+++ Galapagos National Park +++M/V Galapagos Sky

August 22 – Sep 1, 2024

Your domestic flight should arrive on August 21st 2024 from Quito or Guayaquil in Baltra (GPS). We will be picked-up by the crew and transfered to the vessel. Check dive in the afternoon around the are of Baltra. First dinner together on the boat. Up to 4 dive per day will follow the next 8 and a half diving days around the islands of Galapagos Marine Park. Please find below an itinerary which is always subject to change to due marine park or captain’s decisions.

On September 1st 2024 after breakfast we will be transfered by the crew to San Cristobal Airport for our flight back to Ecuador mainland.  If you plan to stay on the islands we’re happy  to put something together for you. Also Ecuador is a fantastic country to discover.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1  Check out dive Baltra

Day 2  Bartolomé/Cousins

Day 3  Wolf

Day 4  Darwin

Day 5  Darwin/Wolf

Day 6  Wolf or Darwin

Day 7  Wolf or Darwin

Day 8  Cabo Douglas/Vicente Roca

Day 9  Cabo Marshall/Roca Blanca

Day 10 Pinzon/Pto. Ayora.

Day 11 Departure from San Cristobal SCY

Cruise Highlights

• 4 Days diving Wolf and Darwin Islands
• 9 Days diving on a 10 nights cruise
• Naturalist dive instructor and dive master
• Ecuadorian and international cuisine
• Main salon with audio/video entertainment center
• Dive platforms with fresh water showers
• Dive equipment and camera rentals
• Ample space for personal gear storage
• Free Nitrox
• Beverages including wine and beer with dinner
• Up to four dives daily (1 night dive in addition) plus land excursions in Galapagos
• Dive Deck assistance and Dive Deck outdoor hot showers
• Fresh hot towels after every dive
• Cabin amenities including terrycloth bathrobes in your cabin, biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and soap, and nightly Turn Down service
• Morning beverage service
• Dress is casual – but dining service is “fine” plated

Our Yacht – M/V Galapagos Sky

The luxury live-aboard M/V Galapagos Sky is a 100 ft. (33m) state-of-the-art live-aboard diving yacht exploring the fabled waters of the Galapagos Islands. Designed by Peter A. Hughes and current owner Santiago Dunn in the year 2000, and launched in 2001 – this luxury live-aboard hosts 16 passengers in 8 well appointed cabins. We operate year round (schedule).

Built to exceed any/all international safety standards, M/V Galapagos Sky (specifications) is not only your live-aboard dive platform to the undersea wonders of Galapagos – but also has the crew, chefs, and amenities for you to enjoy five-star service during your entire trip.

Accommodations include eight private en-suite cabins with two twin or one king size bed options. Each cabin features a private head/shower, mirrored cabinet and wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer, and marine safe (biodegradable) toiletries.

The elegant M/V Galapagos Sky is fully air conditioned and features a spacious lounge area and separate fine dining area. Two dive masters and up to four dives a day ensure that your voyage will have ample underwater time to discover the magic of Galapagos diving.

M/V Galapagos Sky specifications:

L.O.A.: 100 feet

Beam: 24 feet

Cruising Speed: 12 knots

Range: 2,400 miles

Fuel Capacity: 8,000 gallons

Water Capacity: 6,000 gallons

Desalinator Production: 4,500 gallons per day

Compressors: two high / two low pressure

Voltage: 110 and 220 volts

Navigational Aids: VHF and HI-SUB radios, GMDSS, color radar, echo sounder, Furuno GPS

Safety Aides: EPIRB (emergency position indicator radio beacon)

Galapagos Marine Park

Gently swept by the waters of three major oceanic currents, the Galapagos Islands provide a stunning range of extraordinary diving encounters for live-aboard divers.

Schooling Hammerheads, giant whale sharks, rays of all shapes and colors, turtles, huge schools of fish, galapagos fur seals, and astounding marine life diversity are just some of the riveting attractions of Galapagos liveaboard diving – a destination many divers feel is “the best in the world”.

The Galapagos Islands are a National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Over 90 percent of the land and all of the waters are protected. You’ll be visiting a part of the world which has changed little since the time of Charles Darwin. It’s unique location at the confluence of three major currents make it one of the busiest, fishiest, and magical underwater places on earth. Discover the magic of Galapagos Diving on your next live-aboard cruise with us on board the Galapagos Sky – see for yourself why many divers feel Galapagos is truly “the best diving” in the world.

Whale Shark Season: June – November

While you may see whale sharks during any cruise on M/V Galapagos Sky, the number of encounters goes up dramatically during June and November of every year.

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest fish in the sea, and large adults may reach 40 ft. (12.2 m) in length, and mature adults are typically 30+ ft (10 m) in length.  They may weigh 40,000 lbs or more. Only a few of the great whales (mammals) are larger.

There’s really nothing like the thrill of finding and seeing a whale shark in their natural habitat.  Their size alone delivers an unforgettable impression.  They are also often accompanied by a host of other sea denizens: remoras, cleaner fish, tuna, mackerel…  Large whale sharks bring a mini-ecosystem along for the ride.

The Galapagos Islands are located at the confluence of three great oceanic currents: the cold South Equatorial Current (source is the Humboldt Current), the warm Panama Current, and the cold, deep Cromwell Current.  Every June, the tradewinds freshen and the South Equatorial Current lowers land and water temperatures, providing a perfect environment for whale sharks.

Whale sharks are filter feeders, extracting plankton from the water, and often small fish as well.  They are migratory, and travel the oceans in regular routes to feed.   The islands of the Galapagos provide numerous areas of natural upwelling during Whale Shark season – and the plankton love this.  And Whale Sharks love plankton!

Our underwater guides are the best sources for finding whale sharks.  They know how to watch the wind, current, and water temperature to determine the best spots to find the whale sharks.  While this is often at an underwater point facing the upwelling (but sometimes not the current – the upwelling and current may be different) it is often not real close to the reef.

© Galapaogs Sky