Galapagos Diving Cruise - Galapagos Sky Yacht

AM:

Welcome to the Galápagos! Upon landing and clearing immigration, our English-speaking guide will meet you in the Arrivals lounge and escort you to the transfer vehicle for a short ride to your awaiting ship. San Cristobal is home to the official capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and one of the archipelago's two airports conveniently located within walking distance of town—just a 15-minute stroll from the terminal. Once aboard, you'll meet the crew, receive a welcome briefing, and participate in an important safety drill before settling into your cabin. As you enjoy a well-deserved lunch, the captain will set sail, marking the beginning of your adventure. If you're already on San Cristóbal before the cruise and wish to join the group there, please inform us—transfers from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno are seamless and hassle-free.

PM:

Lobos Island is renowned in the Galápagos for observing sea lion pups, trumpet fish, and blue-footed boobies. Named after the Galápagos Sea Lion colony that resides here, this narrow island is also home to other native species. In the surrounding waters, you can encounter fur seals, blue-footed boobies fishing, trumpet fish, green turtles, rays, and white-tip reef sharks. If fortunate, you may even catch a glimpse of marine iguanas, although they are not prevalent in this area.

AM:

Bartholomew (known as Bartolomé locally) is the most popular destination for Galápagos visitors, featuring iconic scenery that is widely photographed across the archipelago. Upon landing in the small bay opposite Pinnacle Rock, you will begin the ascent to Bartholomew's 375-foot peak along a half-mile trail equipped with wooden steps built by the National Park Service to preserve the area from erosion caused by hiking tourists. The panoramic views from the summit are breathtaking, with your expert guide pointing out landmarks like Pinnacle Rock, Sullivan Bay's vast black lava flows, and the islands of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor. During the descent, you'll observe various volcanic formations such as tuft cones and volcanic spatter, along with fascinating examples of species adaptation, like bushes adorned with special grey hairs to withstand the harsh sun and minimize moisture loss. Snorkeling back at the beach is excellent due to underwater caves and rocks, offering sightings of sharks, rays, tropical fish, and possibly Galápagos Penguins swimming alongside you.

PM:

This renowned dive site is famous for its diverse marine life, making it a must-visit for experienced divers. Depths vary from 10 to 90 feet, with visibility ranging between 30 to 60 feet depending on the season. Moderate currents and surges are common in shallower areas. Underwater, you'll encounter sloping rock plate formations and an impressive wall descending into the depths. These rocky structures are habitats for seahorses, Galápagos black coral, octopus, a variety of tropical fish, as well as Galápagos sharks and hammerheads. Additionally, friendly sea lions often join divers for playful interactions, and graceful green turtles can be spotted cruising by. This dive site truly offers an exceptional underwater experience.

AM:

El Derrumbe is famous for being the top dive site in the Galápagos to observe Hammerhead and Galápagos Sharks. Visitors have also encountered whale sharks here, along with a diverse array of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic Galápagos creatures.

PM:

Shark Bay at Wolf Island is renowned as one of the premier dive sites in the Galápagos for observing Hammerhead and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have also been spotted here, along with a diverse range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic Galápagos creatures.

AM:

Darwin's Towers (formerly Darwin's Arch) is widely regarded as one of the world's premier diving sites, located off the southeast tip of Darwin Island. This marine wonderland is renowned for its massive schools of hammerhead and Galápagos sharks, as well as frequent sightings of whale sharks and majestic manta rays. Other common encounters include green turtles, dolphins, large schools of fish, and various shark species. Despite the collapse of the iconic arch in 2021, the area remains a spectacular destination for divers. Many seasoned divers with over 1000 logged dives have described it as the best diving site of their lives. If you have specific species you're eager to see during your dive, contact the Galápagos experts to plan a tailored dive itinerary to meet your preferences.

PM:

Darwin Island, originally named Culpepper Island, was renamed in honor of the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin. It is widely regarded as one of the finest underwater habitats on earth. Situated as the most northerly island in the Galápagos, Darwin Island is located over 100 miles northwest of Isabela and is part of the most remote area of the archipelago along with its neighbor, Wolf Island. These islands are the tips of massive, long-extinct undersea volcanoes that rise up over half a mile from the seafloor below.

Darwin and Wolf Islands are famous for attracting large schools of hammerhead sharks, the reasons for which scientists still do not fully understand. Diving in this area offers spectacular experiences, with possible encounters including hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, green turtles, and a diverse array of tropical reef fish. If you have specific species you are eager to see during your dive, please contact one of the Galápagos experts for personalized advice on the best dive itinerary to suit your preferences.

AM:

Darwin Island, originally named Culpepper Island, was renamed in honor of the renowned naturalist. It is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional underwater habitats on the planet. Positioned as the northernmost island in the Galápagos, Darwin Island is located over 100 miles northwest of Isabela and is part of the most remote area of the archipelago along with its neighbor, Wolf Island.

Darwin and Wolf Islands are renowned for attracting large schools of hammerhead sharks, the reasons for which scientists still do not fully understand. These islands are the tips of massive long-extinct undersea volcanoes that rise up over half a mile from the seafloor below. Diving in this area promises spectacular experiences, with potential encounters including hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, green turtles, and a diverse array of tropical reef fish.

If you have specific species you are eager to see during your dive, please reach out to one of the Galápagos experts today. We can provide tailored advice on the best dive itinerary to suit your preferences.

PM:

Shark Bay at Wolf Island is widely recognized as one of the premier dive sites in the Galápagos for observing Hammerhead and Galápagos Sharks. Visitors have also encountered whale sharks here, along with a diverse range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic Galápagos creatures.

AM:

Diving at Cape Douglas on the west coast of Isabela Island offers a remarkable chance to encounter a diverse range of marine life, both above and below the water's surface. While preparing for your dive, you can observe unique species such as Galápagos Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos Penguins, and Galápagos Marine Iguanas—creatures exclusive to this archipelago. Upon entering the water, you may witness the impressive swimming abilities of marine iguanas, particularly the larger males feeding on rocks below the surface.

In addition to these species, you may encounter Red-lipped Batfish, Horn Sharks, Mola Mola, and occasionally Baleen Whales gliding through the water. If you have specific species you are eager to see, please contact one of the Galápagos experts who can assist you in selecting an itinerary tailored to your preferences.

PM:

Vicente Rock Point is consistently praised by clients as one of the top snorkeling and SCUBA diving sites in the Galápagos, and possibly even globally! This location does not offer a landing spot, so snorkeling is directly from the boats. The scenery surrounding the Point is breathtaking, with the remains of two ancient volcanoes shaping the formation and cliffs and caves providing a stunning backdrop.

The bay is well-protected from ocean swells, making it ideal for snorkelers of all experience levels. Cold-water currents enrich the waters with abundant food, often leading to feeding frenzies where groups of whales, dolphins, Galápagos Sea Lions, tuna, Blue-footed Boobies, and other marine birds converge—an incredible spectacle to witness.

Many tours also include a panga ride along the shore, allowing visitors to explore caves and encounter other species like Galápagos Flightless Cormorants and a small colony of Galápagos Fur Seals.

AM:

Pinzon Island is named after the brothers who captained the famous ships Pinta and Nina during Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. This small island is surrounded by deep waters, which have isolated its species from the rest of the Galápagos for millennia. However, this isolation also contributes to making it an excellent dive site.

For beginner divers, the conditions are perfect in the tranquil bay, where you can interact with friendly sea lions and observe elegant green turtles. You'll encounter a diverse array of tropical fish, including Red-Lipped Batfish. Experienced divers can explore the deep drop-off wall, where sightings of various shark species, manta rays, stingrays, lobsters, and even seahorses are more likely.

PM:

Puerto Ayora is a bustling town that serves as a central hub in the Galápagos Islands. Despite being the largest town in the archipelago, it is not the capital (that title belongs to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island). Here, you'll witness local merchants loading and unloading ships, and you can easily catch a water-taxi to Playa Alemanes/Las Grietas or visit the beautiful hotels Angermeyer Waterfront Inn and Finch Bay. Additionally, Puerto Ayora serves as a departure point for several cruises.

It's almost guaranteed that you'll encounter sea lions relaxing on the pier benches, which are intended for tourists but are often taken over by these playful creatures. In the Galápagos, sea lions tend to disregard such rules!

AM:

The Gianny Arismendi Galápagos Interpretation Center in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, aims to provide a comprehensive history of the islands and offer visitors a deeper understanding of the unique habitats and wildlife found here. The center features exhibits that cover the human history of the Galápagos, highlighting conservation efforts aimed at preserving the archipelago and reversing the damage caused by human occupation. There is also a detailed exhibit on the volcanic origins of the Galápagos and how this has influenced the present habitats.

Your expert guide will be available to address any additional questions you may have after visiting the center, helping you connect what you learn there to the experiences you'll have throughout your Galápagos journey.

As your adventure comes to an end, it's time for the short trip to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Your guide, who has been with you throughout your journey, will accompany you to the departures area, providing one last opportunity to benefit from their excellent local knowledge and extensive experience.

Note: If you would like to extend your stay in the Galápagos after your cruise, please inform us. We can easily arrange transfers from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to the airport and back, allowing you to continue your exploration of this remarkable destination.