Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos

Name: Central Archipelago, Darwin and Wolf Islands (Baltra - Baltra)
Start: 2026-12-28
End: 2027-01-04
Location: Galapagos

8.8 Fabulous

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

from $ 612 / day Check dates

“It was one of the most amazing dive trips I had.”
Azam G, Netherlands

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

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

30 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

07 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

FULL

14 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

Last space for women only.

$ 6,395

Select Cabin only 1 space left

21 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 6,395

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

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), Environment Tax ($20), Fuel Surcharge ($150-220), National Park Fees ($100-200).

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

9.6 Exceptional
David G
United States

We came to see hammerheads. Goal fulfilled
Visibility was poor for some of the dives but it got better as the week progressed. The crew was exceptional, always ready to help.
Recommended for
The helpfulness of the crew. The dive briefings. The other customers.
27 Feb, 2026

9.2 Superb
Isabel D
Spain

Good experience
Despite not having much luck seeing whales due to the El Niño phenomenon, the crew, the boat and the food great.
Recommended for
Diving. The food. The friendliness of the staff.
20 Sep, 2026

Translated from Spanish

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

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

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

9.6 Exceptional
Steven M
United States

5-star comfort, food, diving, and staff for lower price than expected.
Secret cave, Darwin arch, friendly group international divers, warm drink & towel after every dive
Recommended for
#1. Food (amazing). #2. Dive guides. #3. Staff so friendly & attentive to details
14 Apr, 2021

10 Exceptional
Anna D
United States

Trip of a lifetime!
The entire week! Most of the dives were like a dream we had an amazing week with good visibility. Sea life an abundance of hammerheads 7 whale sharks and water was warmer than it was supposed to be. The crew was amazing helping everyone at all times. The chef will make sure you don’t starve (food was delicious) and accommodate for people with allergies!
Recommended for
Diving, dive guides/crew, food
30 Sep, 2023

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

8.8 Fabulous
Geoff C
Australia

The best dive experience of our lives!
Seeing such an abundance of sea life all in one trip was simply epic! We had underwater whiplash as everywhere we turned there was more sea life. We have never had an experience like it, and wouldn't be disappointed if we don't. Diving Wolf and Darwin islands is next level!
Recommended for
Whale sharks, diving, free booze! 😏
05 Sep, 2017

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

117 reviews

8.8 Fabulous
117 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

10 Exceptional
Giorgia R
Italy

Absolutely amazing!
The organisation and the attention that they have for the guest it’s amazing! All the staff members are professional, friendly and always kind. The boat is WOW: clean, tidy, nice common areas and beds really comfortable. The food is local and international: delicious. The diving part of the boat is absolutely functional and the crew helps you literally in every moment. For sure, I’ll choose them again when I’ll come back to Galápagos!
Recommended for
Crew - food - whole experience
22 May, 2024

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
Noriko I
Japan

So many sharks!
Guide's English is easy for Japanese to understand. Compared to Japanese diving shops, the guides don't keep an eye on their guests (in Japan, a lot of guests depend on their guides too much). Crew are all friendly, the cabin is kept clean, and the foods are delicious. I could enjoy not only diving but also land visit. I could not forget the beautiful stars...
Recommended for
Hammerhead sharks, Hot chocolate after diving, Stars
04 Mar, 2018

8.8 Fabulous
Vladislav P
Germany

Fantastic dives at Wolf and Darwin
Hundreds of hammerheads at every dive at Wolf. Schools of jacks and sharks hunting them at Darwin. Tunas , turtles rays, silkys galapqaos and white tips sharks at almost all dives. Increadible quantity of fishs.
Recommended for
1. Wonderful dives. 2. Wonderful dive guides. 3. Wonderful ambiance
03 Apr, 2019

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
Susanne K
Austria

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

Translated from Dutch

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

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

10 Exceptional
robert N
United States

Amazingly sharktastic!
The divers
Recommended for
Food, service, agenda
03 Jan, 2017

10 Exceptional
Jason H
United States

Unbelievably Great Experience
I've been many places, this was the best. From a 42 foot whale shark. To enormous schools of hammerheads and galapagos sharks, hard to pick. Eagle rays, Turtles, cowrays, I loved every dive.
Recommended for
Crew, people, dive sites
14 Apr, 2021

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

9.2 Superb
Thomas R
Germany

Great diving for those who like it big!
Hundreds of hammerhead sharks at the divesides Darwin and Wolf divesides where planned in the group safety was very important (radio transmitter) very good briefing landexcursions with the guides who had a lot of knowledge was excellent staff was working hard to fulfill all our wishes after a cool dive it was great having a whirlpool to warm up All in all, we would do it again, on the Humboldt Explorer
Recommended for
Hammerheads, Sealions, Whirlpool.
03 Jan, 2017

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

10 Exceptional
Claudia B
Germany

Incredible Service, wonderful crew, wonderful guide with Oskar, great landscape and a welcoming and cosy vessel
The entire crew was incredibly service-oriented. They were immediately available whenever they wanted to help. And although some were quite young, they were completely professional and polite. You could tell that good service was second nature to them. Oskar, the guide, was very nice. Professional, yet approachable and personable. The crew was also funny. It was a wonderful experience on the Humboldt Explorer.
Recommended for
The Service. It was incredible. All of them were so forehanded and friendly. The diveguards did a good job. Specially Oskar was a great professional, but personal guide. Great Person. The vessel on itself was beautiful.
06 Apr, 2026

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
George W
United States

Incredible diving experience with exceptional service, comfort, and food.
Wolf, Darwin, and Cousin's island dives.
Recommended for
Hammer head sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles.
27 Mar, 2020

10 Exceptional
Pascal D
Belgium

Back on Humboldt Explorer..and liking it
Wolf,Darwin,Mosquera
Recommended for
The dives, the dives, land visit
17 Nov, 2021

9.2 Superb
Karen M
United States

Fantastic experience
We saw so many hammerheads! The Humboldt is the only ship allowed an extra day at Wolf and Darwin, which is why we chose this liveaboard. The dives were amazing. The crew and guides were wonderful. There was sooo much delicious food. Healthy and good variety. My only complaint is that the ship was a little run down and the bathrooms sometimes smelled. But despite that, I would still give the trip five stars based on the amazing dives, staff, food, and experience!
Recommended for
Amazing dives. Fantastic crew. Great food.
12 Jan, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Ismael M
Spain

Awesome experience, 100% recommended
Awesome experience, one of the best liveaboards I've done. The boat is awesome, crew extremely friendly and attentive, facilities were excellent. We stayed 3 days in Wolf and Darwin. I'd recommend to put more attention on the rental gear available on board. Two octopuses were in bad condition and had to be replaced.
Recommended for
Many days at the best dive locations - Wolf and Darwin. Good quality of onboard services (room, food, entertainment, facilities). Good guides and briefings.
28 Aug, 2025