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Liveaboard Diving in Galapagos
Experience world-renowned diving in Galapagos and see a spectacular array of sea life and underwater geomorphological formations.
Liveaboard diving in Galapagos captures the imagination like nowhere else. It is a paradise for anyone who is passionate about nature. The islands famously inspired Charles Darwin´s theory of evolution and is home to a vast number of animals and birds that can only be found in Galapagos. The Marine reserve is no exception with Galapagos sharks, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins. No surprise then that Galapagos Marine reserve is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and subject to the strictest protection. Most divers who venture to Galapagos are looking to visit the spectacular Darwin and Wolf islands only accessible by liveaboard. On these isolated islands, divers can find huge schools of scalloped hammerheads, silky sharks, manta rays and of course whale sharks.
Liveaboards in Galapagos are small in number and of a very high standard. Most take no more than 16 guests and have fully catered facilities. They feature purpose built dive decks with charging stations and camera storage areas. An opportunity to dive one of the most unique and breath-taking places in the world in complete comfort. Trips are year round and it is always a good time to visit Galapagos. Trip itineraries range from 7/10-days to a full 14-night cruises. Longer cruises tend to visit smaller additional sites with most liveaboards making Punta Carrion and Darwin and Wolf a priority. Cruise prices are usually around 400 to 600 euros per night.
Liveaboard Dive Sites of the Galapagos Islands
Punta Carrion on the west of Santa Cruz is the first stop for most liveaboards in the Galapagos. It is a thrill for naturalists with Galapagos sea lions dipping down to play with divers and shoals of eagle rays passing by. Underwater photographers will enjoy ample opportunities with white tip reef sharks which are numerous and very unwary of divers. If you are lucky you might also catch a glimpse of hammerheads and dolphins in the blue.
The current here is usually fairly mild by Galapagos standards making it a fairly easy dive. Visibility is variable all over the Galapagos but expect around 10 meters/33 ft. at Punta Carrion. Like most dives in Galapagos, Nitrox is highly recommended. The maximum depth is around 33 meters and you will definitely want to stay down as long as possible!
Liveaboards that offer dives in Punta Carrion are Galapagos Aggressor, Galapagos Master, Humboldt Explorer and the Nortada.
Wolf and Darwin islands are the most isolated of the Galapagos Islands and an overnight sail is required for liveaboards. These tiny islands arehome to unique birdlife and land visits are not permitted. Very few boats are allowed to stop at Wolf and Darwin meaning you will likely only have to share the site with research boats there to tag and study the large pelagics.
The underwater area around these islands are a highway for scalloped hammerheads heading for the Cocos. Silky sharks and Galapagos sharks and mantas are also passing by. You also have a chance to see pods of dolphins, spotted eagle rays and even orcas on occasion. There is also the chance to see the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark, between June and November.
Sea conditions in Wolf and Darwin can be rough with high swell and strong currents. Currents can be so strong that some dives might be drift dives. Most liveaboards require divers to have 50 + dives and be minimum advanced open water. Most of the dives are around the 30-meter mark meaning for enjoyment and safety, Nitrox is probably a wise choice.
Liveaboards are the only way to access Darwin and Wolf due to their isolated position. Galapagos Aggressor, Galapagos Master, Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos Sky, Astrea and Nortada all offer several days diving at Darwin and Wolf as part of their 7, 10 and 14 night cruises.
Cabo Douglas is on the eastern side of Fernandina Island. The dives are shallow mostly above 26 meters with much of the interesting wildlife around the shore. Here you can see marine iguanas, a species unique to Galapagos. These iguanas can dive for up to ten minutes, feeding on algae growing on the rocks. There are also flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins and sea horses around Cabo Douglas. It is ideal for those who want to dive with unique animal species and underwater photographers will have ample subjects with good light.
Cousins Rock is a tiny rocky island on the north of Santiago Island. On land it is inhabited by sea birds and sea lions. The underwater landscape is perfect for underwater photography with black coral, sponges and sea fans. It is also a prime spot to see mantas passing by. Liveaboards that offer dives in Cousins Rock are Galapagos Aggressor, Galapagos Master, Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos Sky, Astrea and Nortada.
Best time to dive in the Galapagos Islands
Diving in Galapagos is fantastic all year round but there are two distinct seasons.
The warm season is December to May with water temperatures around 23-25°C/75-80°F. The conditions are calmer and currents are less at this time of year. It is a great time to see huge numbers hammerheads, silkys and Galapagos sharks.
The cooler season is June to November with water temperatures dropping to 16-18°/60-65°F. Rougher sea conditions and strong currents make the diving more challenging. The cool season is all about whale sharks which are around the islands of Darwin and Wolf at this time. There are still large schools of hammerheads and occasional silkys and Galapagos shark around the islands.
Visibility is generally between 10 and 21 meters (30 to 70 feet) and conditions can be challenging because of the surges and currents common in the area.
Top tips for liveaboards in Galapagos
- Diving in Galapagos can be cold especially in the cool season, and most liveaboards offer 3-4 unmissable dives per day. 7mm wetsuits and hoods are recommended for comfort.
- The water is about 6 percent saltier, so adjusting your weights to compensate for greater buoyancy is necessary.
- Gloves or a reef hook are a necessity. Strong currents mean holding onto rocks, which are almost always covered in sharp barnacles.
- Bring lots of extra memory for cameras and GOPROs, you won’t want to miss a thing.
- Most liveaboards offer the opportunity to do land visits. These offer a unique insight into one of the world´s most biodiverse ecosystems.
Galapagos Liveaboard Departures
Liveaboards in Galapagos all depart from Baltra Island making it most convenient to fly here. You can also fly to neighbouring island San Cristobal and take a ferry to Baltra but flights are less frequent and more popular with island residents than tourists. Most liveaboards and hotels will arrange to pick you up from the airport and transfer you across the canal
Getting to the Galapagos Islands
Getting to Galapagos from Ecuador is relatively easy. Most flights are around a 2-hour transit from Guayaquil and Quito which both have international airports. The most frequent flights are with airlines LAN, Tame and Avianca. Be sure to give a few days extra when flying from Quito, volcanic activity around the city can cause delays.
Due to the highly protected nature of the Galapagos National Park visitors should bear a few things in mind before travelling. Before departure you will have to pay $20 for a departure/arrival card and have your bags be checked for biological contaminants.
Bringing any plants, seed or biological goods is forbidden and signing the card confirms this. If you are bringing hiking boots, make sure they are clean and have no plant material or seeds on them. These rules are to stop invasive species which are one of the biggest threat to the unique ecosystem of the islands. You will also have to pay $100 national park fee on arrival.
Galapagos Diving Reviews
- 8.9 Fabulous
- 123 Verified Reviews
I enjoy especially Darwin and Wolf dives, amazing wildlife. You can have the opportunity to see almost all was on the "list"
Diving Galapagos in November on the Galapagos Master
Outstanding.
Diving Galapagos in October on the Calipso
could be better by carefully selecting the dive sites and the hours of dives - to sync with the nature, as much as possible (eg. times of feeding).
Diving Galapagos in October on the Galapagos Master
Good...overpriced
Diving Galapagos in October on the Galapagos Master
Excellent - exceeded expectations.
Diving Galapagos in March on the Calipso
very good
Diving Galapagos in March on the Humboldt Explorer
Overwhelming.
Diving Galapagos in March on the Humboldt Explorer
The best diving I have ever done
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
Would definitely consider a return trip in the future.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
Excellent experience. Exactly what we hoped for although missed the whale sharks and swimming iguanas.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
It was a bit jerky, but it was the warm season. Considering this, it was quite good.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Aqua
Could not have been better!
Diving Galapagos in February on the Aqua
Awesome. Hammerheads, seals, rays, dolphins
Diving Galapagos in January on the Aqua
Very happy with our experience - the islands themselves, the boat, the crew and the guide were unforgettable.
Diving Galapagos in January on the Tip Top II
First destination that worths a second visit, hope I can do this in the future.
Diving Galapagos in January on the Calipso
Completely exceeded our expectations- it will be hard to plan further dive trips as this one will be a very tough benchmark to live up to
Diving Galapagos in December on the Nortada
The best diving of my life
Diving Galapagos in December on the Galapagos Sky
Great dive experience. Used a 7 ML supplied by the boat. Resisted at first but very necessary. Don't miss the Galapagos on the SKY!
Diving Galapagos in December on the Galapagos Sky
Incredible. It’s cold and the visibility is limited but it’s so worth it for the unique experiences you get here
Diving Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Master
It was great diving.Could have been a better experience if Nitrox had been available,as advertised.
Diving Galapagos in June on the Galapagos Master
C est un paradis. Les especes sont nombreuses et c est incroyable de voir tout ca en si peu de temps
Diving Galapagos in July on the Galapagos Aggressor III
My best dive experience so far.
Diving Galapagos in June on the Galapagos Sky
loved it..... couldnt afford to do wolf and darwin again but would consider going back to Galapagos for diving again
Diving Galapagos in May on the Humboldt Explorer
The best diving experience of my life
Diving Galapagos in May on the Humboldt Explorer
Great all very friendly
Diving Galapagos in May on the Aqua
9.5 out of 10
Diving Galapagos in May on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Fabulous and diving anywhere else will be hard now!
Diving Galapagos in May on the Galapagos Sky
Darwin and Wolf are great.
Diving Galapagos in May on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Overall I’m extremely satisfied with the diving experience in Galapagos
Diving Galapagos in April on the Humboldt Explorer
One of the best dive trips I have done and it fitted in so well with exploring some of the islands. A once in a lifetime experience
Diving Galapagos in April on the Humboldt Explorer
Diving in Galapagos was wonderful. We something new each day. The currents were there but not as bad as people make them sound, very do-able. It was chilly on about 2 dives but the others were 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
Diving Galapagos in April on the Majestic Explorer
Great! Once in a lifetime experienced!
Diving Galapagos in March on the Galapagos Sky
Diverse marine life, unique sightings, fantastic dives, wonderful crew on boat and in water, great atmosphere with divers and staff, many warm smiles and fun. Great!!!
Diving Galapagos in March on the Majestic Explorer
great
Diving Galapagos in March on the Danubio Azul
Among over 30 years experiences, this was the 2nd best to Palau and gave me a wonderful memory of Galapagos and Equador
Diving Galapagos in December on the Humboldt Explorer
Unic and unbeatable
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
Amazing, probably the best place we have ever been to
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
Highly recommend! Especially for shark lovers
Diving Galapagos in November on the Nortada
Great experience with swarm of hammerheads
Diving Galapagos in March on the Humboldt Explorer
It was an incredible experience.
Diving Galapagos in January on the Humboldt Explorer
Outstanding trip in all aspects
Diving Galapagos in March on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Incredible
Diving Galapagos in March on the Majestic Explorer
A thrill, need strong diving skills, able to descent quickly in strong currents.
Diving Galapagos in March on the Danubio Azul
Awesome untouched dive sites with pelagic fish!
Diving Galapagos in December on the Humboldt Explorer
It was the best axperience of my life !S
Diving Galapagos in October on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Fantastic
Diving Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Awesome
Diving Galapagos in September on the Humboldt Explorer
A bucket list diving destination completed! Thanks!
Diving Galapagos in July on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Brilliant, and definitely an experience to remember.
Diving Galapagos in June on the Humboldt Explorer
Overall it was really good. The hammerheads were the main draw and everything else was secondary.
Diving Galapagos in June on the Humboldt Explorer
Excellent
Diving Galapagos in June on the Galapagos Aggressor III
The best variety of diving with marine life we have ever experienced
Diving Galapagos in May on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Exceptional diving and marine Life A world wide unique experience
Diving Galapagos in May on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Amazing. I had fun and invented an excited dive dance as I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm under the water!
Diving Galapagos in April on the Nortada
Amazing: the best in my life for big animals (Indonesia is the best for small animals). There is such a variety of big animals. It's impressive to see 100 hammerheads and a whale shark at the same time.
Diving Galapagos in April on the Galapagos Master
It is impressive diving here. The variety is enormous and it is so easy to see all the animals and fishes. They come very close. Sea lions are often entertaining during the dive, especially during the safety stops. If you have the chance to dive at Galapagos, go for it. You won't be disappointed!
Diving Galapagos in March on the Nortada
Excellent
Diving Galapagos in March on the Nortada
A very unique experience for every friend of nature, also above water,
Diving Galapagos in April on the Humboldt Explorer
a great experience with lots of sharks to see and all the fish are not afraid of divers, so you cam see them very near.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Nortada
Overall it was amazing. We did 20 dives in 6 days. We got to see many endemic marine life. Schools of hammerhead sharks along with lots of other sharks (white tip, black tip, Galapagos, bull-head sharks). I loved seeing the marine iguanas feeding. The sea lions were super playful and fun to dive with on almost all of our dives. Lots of green sea turtles everywhere. We got to see Mola-Mola, Galapagos penguins, and flightless cormorants. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see so many endemic creatures both in the ocean and on the islands and it was an incredible experience that we will never forget.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Nortada
great experience
Diving Galapagos in January on the Galapagos Master
I LOVED IT. IT WAS A DREAM.
Diving Galapagos in October on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Amazing - 9 out of 10
Diving Galapagos in July on the Galapagos Sky
Among the best in the world. Definitely looking forward to a second tour in the future.
Diving Galapagos in May on the Galapagos Aggressor III
My second time in the islands. Happy to see that hammerheads are still doing well. less Galapagos and silky sharks. No whalesharks this time, still overall it is always a great experience. the diversity and amount of life underwater and on the islands.
Diving Galapagos in December on the Astrea
Amazing, we absolutely loved it and would love to come back
Diving Galapagos in December on the Galapagos Master
Had expectations and well and truly met. My take away is the numbers of Dolphins at Darwin when we were leaving, I estimate at least 1000 in 2 to 3 pods but could be many more, they were just everywhere around and in front of the boat.
Diving Galapagos in December on the Humboldt Explorer
The best diving I've ever experienced.
Diving Galapagos in November on the Galapagos Master
Probably you won't see this many sharks anywhere else. The visibility was not great (in November) and the water was a little cool. The currents and wide ocean diving were a hoot.
Diving Galapagos in November on the Humboldt Explorer
So I really enjoyed this trip. It was my first Livaboard and I was very impressed! The crew was amazing and so much fun. Im already in the process of booking my second livaboard in the summer.
Diving Galapagos in December on the Galapagos Master
I had really high expectations for this place. the visibility could have been a little bit better, but overall it was really good
Diving Galapagos in October on the Nortada
exceptionally superb water was cold currents in Wolf were srtong
Diving Galapagos in October on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Spectacular
Diving Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Master
I saw all except whale shark. Current pretty strong and water pretty cold, but dive master gave very detail brief before each trip so make these easy to handled for me. Also I am not very experienced so dive master all the time keep eyes on me and help a lot.
Diving Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Master
Fantastic! Didn't dissapoint.
Diving Galapagos in August on the Humboldt Explorer
Unforgettable diving. Unique and abundant sea life. I will do this trip again.
Diving Galapagos in August on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Life changing 😊
Diving Galapagos in July on the Humboldt Explorer
One of the best ponit of diving in the world but that sea is very dark.
Diving Galapagos in August on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Just Perfect! No need to say something :-)
Diving Galapagos in June on the Humboldt Explorer
the best of all !!!!!
Diving Galapagos in May on the Nortada
Superb!
Diving Galapagos in March on the Humboldt Explorer
Awesome
Diving Galapagos in March on the Humboldt Explorer
Excellent, much better that has been expected
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
Simply AWESOME - best diving experience of my life.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Excellent, amazing experience.
Diving Galapagos in February on the Humboldt Explorer
Diving is world class, everyone should go.
Diving Galapagos in December on the Galapagos Aggressor III
I'm happy, saw everything I expected to see
Diving Galapagos in January on the Humboldt Explorer
Totally with it
Diving Galapagos in December on the Humboldt Explorer
Beyond amazing. I know I'll have to go back at some point in the future.
Diving Galapagos in December on the Humboldt Explorer
Worth to do it again
Diving Galapagos in December on the Humboldt Explorer
Really nice. Visibillity was good. Watertemperature was nice at Wolf and Darwin. The Dinghy service was excellent! They were always around. You do get some strong currents!
Diving Galapagos in September on the Humboldt Explorer
Top rated, highly recommend, and have, others are booking already...
Diving Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Aggressor III
it is something you never gonna experiense at other places. just make time and go there.
Diving Galapagos in September on the Humboldt Explorer
Highlight of all of my diving adventures.
Diving Galapagos in August on the Galapagos Sky
It was a very nice experience, definitely with Darwin being the high point of our trip.
Diving Galapagos in August on the Humboldt Explorer
11/10 luxury trip. worth it...
Diving Galapagos in August on the Galapagos Sky
An incredible, unforgettable experience!
Diving Galapagos in June on the Galapagos Aggressor III
Diving here was exceptional! Much colder here but all great!
Diving Galapagos in August on the Humbolt Explorer
Very nice experience. Rich and impressive underwater fauna. The dives are quite advanced and challenging (cold water and strong current), very good to improve diving skills.
Diving Galapagos in July on the Astrea Liveaboard
outstanding!!
Diving Galapagos in July on the Galapagos Master