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Diving Holidays to The Galapagos Islands: Sample Programme |
THE FOLLOWING 7 NIGHT ITINERARY IS A SAMPLE ONLY. THE 10 NIGHT ITINERARY INCLUDES 3 MORE DIVING DAYS WITH ADDITIONAL LAND EXCURSIONS.
Sky Dancer's itinerary offers a total of approx. 19 dives It offers 4 land excursions, and covers 565.5 nautical miles of ocean. It has only one very long navigation (15 hours from Wolf to North Seymour). It also places Darwin & Wolf Islands closer to the end of the trip, and finishes the diving with 2 really great dive sites (North Seymour & Gordon's rocks) that our guests won't forget. It also allows flexibility with our timing, in case of any delays during the trip. It allows us an extra day nearby an airport at the beginning of the trip in case of delayed luggage or passengers.
When the TAME or AEROGAL flight is scheduled for early arrival, our Sky Dancer crew will escort all guests to the Galapagos Interpretation Center after being greeted at the airport and before boarding the Sky Dancer. This gives our guests a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the oceanography and volcanic origins, plus a very nice exhibit on the human history of the Galapagos Islands.
Sunday:Guests are welcomed aboard at approx. 1:00. After a short period of relaxation and adjustment there is a briefing and mandatory "check out dive" at Isla Lobos. A land walk at Isla Lobos is also scheduled. Dinner at 7:00 pm followed by Orientation Slide Show. Each weekday morning is greeted with morning beverage service to your stateroom and a breakfast cooked to order. Lunch is always buffet, but an elegant dinner will be served to the table. Each evening provides an opportunity for entertainment, education or other diversion.
Monday:2 dives at Cousins Rock in the morning and a land excursion at Bartolome Island. Possible opportunity to snorkel with Penguins at Bartolome. Night dive at Cousins Rock.
Tuesday:Land walk at Punta Espinosa and possibly opportunities to snorkel with Marine Iguanas. 3 dives this day including Caleta Tagus Cove and Punta Vicente Roca, an excellent night dive.
Wednesday to Friday:These days will include diving at the remote Wolf and Darwin Islands with up to four or five dives per day on Wednesday and Thursday and two dives on Friday before returning to the Central islands.
Saturday:Two dives will be scheduled at North Seymour and possibly Gordon Rocks in the Morning with a visit to Puerta Ayora in the afternoon for shopping and a tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Sunday:8:00 am departure is preceeded by a continental breakfast buffet. Once guests disembark there is still an opportunity to visit the Interpretation Center at San Cristobal before boarding the flight back to Ecuador's mainland.
Sky Dancer's 10 Night Itinerary Features:
1) San Cristobal/Baltra
2) Espanola Island: AM 2 dives at Gardner's Seamount/ PM Long land walk at Punta Suarez
3) Floreana Island: AM Dive at Enderby; Dive at Champion/PM dive at Devil's Crown, land walk at Punta Cormorant/ Night dive at Champion
4) Cousins and Bartolome
5) Fernandina & Isabela
6) Wolf
7) Darwin
8) Darwin
9) Wolf
10) North Seymour, Gordon's & Santa Cruz
11) San Cristobal/Baltra
This Itinerary, besides the addition of Espanola & Floreana Islands, includes one extra day at Wolf & Darwin Islands. This is a “Sample Itinerary Only.” Itineraries may be changed due to current or pending weather conditions or at the Captain’s discretion to ensure the safety of the passengers, crew and vessel. |
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Liveaboard Diving accommodation at The Galapagos Islands |
| Aggressor I and II
 
The Aggressor I and II are stunning 30m yachts that were built in 1992 and have since been overhauled in 2000. Each accommodates 14 passengers in seven bright and spacious double staterooms, all benefit from controlled air conditioning, en-suite bathroom with hot water shower and fresh linen.
There is a comfortable dining saloon and several sun terraces for guests to relax on between and after dives. The onboard chef boasts an array of native seafood and international cuisine to suit all tastes and quell those post-dive hunger pangs! These powerful yachts boast large dive platforms with individual preparation space and gear storage.
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Professionally arranged dive platform with individual preparation space and storage. Freshwater showers and rinsing tanks. |
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Inflatable ocean-going 12- passenger life raft and 2 passenger inflatables. |
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Tanks are filled in-place with either air or nitrox between dives. |
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A full line of rental scuba gear is available on board. |
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Diving certification and specialty courses including nitrox certification available. |
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E-6 photo lab, camera rinse tank, fountain, and three-tiered, carpeted camera table. |
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Full line of rental camera equipment, editing equipment for videographers. |
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Delicious meals and in-between dive snacks. |
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Entertainment centre, including TV, VCR, DVD, stereo and CD player. |
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Computer with email facilities and satellite phone. |
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Slide projector, screen and light tables. |
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Hot-tub on deck. |
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Seven night cruises departing every Thursday. |
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3 dives per day, plus 1 or 2 land trips. |
Sky Dancer
 
MV Sky Dancer, (Peter Hughes fleet), is a 30m yacht accommodating up to 16 guests in 8 luxurious staterooms. All staterooms have a window view, air-conditioning and en-suite bathroom with daily fresh linen. A crew of eight are there to offer superb service at all times. Sky Dancer boasts comfortable sun decks and saloon where guests can relax after all dives taking in the magnificent scenery. The dive platform is spacious and well equipped with individual preparation and storage space, plus a couple of showers and a water fountain.
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Dives taken from MK V Zodiac dive tenders. |
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Two dive masters will attend all dives; a Naturalist guide and dive professional approved by the National Park. |
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Spacious dive platform with freshwater showers. |
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Tanks and weights are provided, compressed in-place air fills. |
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Speciality dive courses are available. |
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Dive gear available for hire. |
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Camera and video rental available, daily E6 processing. |
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Fresh daily towels and toiletries. |
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An array of international cuisine for all meals and snacks. |
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Complete entertainment centre, including video, monitor, projector, tape deck, CD and radio. The crew will show slides and videos. |
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Satellite phone. |
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7 and 10 night cruises from January to July and late October to December. |
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Prices for diving The Galapagos Islands |
Inclusions for all cruises
- Accommodation aboard the vessel.
- Diving.
- Compressed air tanks, weights & weight belts.
- Airport transfers on day of arrival and departure.
- All meals and snacks.
- Non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.
Aggressor I and II
Jan. 6, 2007 - Jan. 5, 2006....... £1660
Jan. 5, 2006 - Jan. 4, 2007....... £1719
Jan. 4, 2007 - Jan. 3, 2008....... £1775
Jan. 3, 2008 - Jan. 1, 2009....... £1830
Rates are per person, double occupancy, except for quad cabins which are per person, quadruple occupancy.
All prices quoted in GBP. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Master suite staterooms are larger and have one double bed (king on Bay Islands), couples preferred. Deluxe staterooms have one double bed and one single bunk. Twin staterooms have two single bunks, singles preferred. Quad staterooms have four single bunks, singles preferred.
CHARTERS INCLUDE:
• Accommodations aboard the vessel
• Diving
• Compressed air tanks, weights & weight belts
• Airport transfers on day of arrival and departure (except Okeanos Aggressor)
• All meals and snacks, non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages
• (We are happy to accommodate most special dietary requests)
CHARTERS DO NOT INCLUDE:
• Airfare
• Insurance
• Equipment rentals
• Nitrox fills
• Certification or specialty courses
• Hotel stays or day rooms
• Dinner on final evening
• Crew gratuity
• Government taxes or park fees (when applicable)
• A £110 discount applies to non-divers
• A £110 discount applies to consecutive charters
• When multiple discounts apply, only the most generous offer can be applied to the charter rate.
• Custom designed itineraries available on whole boat charters. Book a full charter and we'll give one free place.
• Diving World also offers tour packages for extended stays. If you would like assistance with your air itinerary, don't hesitate to contact Diving World on 020 7407 0019.
Sky Dancer
| MV Sky Dancer 2007-6 Price List |
Staterooms |
Deck |
2007/7 night |
2007/10 night |
2006/7 night |
2006/10 night |
Master Staterooms (4) |
Lido |
£1665 |
£2290 |
£1720 |
£2350 |
Twin Staterooms (4) |
Dolphin |
£1550 |
£2180 |
£1610 |
£2240 |
| Package Inclusions: Seven or ten nights on board the Sky Dancer, all meals and beverages (including national brands of alcohol), airport transfers in San Cristobal, five ½ or eight ½ days of diving (depending upon itinerary) up to four dives per day, land excursions on some days, other Dancer Fleet services and amenities. Does not include hotel in Guayaquil or Quito and air travel between Guayaquil or Quito and San Cristobal. |
| Plus Galapagos National Park Fee USD$100 (c.£55)and Recompression Chamber Support USD$35 (c.£20)
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| MV Sky Dancer 2007 Price List |
Staterooms |
Deck |
2007/7 night |
2007/10 night |
Master Staterooms (4) |
Lido |
£1775 |
£2400 |
Twin Staterooms (4) |
Dolphin |
£1710 |
£2352 |
| Package Inclusions: Seven or ten nights on board the Sky Dancer, all meals and beverages (including national brands of alcohol), airport transfers in San Cristobal, five ½ or eight ½ days of diving (depending upon itinerary) up to four dives per day, land excursions on some days, other Dancer Fleet services and amenities. Does not include hotel in Guayaquil or Quito and air travel between Guayaquil or Quito and San Cristobal. |
| Plus Galapagos National Park Fee USD$100 (c.£55) and Recompression Chamber Support USD$35 (c.£20) |
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OVERVIEW |
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 Diving World offers liveaboard accommodation either onboard the MY Aggressor or MY Sky Dancer
 Accommodation aboard the vessel, diving, compressed air tanks, weights & weight belts, airport transfers on day of arrival and departure, all meals and snacks, non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.
 Liveaboard diving with 4/5 dives a day. PADI courses available, nitrox diving, night diving and more.
 Basic packages from £1660 (inclusions as stated above). Air fares and airport taxes extra.
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The Galapagos Islands have a sub-tropical climate with two seasons the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season begins in November and runs until June.March and April are generally considered the best months for visiting the islands; when the weather is warm, the winds are light, the sea is calm, and the birds are nesting.
After April the weather becomes cooler. July to November marks the dry season. Temperatures become cooler and the skies cloudier although it seldom rains. Water temperatures drop to 70º F (21ºC) or below and the winds can make the water choppy. A sweater or jacket may be necessary on cloudy days and at night.
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| We can arrange all the flights whether they are direct from the UK or connecting flights from abroad. If you are interested in The Galapagos Islands, please contact us and we will find the best flights available at the time of booking. |
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| No visa required for British Nationals at present. |
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| Prices start at £1660 for 7 nights on a liveaboard (Full board). International flights and connecting flights are an additional cost. |
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A few Dive sites...
Cousins island This Galapagos dive site is on the northwest side of Santiago Island; and this dive site includes diving on walls, slopes and ledges. Here you will see a wall full of Galapagos ‘endemic’ species, black coral with lots of life on it, sleeping Green Sea Turtles and the biggest Sea Horse of the Pacific - more than 10 inches long. You are likely to encounter small schools of Hammerhead Sharks, Eagle Rays and very often-Pacific Barracudas; but for sure, one of the most incredible experiences will be seeing playful Sea Lions together with Fur Seals.
Wolf Island This Galapagos Islands dive site is one of the main attractions for us as divers, these two islands are the highlight of any Galapagos diving trip, It is an overnight 14-hour navigation to get to Wolf and Darwin Islands, considered the best diving in the Galapagos islands, some say in the entire world... as you approach Wolf island the boat will be surrounded by the big Pods of Dolphins that seem to be residents to the Island. Wolf is a very small island with high cliffs full of bird life: such as red footed boobies, Great Frigate Birds, Swallow Tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies & Terns. The underwater topography is either boulder slopes or walls that offer the most outstanding number of tropical fish of the Galapagos waters. This island, along with Darwin, are magnets for Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks which normally have a lot of parasites, and the fish from the slopes will swim to the Hammerheads and remove and eat their parasites. Wolf and Darwin islands are cleaning stations and feeding stations for all fish, big and small including Amberjacks, Whale sharks, Trumpet and Coronet fish, Butterfly fish, Tangs and Marbled rays. Rocky cliffs reach below the surface of the water, the unusual currents that are found in these nutrient rich waters make the site as unpredictable as it is exciting. Amazing diving here!
Darwin Island This Galapagos Islands dive site is the main attraction for us as divers, these two islands are the highlight of any Galapagos dive trip, Darwin is even smaller than Wolf and a further 3 hours sailing time, it is here that you find the beautiful arch formation, appropriately named ‘Darwin’s Arch’. It is from Darwin island & Darwin's Arch that I chose the name for this website, from July-December encounters with the biggest fish of the ocean, the Whale shark, can almost be guaranteed. The Whale Sharks here are Big! no... VERY BIG! Next time you look at a London bus.... well these Whale Sharks are bigger than the bus... just to give you some idea of BIG. There is just about anything you want to see here, large schools of Hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, Silky sharks, Manta rays, Blue spotted jacks, Rainbow runners, Streamer hogfish, Spotted Morays, Sea turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Bottle nose dolphins, Sailfish... simply some of the best diving in the world.You can literally see anything here... almost all the main species of Great Whales inhabit or visit these waters and that includes Killer Whales.
Roca Redonda This Galapagos dive site is located off the north-western tip of Isabela Island, is the tip of an active volcano that rises several thousand feet from the sea floor and emerges from the water as an island. Bubbles of hydrogen sulfide percolate through the sandy bottom as proof of the ongoing volcanic activity here. At an average depth of 60 feet, this diving site is sometimes considered a difficult diving experience because of strong currents and heavy surge. At this site you can observe Sea lions, Scalloped Hammerheads, Yellow tailed surgeon fish, Galapagos grunts, and even Whale sharks. Other fish forms include red and dog snappers, amber jacks, pacific barracudas, tuna fish, groupers, scorpion fish, rays and several species of eels. This is one of the few sites where you will see cold-water fish swimming side by side with warm water fish.
Punta Vicente Roca This Galapagos dive site is one of THE BEST dive sites... in the day at the right time of year this place has lots and lots of Sunfish... It is a wall dive that will take you in and out of a shallow cave with a big variety of invertebrates ranging from sponges to octopus, red lipped batfish, frogfish, sea horses and port Jackson sharks. This will be the only chance to get a free ‘manicure’ given by the hinge-beak prawns. In the night time it is the sleeping place of lots of huge Green Turtles in the overhangs on the wall, it will also be the scariest night dive that you have ever done!!! due to the fact that you will have Sea lions whizzing around you and hunting by the light of your torch - This dive site will long remain in your memory.... it is certainly one of my favourites!!!
Gordon Rocks This Galapagos dive site is off the east coast of the Island of Santa Cruz is considered to be one of the best diving sites of the central group of islands. The rocky conditions are made up of a volcanic crater that is about 300 feet across and you can dive on all sides of the crater, both inside and out: it is an excellent example of an eroded ‘tuff’ cone. At 90 feet you can find a colony of burrowing garden eels on the sandy bottom alongside Hammerheads, Stingrays, White-Tipped Sharks, Sea Lions, Moray Eels, Horse Conches, Sea Turtles, Rays, large Jacks Groupers, and Snappers.
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