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

Highly recommend

Everything was well done. Nice rooms, good food, and great diving.

Recommended for

Spacious room with lots of storage. Very attentive staff. Great dive briefings.

25 Jan, 2026

Unforgettable trip to Galapagos.

The Galaxy Diver II is a great boat, with great people, and amazing food.

Recommended for

The boat is awesome.. The guides were very knowledgeable. The food was amazing.

08 Sep, 2026

The Ritz Carlton of Liveaboard Dive Boats!

One of the top liveaboards I have been on. The boat was sparkling clean and very modern looking. The cabins were spacious, bed very comfortable and the bathrooms were spacious and modern. The crew was fun and friendly. The bar had some nice wines for purchase and made delicious cocktails. The food was amazing. Equadorian cuisine presented and plated beautifully....gourmet dining! The dives were well organized and the crew worked hard to make sure divers got in and out of the pangas safely. Hughly recommend the Galaxy II!

Recommended for

The food was delicious and beautifully presented.. The boat was spacious and sparkling clean!. The crew was friendly and helpful..

28 May, 2026

Very fine experience with this top class crew and dive experts

Carlos and Javier were top class dive masters who expertly guided the guests through 19 exciting and always very safe dives on this week trip. They made the entire experience extremely enjoyable, and were terrific at sharing their knowledge which added considerably to each day. But the dive masters alone would not have been able to deliver such a brilliant but intense week without the first class crew aboard. Incredible team work and understanding of exactly what was required to make the week as good as it possibly could be for all guests aboard. This is hard to achieve and we were very grateful to everyone. The food was superb. Healthy, plentiful and lots of options. The boat was spacious and in good condition making this I think one of the finest experiences one could hope for as a privileged visitor to the magical world of the Galapagos.

Recommended for

The entire crew - divemasters, captains, chiefs and all support team were first class. High quality boat and best practices around diving for exciting safe diving. The ability to get to dive at Wolf and Darwin Islands.

14 Jan, 2026

Paradise above and below water

I don’t have words to describe my visit trip on the liveaboard galaxy 2 in the Galapagos. The boat was like a luxury hotel on water! The food, insanely good! Blows my mind how they can prepare such delicious, beautifully presented meals on board, and everything so fresh even after days at sea! Every day I woke up/went to sleep I couldn’t believe I was there, experiencing the best dives of my life, on this luxury boat with the most knowledgeable, friendly crew and guides. I’d do it all again in a heart beat! Huge shout outs to all the crew, but especially William who has guided these waters for 25 years! His love for the area is contagious, as if his singing and dancing to music whilst getting our gear on ready to dive. Carlos- amazingly knowledgable and friendly guide, both wanting us to have the best experience we could! And of course Jimmy- the barman/ head waiter/ jack of all trades! Instantly remembers everyone’s names and treats us like family. No job is too big for this man!

Recommended for

5* service from all crew and guides. Luxury boat, incredibly clean and comfortable. Unbelievable dive sitings with the most friendly and experienced guides.

08 Mar, 2026