Galaxy Diver II, Galapagos

Galaxy Diver II — A Trip of a Lifetime in the Galápagos

There are trips you take, and then there are trips that change you. Our week aboard Galaxy Diver II (3rd–10th June 2025) falls firmly, irrevocably, into the second category. My wife and I have dived in many corners of the world, but nothing — nothing — prepared us for what we experienced in the Galápagos, and nothing could have made it as extraordinary as the vessel, the crew, and the sheer human warmth we encountered at every turn aboard this remarkable boat. Let me try to do it justice. Galaxy Diver II is a serious liveaboard built for serious divers, and from the moment you step aboard you feel that intention in every detail. The vessel is well-maintained, thoughtfully laid out, and manages that rare balance of being both functional and genuinely comfortable. The dive deck is spacious and organised — gear is stowed sensibly, camera tables are positioned where you actually need them, and the flow from kitting up to giant-stride entry is smooth and logical. After multiple dives a day, you come to deeply appreciate a well-designed dive deck. This one earns its keep. The cabins are snug without feeling cramped, the beds are genuinely comfortable (a non-trivial achievement on a liveaboard), and the air conditioning works — again, not something to be taken for granted at sea. The common areas — the salon, the sun deck, the outdoor seating — give you space to spread out, decompress (metaphorically, after the decompression you've already done), compare notes on what you saw, and simply stare out at one of the most extraordinary ocean landscapes on the planet. Meals were sensational throughout: fresh, varied, generously portioned, and served with care. When you're burning energy across four dives a day in tricky currents, good food matters more than you might expect — and Galaxy Diver II delivered on every occasion. If a liveaboard runs like clockwork, there is always someone behind the clock. For us, that person was Tao, our Trip Director, and we cannot speak highly enough of him. Tao's communication was exceptional from start to finish — clear, timely, and always delivered with a warmth that made you feel informed rather than managed. Whether it was briefing us on the day's dive sites, navigating the inevitable uncertainties of Galápagos conditions, or simply keeping everyone on the same page about timings and logistics, he handled it all with an effortless confidence that instilled complete trust. You knew, with Tao at the helm of the operation, that everything was in hand. But what elevated Tao beyond mere competence was his genuine passion — for the islands, for the marine life, for the whole extraordinary privilege of being in this place. That passion is contagious. It sets the tone for the entire trip. He was personable and approachable, and when things were challenging — and the conditions this week were, at times, genuinely challenging — his calm, supportive presence made all the difference. He didn't minimise difficulties; he contextualised them, encouraged us through them, and made sure no one felt left behind. We left feeling genuinely grateful for him. To dive the Galápagos with great guides is a privilege. To dive it with Juan and William is something else entirely. These two are, quite simply, extraordinary. Between them they carry a profound, intuitive knowledge of these waters — the currents, the topography, the behaviour of the animals, the precise rock where the hammerhead tends to hover at 22 metres on a Friday morning. Their ability to find the animals we had dreamed of seeing — schooling hammerheads, Galapagos Penguins, Galápagos sharks, marine iguanas feeding underwater, sea lions playing aerial games around us — was, on multiple occasions, genuinely jaw-dropping. They don't just take you diving. They curate an experience. And they do it with such joy. Juan and William are funny, warm, full of character, and completely in love with their work — and that love shows. The pre-dive briefings were a highlight

Recommended for

Crew. Diving Experience. Food.

10 Jun, 2026

Absolute trip of a lifetime! The Galapagos surpasses all of your expectations!

Spent my birthday week diving with Galaxy Diver 2 and everything was beyond expectations! The food was fantastic and plentiful. No one was ever hungry and there was plenty at meal time for 2nds or 3rds. The guides, Paulo and George were beyond accommodating and were extremely knowledgeable and extremely fun and the rest of the staff were just as hospitable. All dives felt extremely safe and as mesmerizing as you could imagine. 10/10 would and will dive with this boat again.

Recommended for

Safe and amazing diving. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Great food.

11 Jan, 2025

Galaxy Diver 2, April 2025

We traveled on the Galaxy Diver 2 in April 2025. The boat is excellent with very spacious cabins and bathrooms, good setup on the dive deck, high quality food, and plenty of space for lounging including a Jacuzzi. Dive guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Equipment is in good condition. Diving conditions were mixed in April, with low visibility and heavy surge at many of the dive sites, but we still had the opportunity to see hammerheads, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays, and sea lions. Overall I would recommend this boat.

Recommended for

Boat was extremely comfortable with excellent amenities and food. High quality diving setup and equipment, knowledgeable guides. Good itinerary.

17 Apr, 2025

Definitely recommend

All crew were safe, professional and friendly. Systems and processes are smooth to allow for safe and comfortable diving in a place with an abundance of animal life. Great food and well managed expectations (my high hopes were well met).

Recommended for

Sharks. Food. Cleanliness.

08 Mar, 2026

You treat yourself to some luxury, on the Galaxy Diver II you can easily do that

Diving in the Galapagos once, who doesn't dream of it? For us, this dream has come true, and not too closely!The boat exceeded our expectations. Of course, everything looks very good in the photos, but there is also a bit of cheating. But with the Galaxy Driver II, everything was really right. The photos show exactly what you get:A luxurious cabin with comfortable beds and a spacious bathroom (yes, bathroom, not wet room), a cozy salon, a very practical dive deck, exceptionally good food and top-class service.The entire crew, from the captain to the mechanic, helped at all times with drive and friendliness. Whether putting on the equipment or taking off the wet neoprene :-)) Everything worked like clockwork, you could only be amazed!Not all members of the crew spoke English, but with hands and feet or with the help of the dive guides, you could always communicate. They somehow read your wishes from your faces anyway. No wishes remained unfulfilled.The dive guides were very experienced and did a great job. We saw everything our hearts desired.But the guides not only gave their all under water, they were also always available to us on the boat. They gave short presentations about Galapagos, sharks or other topics on various evenings. A real added value!Within the crew, the harmony was clearly noticeable, which also rubbed off on the guests. All in all, we were a great group of guests, I wouldn't have expected.At the end of my song of praise I would like to highlight the desserts - they were (for me personally) each a highlight, luckily they were served twice a day :-))What I didn't like so much; the security aspect could have been done a little more pronounced. Of course, there was the emergency exercise before casting off, but it could have gone a little deeper. The same with the dives. There was always no information about what to do if... I know you may be reluctant to talk about these topics, but it is necessary.The negative entry of the Zodiac was demanded and also practiced, but with mistakes.You have to tell the divers again that "negative" does not mean meeting directly under the boat to sort yourself out. "Negative" means diving down immediately and you meet at the safe reef (where you can still follow the current). For this, it is necessary to agree on the depth at which they will meet and in which direction the reef is located. A tiny little thing, but one that can have a big effect.As far as the dive sites are concerned - superlatives! We couldn't have asked for a better route.We would do the same tour again with the Galaxy Diver II at any time!

Recommended for

The service. The food. Equipment (cabin, dive deck, saloon).

02 Apr, 2025

An experience of a lifetime!

The Galaxy Diver II exceeded all my expectations. From the seamless airport pickup to the smooth return, the entire trip was flawlessly organized, making travel stress-free. The boat is even more impressive in person, offering spacious rooms and luxurious amenities. The crew was incredibly attentive and always upbeat, and the food was outstanding. The dive trips were well run, with a strong focus on detail and safety, allowing me to see everything I hoped for—and more. I highly recommend this trip to anyone seeking an unforgettable Galápagos diving experience.

Recommended for

Attentive Crew. Most Luxurious Yacht. Amazing Dives.

26 Dec, 2024