lions, eagle rays, and schooling fish.
PM: After a dry landing on North Seymour Island, we will take a short walk along its coast, where you will encounter Swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and Cliff crabs. This part of Seymour Island is also known for being a major nesting site for Blue-footed boobies and one of the largest colonies of Magnificent frigatebirds (a species different from the Great frigatebird). As you enjoy this relaxing hike around various nesting sites, you can also spot both of the endemic species of iguanas: marine iguanas and land iguanas. Depart for Wolf Island (long transit)
Day 3 - Wolf Island -- (4 Dives)
AM: Wolf Island, named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, is an extinct volcano that reaches 253 m. (780 ft.) above sea level and lies some 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted however birdlife, including red-footed boobies and vampire finch, may be spotted from the boat. For our dives here we choose from a selection of reefs and walls, most having typically medium to strong currents where the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling pelagics are the main draw with sightings of hammerheads, white tips, and Galapagos sharks at each site. During the season (May-November) whale sharks may also be seen here. Divers should also be on the lookout for red-lipped batfish, barracudas, moray eels, and dolphins! This evening, we’ll possibly go on a night dive for a different underwater perspective.
Day 4 - Darwin Island -- (4 Dives)
AM: Darwin Island, an extinct volcano reaching 165 m. (490 ft.) above sea level, was named in honor of naturalist Charles Darwin. It is amongst the smallest island within the Galapagos Archipelago and like Wolf Island, no land visits are permitted. Perhaps the most famed dive site is “Darwin’s Arch” which provides an amazing drift dive along the wall at an average depth of just 9 meters. Medium to strong currents are to be expected but bring with them hammerheads, black tips, silky and Galapagos sharks – and in large numbers! 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 spent here. Whale sharks may also be seen between May-November.
Day 5 - Darwin Island -- (3 - 4 Dives)
AM: Today provides another chance to explore the world-famous water of waters of Darwin Island, where sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Transit to Cabo Douglas (12 hours)
Day 6 - Cape Douglas -- (1-2 Dives) // Punta Vicente Roca (1-2 Dives)
AM: Located in the most nutrient-rich waters of Fernandina Island, Cape Douglas offers an amazing drift dive for encountering marine iguanas, and penguins. Fur seals and sea lions also mingle with snacking marine iguanas, and penguins are likely to zoom past you. This morning we will make two (2) dives at Cabo Douglas.
PM: Alternatively known as "The Ice Box", due to its chilling thermoclines, Punta Vicente Ramon Roca – off the northwest coast of Isabela Island – offers a wall drift dive, along which mola mola can be spotted. The occasional Port Jackson shark may also be seen as well as the endemic Camotillo (White-spotted sand bass). Yet Punta Vicente Roca is not just for the larger marine life but is also a fantastic place to spot pacific seahorses, frogfish, octopus, nudibranchs, flatworms, and a variety of sponges. We stick to a maximum depth of 30 m. (100 ft.) with an average of 18 m. (60 ft.) whilst enjoying some milder currents! After dinner, the vessel will depart to the next scheduled destination: Cousins Rock (10 hours).
Day 7 - Cousin´s Rock -- (2 Dives) // Santa Cruz: Highlands (Land Visit)
AM: This morning we will make two (2) dives at Cousins Rock, which is another famous Galapagos dive site. Located northeast of the coast of Santiago Island and north of Bartolome Island, Cousins Rock offers the opportunity to sight seahorses, frogfish, and nudibranchs. Sea lions, rays, and pelagics are also common encounters. With a depth range from 3 – 27 meters (10 – 90 feet), Cousins Rock has an average visibility of 9 – 18 meters and a moderate current from the southeast. Surge is moderate in the shallow areas.
PM: This afternoon we will arrive at either Itabaca Channel or Puerto Ayora, both on Santa Cruz Island. Lunch will be served while transiting to Santa Cruz (3 hours), after which time guests will disembark at 1 p.m. to go ashore for a private bus tour to see the beautiful Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. This will include a scenic view over Santa Cruz and a giant tortoise reserve. After the hike, guests can walk through the town of Puerto Ayora, shop, and visit the Fausto Llerena tortoise-breeding center at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Return to the Tiburon Explorer at 8:30 p.m.
Day 8 - Baltra Airport -- Return Flight to Mainland Ecuador
AM: Concluding this amazing experience in the Galapagos Islands, you will be transferred by 9 am to the Baltra Island airport for your return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland. Enjoy your last look back at the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with inspiring natural wonders.
Price per person
8 Days (Double)
USD$ 7195
Included in the price
- 7 nights/8 days on board the vessel
- Up to 4 dives daily (weather permitting)
- 3 meals daily, except last evening’s meal
- Between- dive snacks
- Water, coffee and tea 24/7
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Towels, linens, etc.
- Use of tanks, weights, and weight belts
- All air fills
- Transfers within Galapagos Islands for same-day arrivals & departures
- Local alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
- Services of a multi-lingual divemaster
- All excursions listed in the program/itinerary
Not included in the price
- Airport transfers in Quito or Guayaquil, along with assistance at the respective airport
- Hotel accommodations
- Flights to/from Galapagos
- Last evening meal (Friday)
- Wetsuit, BCD, regulator
- Rental, instruction, and retail charges
- Dive computer, fins, masks, booties, gloves, hoods
- Crew gratuities
- Trip cancellation & dive accident insurance
- Quito/Guayaquil departure taxes
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Galapagos national park tax – $100 pp, cash only. Payable upon arrival at Galapagos airport.
- INGALA transit card – ($20 pp, cash only), payable in cash at Quito or Guayaquil airport of departure for Galapagos
- Nitrox: $150 per person
- Fuel surcharge, $150 per person
- Hyperbaric chamber ($35)
- Tips and personal expenses
- Guaranteed Single Occupancy is billed an additional 80% of the retail stateroom price.
- Personal travel insurance
- Fuel surcharge ($150.00) until July 2021
