Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos

Name: Central Archipelago, Darwin and Wolf Islands (Baltra - Baltra)
Start: 2026-11-23
End: 2026-11-30
Location: Galapagos

8.8 Fabulous

Nitrox available
Free Internet
Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Warm Water Showers

from $ 698 / day Check dates

“Great trip, very good diving, crew was outstanding”
paul W, United States

Highlights

Two land tours to see giant tortoises and endemic birds
Expansive dive deck, safe charging stations, and upgraded safety features
Member of the Green Fins sustainability and conservation program
Nitrox on board

The MV Humboldt Explorer, of the Explorer Ventures Fleet, offers incredible diving in the Galapagos year-round. Completely renovated in Spring 2023, the vessel is one of the Galapagos's safest, most modern, and most comfortable liveaboards. Humboldt Explorer offers 8 double or twin cabins on the upper or lower decks. All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms, individually controlled AC, and a TV. The air-conditioned salon on the main deck features an entertainment/media area and a large lounge. Meals are served in this salon's dining area, where guests can enjoy views of the Galapagos Islands. Meals are a mix of American and local cuisines. Other notable areas include the top deck with sun loungers, a bar, an al-fresco dining area, and a hot tub to warm up between dives.

Humboldt Explorer also offers a unique 7-night/8-day itinerary; it is the only Galapagos liveaboard to offer 4 days of diving with pelagics at the islands Darwin and Wolf. The dive deck is equipped with individual gear storage, a large camera table and charging station, and a separate fresh water rinse tank for underwater camera equipment. Diving occurs from two large tenders; nitrox is available for those certified. The Humboldt Explorer liveaboard offers incredible diving in the Galapagos year-round. The high season is from July to November when conditions are colder, currents are stronger, and visibility is lower, but this is the best chance to see whale sharks when diving at Darwin and Wolf. The low season is from December to June when the currents are not as strong, the visibility is clearer, and the water is warmer. Hammerheads, eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos and silky sharks, and huge schools of fish are generally present all year.

Book your Humboldt Explorer liveaboard easily online today.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

31 Aug

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

07 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

14 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

21 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

28 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

05 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

12 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

19 Oct

11 Days / 10 Nights

$ 8,995

FULL

30 Oct

11 Days / 10 Nights

$ 8,995

FULL

09 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

16 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

23 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

Included: VAT, Alcoholic Beverages, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.

Required Extras: Chamber Fees ($35), Fuel Surcharge ($150-220), National Park Fees ($100-200), Visas and Fees ($20).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer, Local Flights, Nitrox ($150-220 / trip), Nitrox Course ($170), Rental Gear, Land Excursions, Snorkel Gear.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

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Boat features

Free Internet
Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Seaview Cabins
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Library
Audio & video entertainment
TV in cabins
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Snorkeling Equipment
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Bar

Food & Drinks

Free Wine w/Dinner
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Wine Available
Fine Wines Selection
Snacks All Day
Local Food
Set Menu Dinner

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Dive deck
Tenders for diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English and Spanish.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2009

Length: 111.5 feet

Beam: 21.3 feet

Top speed: 10 knots

Engines: Detroit Diesel 6V92 350HP

Max guests: 16

Number of cabins: 8

Number of bathrooms: 8

Tenders: 2 x rigid hull inflatables

Fuel capacity: 5'300 gallons

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Oxygen
First Aid Kits

Humboldt Explorer Reviews

8.8 Fabulous

Vessel

8.5
Crew

8.9
Food

9.4
Diving

9.1
Value

8.0

10 Exceptional
Jeff P
United States

Galapagos Humboldt Explorer was sensational and exceeded expectations!
Whale sharks. Sharks. Great diving. Excellent food and companions on the boat. Great crew too.
Recommended for
Diving, Crew, Other divers
26 Aug, 2021

9.6 Exceptional
Daniel S
United Kingdom

Excellent boat and great Galapagos diving.
Crew were super friendly and genuinely enjoyed working together. The food was different each day with a wide spread for lunches and dinners. Cabins were cleaned multiple times a day. Dive guides were experts in the area.
Recommended for
Crew. Diving and nature. Boat spec.
05 Jun, 2025

9.2 Superb
Yannick A
United Kingdom

An experience of a lifetime
Exceptional dives, the dive masters took us to fantastic places and really tried their hardest to find everything for us. On board the crew was so helpful and caring. A great experience.
Recommended for
The Dives. The whole team, crew and divemasters. Food.
16 Dec, 2024

10 Exceptional
Uri B
United Kingdom

Friendly and professional crew in one of the most impressive dive destinations
Darwin island was amazing with a massive slow and long whale shark encounter. A mix of dolphins and hammerheads in a single group was also mind blowing!
Recommended for
The diving, the dive guides and the crew
30 Aug, 2023

9.6 Exceptional
Laura R
United States

Blown away!
Everything was a highlight! What an amazing experience!
Recommended for
The location, the crew, and the food
03 Jan, 2017

9.6 Exceptional
tammy S
United States

Exceeded expectations
Our 2 groups had a total of 21 whale shark sightings which was so amazing. The diligence of the crew to make sure that we were always happy and comfortable was very much appreciated. Loved the land excursion with the tortoises at the end.
Recommended for
The diving was spectacular, the crew worked in harmony and was very efficient and respectful and the scenery was amazing
15 Jun, 2022

10 Exceptional
Jialin W
United States

The body is in hell, and the soul is in heaven.
It's been a few months since I left Humboldt, and my first Galapagos diving trip made me unforgettable. The underwater beauty, delicious food, and friendly staff made me decide to return to Galapagos in May 2020.
Recommended for
Underwater views, dedicated staff and delicious food.
14 Jan, 2020

8.8 Fabulous
Andrea Z
Italy

great & challenging
hammerhead, nice boat, too many divers for each dive guide
Recommended for
hammerhead, crew service, food
03 May, 2017

8.8 Fabulous
Mark
Netherlands

Great experience but could be better
Great mix of dives with land excursions. Though focussed on the beautiful animals and fun, always serious about safety and respecting the environment. Would advise 1) mention that nitrox certificate is needed if you want to join all dives 2) fuel charges in the fixed trip cost 3) do something to remove fuel smell from forward cabins.
Recommended for
Crew & guides. Service level. Food.
08 Dec, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
rodolphe D
France

Best diving ever
Best diving trip ever. Sharks sharks and sharks, hammerheads and Galapagos sharks everywhere, whale sharks, Tiger shark, Silk sharks, dolphins, sea lions, seals, turtles,… I don’t know where to begin, a truly unbelievable experience
Recommended for
Unreal diving. Great team, service and vibes. Perfect facilities.
16 Aug, 2025

116 reviews

8.8 Fabulous
116 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

8.8 Fabulous
Ingo L
Germany

Great boat and exceptional dive spots
Many many sharks, rays, turtles, great weather, really good food
Recommended for
Lots of Hammerheads, playful seals and a wonderful barbecue on the sun deck
04 Mar, 2018

8.4 Very good
Rene B
Switzerland

Breathtaking experience
Darwin, being able to see so many Whale Sharks. The food was always at great standards and usually very tasty. Everybody was very nice and attentive. The cabin was spacious and comfortable.
Recommended for
Food, comfort, dives
09 Sep, 2016

8.0 Very good
Eszter G
Hungary

Once in a lifetime experience
Incredible dives, perfect food and excellent crew. The ship is old, but the crew compensates it with the service. I can only recommend.
Recommended for
Diving sights, crew, food
26 Aug, 2021

10 Exceptional
Aymeric M
France

Excellent
fantastic all the way!
Recommended for
Dive sites, people and overall experince
16 Jun, 2021

8.8 Fabulous
Elias T
Israel

This was my first visit to the Galapagos Islands, and honestly, my expectations were very high. Nevertheless, the trip exceeded all my expectations, especially the diving experience, which was amazing
This was my first visit to the Galapagos Islands, and honestly, my expectations were very high. Nevertheless, the trip exceeded all my expectations, especially the diving experience, which was amazing. Choosing the 11-day trip instead of the 8-day one was a wise decision, as it allowed us to visit many places that would be difficult to see on a shorter trip. The guides were highly professional, which I can say from my experience on many liveaboard. The food was delicious, the room service was excellent, and the crew was very cooperative and organized. However, I found the boat to be somewhat modest and in need of some maintenance.
Recommended for
The guides were amazing. The diving experience overall was incredible. The crew's cooperation was great.
16 Dec, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Jamie N
United Kingdom

Amazing Galápagos adventure with a fantastic crew
This liveaboard trip was an incredible experience and an unforgettable way to visit the Galápagos. I’m really glad I decided to spend some extra time on land as well, because there is so much to discover beyond the diving. The islands are truly unique and exploring them both above and below the water made the trip even more special. The crew was amazing throughout the entire trip, professional, friendly, and always making sure everyone was comfortable and taken care of. Their effort and positive attitude really added to the overall experience. The only downside was that the underwater visibility wasn’t very good during some dives. However, that’s simply part of nature and obviously not something the crew or operator can control. Overall it was a fantastic adventure and a great way to experience the Galápagos. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dive trip.
Recommended for
Crew. People. Food.
13 Mar, 2026

10 Exceptional
seulky K
South Korea

Everything is perfect!
In wolf island, I could see schooling of hammerhead sharks! Whaleshark as well :-)
Recommended for
Dive guide, food, free beer!
20 Jul, 2017

9.6 Exceptional
MÓNICA R
Spain

Unforgettable trip
Galapagos is a unique dive site in the world, it does not disappoint: every dive is a new surprise
Recommended for
Good dive spots, 10 crew attention, good organization
26 Aug, 2021

Translated from Spanish

9.2 Superb
Frank G
United Kingdom

Dive trip of a lifetime, no. 1 dive destination
Close encounter with hundreds of hammerheads, intense diving experience with a great crew and a lovely group of fellow divers
Recommended for
Schooling hammerheads, massive variety of other marine life, food on board
27 May, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
Jorge G
Spain

Amazing trip
Amazing experience diving with sharks in Wolf and Darwin islands. The crew was very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. All the services received were fabulous. Definitely I´ll repeat this trip. Thanks to do real this dream.
Recommended for
Crew, diving and received treatment.
28 Mar, 2019

10 Exceptional
Susanne K
Austria

Fantastic
Marine life, birds, Crew
Recommended for
Valhai, Delphine, Seahen
30 Aug, 2023

Translated from Dutch

8.0 Very good
Adam H
United Kingdom

Humboldt Explorer
Schools of hammerheads but also the pods of thousands of dolphins at Wolf and Darwin. The marine life was amazing We also saw Killer whales and the crew did everything to get us out on the pangas to get the best experience My partner was a non diver and was snorkelling with hammerhead, Galapagos and silkie sharks as well as the sea lions, again big thanks to the crew.
Recommended for
Hammerhead sharks, dolphins and crew
03 Jan, 2018

9.6 Exceptional
Megan H
United States

Really positive experience
--Dives were fantastic with flexibility. We saw everything from massive amounts of sharks to turtles to manta rays to eels. The sea lions are super social. I honestly don't know how you would experience Galapagos without being on a liveaboard. The Humboldt vessel was near perfect, except maybe TOO much air conditioning indoors. I'll forgive them for that. I was cold pretty much the whole time! --I wrote my internal review to the company before the land excursion; the land excursion on Santa Cruz was kind of meh (visiting the turtles). Not the cruise company's fault. --On Humboldt, the crew was super cheerful, delightful, very cohesive, and seemed to love their jobs/lives. It was idyllic. This was the most advanced dive experience that I've had. The expectation was that we'd handle our own BCD setup and gear prep. The dives were tough with the currents. You definitely needed that 100-plus dive experience. It was also 1 dive guide for 8 divers. This was very different than my last (and only other) liveaboard experience. The last one in Thailand had a ratio of 1 guide to two or three divers. In that case, the divers were newer and burned through air in 20 minutes. This advanced dive experience was better with no drama on ear pressure, masks, buoyancy, or temperature. We stayed down for upwards of 55 minutes. --Food amazing. So many fresh fruits and vegetables. Seafood delicious. --There was always hot coffee and hot water for tea. Loved this. --I'm really happy with the whole experience.
Recommended for
(1) crew super nice and happy and loved each other, (2) great dives, (3) smart logistics
03 Jan, 2024

10 Exceptional
chris C
United States

Hammerheads as far as the eye can see
Hammerheads, warm tea and towels after each dive, ease of booking thru liveaboard.com
Recommended for
Attention of the crew, drink package, ease of booking
14 Apr, 2021

7.6 Good
Matthias J
Germany

Great dives!
Very good - met the expectations
Recommended for
Dive sites, the big fish, the seals
18 Mar, 2016

8.4 Very good
Jessica A
United States

Epic diving in the Galapagos exceeded all expectations
We had been anticipating this trip for a long time. We saw everything we were hoping to see- schooling hammerheads, multiple whale sharks, marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, silkies, white tips, green sea turtles, even a tiger shark! The crew went above and beyond to make our week extra special. I am already dreaming of my return.
Recommended for
The diving at Darwin was spectacular. The dive crew was fantastic and accommodating. They let us do a night dive when it wasn’t originally planned. We also saw the marine iguanas.
21 Sep, 2018

8.8 Fabulous
Sarah S
New Zealand

One of best liveaboards in one of the best diving spots in the world
It was excellent all round.
Recommended for
The guides were excellent - focus on safety while keeping a calm relax atmosphere.. The crew really looked after you. The itinerary - lots of diving on Wolf and Dawin Islands. The 2 land excursions included created an overall excellent Galapagos experience..
12 Aug, 2024

6.4 Review score
Anne M
France

Worth the long-distance trip for Wolf and Darwin dive sites
Diving at Wolf and Darwin is a fabulous experience with many sharks, sea lions and dolphins. The rest of the dive sites usually have lower visibility (15-30 ft / 5-10 m) but have an abundance of critters with small and big animals. The boat and crew were average. The crew just seems to go through the motions. The food was good. but there are much better boats around in terms of comfort, crew and food. The only advange of this trip is the itinerary where they usually spend more days at Wolf/Darwin than other boats.
Recommended for
The diving, the dive sites (3 days in Wolf/Darwin), the dive guides
21 Jun, 2021

10 Exceptional
Luis L
Portugal

Almost Perfect if it wasn’t for the (untrained!) whale sharks not showing up
Starting with an extremely experienced attentive crew that anticipated every possible need or diving expectation and ending on a varied group of well balanced guests: it all felt like family at home! Food was catered to every moment, dietary restriction & imaginable taste — safety and service went beyond any possible expectations. The only and unfortunately most negative aspect was not seeing whale sharks, off season (entirely divers luck and nothing to do with Humboldt experience).
Recommended for
Diving experience and guides. Friendly helpful staff. Food options and service.
29 May, 2026

9.2 Superb
Mary D
Canada

Great dive trip
The staff went above and beyond. I was always the last person to go to bed and the staff kept me company. They helped with my camera and the divemaster was the best. Had problems with my dry suit and he noticed it and came to my rescue. The food was great. The accommodations were good also. I booked single and they gave me my own room. The diving has been the best so far. Schools of hammerhead sharks.
Recommended for
Diving. staff. food.
23 Sep, 2025