Galapagos Islands Diving Holidays

Galapagos Islands

If Carlsberg made dive locations, this would probably be one of theirs.

A place that doesn’t need any introduction and is on every diver's list. See schools of pelagic fish on every dive and indigenous animals on tours of the islands.

Hammerheads
Eagle rays
Whale sharks
Wildlife excursions
Advanced divers
Trip of a lifetime!

Insider’s View

A trip to the Galapagos Islands will be a once in a lifetime holiday for most, the diverse and beautiful land and marine creatures located here cannot be found elsewhere in the world. It will certainly be on every diver’s bucket list and here at Ultimate Diving we want to help make this trip a reality for you.

The diving element of your holiday will likely be the pinnacle point of your adventure and we have plenty of options to suit all travel needs. For the most confident and adventurous our liveaboards are undoubtedly the best way to visit the Galapagos which generally depart from Baltra so we can base any other elements of the trip around this. Divers will get to see cow rays and Galapagos sharks, schools of pelagic fish, with regular sightings of sea lions, turtles, penguins, mobula and eagle rays, seals, various species of shark including the ubiquitous hammerhead shark. A phenomenal diving experience is guaranteed in this unique destination!

These sites can be so thick with action it can be difficult to recall all the species that have come into view. Sightings of mackerel, manta rays and even dolphins are possible on many dives. If you are lucky, you might have an encounter with a whale shark, especially between the months of August and October.

If liveaboards are not for you do not fear we have a variety of land-based options on the different Islands, for example a 10-day Island hopping trip in the Galapagos enables you to experience some of the amazing diving on offer and have more time with the mesmerizing wildlife the Islands are famous for all without having to get on a liveaboard.

OUR HOLIDAY PRODUCTS

Cocos and Galapagos Diving Tour

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park

A diving holiday to the Galapagos or the Cocos Islands is right at the top of any diver’s bucket list so imagine a trip combining these two amazing destinations? Heaven on earth…

Ecounters with pelagic creatures
Visit 2 Pelagic destinations in 1 holiday
Visit Wolf and Darwin dive sites
Visit Cocos Island and see the nature
Possible strong current
Most suitable for advanced divers

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The Ultimate Diving Shore Based Experience

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park

Are you looking for an adventure of a lifetime exploring some of the most beautiful islands in the world whilst fitting in some amazing dives? Look no further! The Ultimate Diving Shore Based Experience will offer you just that!

Frigate Hill Hiking
Encounters with pelagic creatures
Visit the famous Bartolome Pinnacle
Visit Charles Darwin Station
Tortoise Breeding Center
Flamingos and White Pintail Ducks

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Once In A Lifetime Experience to the Galapagos

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park

Galapagos is a diving destination often considered by experienced divers as the pinnacle in their diving careers. Many agree the islands have, quite simply, the best liveaboard diving cruises in the world plus incredible non-diving wildlife adventure cruises.

Diving Included for the diving enthusiast
Land visit to North Seymour Island
Observe Galapagos penguins
Most suitable for advanced divers

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Danubio Azul

With top naturalist guides diving the Galapagos Islands, a destination with massive pelagic interest gives divers excellent diving and naturalist itineraries. Danubio Azul is a tourist class yacht offering a first class service.

Max 14 guests
Galapagos National Park
Transfer to / from airport
AC cabins and en suite
Nitrox available (charge)
Departs from Baltra

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Galapagos Aggressor III

What has to be the most renowned place for diving with the big stuff. The Galapagos Aggressor makes it a trip to remember. Quality service, guides and an overall above standard experience.

Max 16 guests
Suitable for advanced divers
Pelagic fish inc Hammerheads
Visit Wolf and Darwin dive sites
Day excursions available
Book early as popular trip

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Humboldt Explorer

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park

Your underwater adventures in the Galapagos will encompass everything from hammerheads and whale sharks, to penguins, marine iguanas, and more. The Humboldt Explorer offers a fantastic diving experience!

Max 16 guests
Green Fins & PADI Eco Center certified liveaboard
Up to 4 dives per day
Choice of Cabin Types
Hammerhead & Whale Sharks
Land Excursions

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Galapagos Sky

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park

The Galapagos Sky is a luxurious 33m liveaboard yacht, specifically designed for scuba diving in the breathtaking Galapagos Islands. With room for just 16 passengers, it offers an intimate and comfortable experience for divers, blending top-tier luxury with adventure in one of the world’s most iconic diving destinations.

Max 16 guests
Nitrox Available
Deluxe & Master Cabins
Up to 4 dives a day
Land Excursions
Pelagic action inc Hammerheads

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Galapagos Master

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park

Galapagos Master is set to be the most eco-friendly dive liveaboard cruising the Galapagos Islands. The experienced crew are waiting to welcome you aboard and show you the best of the Galapagos, both underwater and on land.

Max 16 guests
3 to 4 dives per day
7 and 10 night itineraries
Land tours available
Hammerhead Sharks and Whale Sharks
Nitrox available

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Sonesta Hotel Guayaquil

Galapagos Islands, Mainland Ecuador

With a stay at Sonesta Hotel Guayaquil, you'll be centrally located in Guayaquil, steps from Plaza del Sol and minutes from Mall del Sol Commercial Center.

Used as stopover hotel only
Close to Guayaquil Airport
Free shuttle transfer (pre-bookable)
Great service
Business facilities available
Modern and great location

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Marcelina

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Colin H. 7 nights aboard the Galapagos Sky

Group of divers meet aboard the Galapagos Sky and become dive friends for life.

Colin H. 7 nights aboard the Galapagos Sky

4 Day Mangrove Roots Land Tour

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands. Your guide will meet you at the airport where you will take a shuttle to the end of Baltra Island to take a ferry to Santa Cruz. Once at Santa Cruz another shuttle will be waiting to take you to visit the highlands.

Tour Type: Nature Tours

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5 Day Mangrove Roots Day Tour

Tour Type: Cultural Tours

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Mangrove Essentials – San Cristobal

Tour Type: Hotel and Tours

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Mangrove Essentials – Isabela

Once you have arrived at Baltra Airport you will be taken to Santa Cruz with your guide. Here begins an introduction to the highlands. This lush part of the island is bountiful and green. You’ll stop here for lunch at a local ranch. Afterwards, you will head to the Charles Darwin Research Station. It is a research facility that has an extensive collection of Galapagos plant life specimens carefully preserved and also acts as a biological research station and active breeding center operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Tour Type: Hotel and Tours

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The Mangrove Experience

After arriving at San Cristóbal airport, we will visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Here we can learn more about the origin of the archipelago, its fauna and flora, as well as the natural history and first inhabitants. After that, we will hike for about 2 hours to Frigate Hill where you’ll see the endemic vegetation and beautiful views of the island and its surroundings.

Tour Type: Hotel and Tours

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Galapagos National Park

The Galapagos National Park covers approximately 7,970 square kilometers, which corresponds only to its terrestrial part.

Tour Type: Nature Tours

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Destination Fact File

If Carlsberg made dive locations, this would probably be one of theirs.

Galapagos Islands dive sites map and details. Find out more about the diving available in Galapagos Islands. Use the map below to navigate around the area and select a dive site on the map to view the details or select a dive site on the navigation and the map and information will update.

You can view all our Galapagos Islands dive sites on Google Earth using our downloadable Google Earth overlay. Click Here to download the Ultimate Overlay.

Climate Information

Wildlife Calendar

Destination Key Information

Currenct	US Dollar
Time Difference	GMT - 6
Vaccinations	Possible recommended vaccinations are typhoid, hepatitis A, diphtheria, and yellow fever. Do this well ahead of time since some vaccinations, like diphtheria, need to be administered three months prior to your trip!
Tipping	Tipping is not such a big deal here. Ten percent is usual or just round up the tab.
Passport & Visas	British citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, irrespective of the endorsement with regard to national status contained in the visitor's passport.
Taxes	14% VAT and 10% Service.
Flight Routes	Flights to the Galapagos will be either Quito or Guayaquil.
International Flight Durations	Average flight is 17h & 20min including the stop.
Luggage Allowance	20 kg
Transfer Information	Our packages include transfers on arrival and departure day. On arrival you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the liveaboard.
Dive Season	There are 2 seasons in the Galapagos Islands: Wet and Dry. They fade into each other so there is no strict dividing line but they can be generally characterised as follows: January to June is wet season with sunny spells either side of the brief showers which can occur daily. This period has warmer water temperatures generally fluctuating between 20 - 28°C during this time. Dry season, more or less from July to December, sees less rain but is also cooler above and below the waters. Water temperatures in dry season are usually 16 - 23°C. The wisest course of action is to come prepared with exposure suits for a range of temperatures. Marine conditions are variable and it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared when scuba diving in Ecuador. Often whale shark season is emphasised as the best time to come (June to November). However, many of those in the know contend that January to May, with warm water and sunny skies, offer the most pleasant all round Galapagos diving experience. This period seems to produce better sightings of creatures other than the whale shark, including a greater chance of manta ray encounters and the best hammerhead shark action.