Tiburon Explorer | Galapagos Diving Liveaboard

Travel

Flight options

Our holidays to the Galapagos can be quoted with most major airlines from Heathrow to Quito. We are able to book most major airlines. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. Times and any applicable costs will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Quito, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.

Stopovers

As there are no direct flight, it is simple to add a stop over en route - simply ask your travel consultant for a quote. Popular locations include the USA, Amsterdam or Madrid.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 90 day tourist visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review Prior to flying to the Islands you need to purchase a Transit Control Card online https://siig-registro.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/app/tct/emitir/ which you must print off and present at the counter in Quito airport together with your passport and domestic flight ticket. As of Jan 2025, all travellers must complete the Galapagos Sworn Declaration form digitally within 24 hours of their domestic flight https://declaracion.abgalapagos.gob.ec/declaracion

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.

Fit to Dive

It is important to think about your fitness to dive in the run up to your trip. Local operators will usually ask you to complete a self certification or complete a waiver. Please read the information on our website before you travel to see if you will need to take medical clearance prior to travel, to prevent any delays, costs or disappointment locally (please note if you do require a medical many countries require the medical to be dated within 12 months of travel regardless of whats stated on the medical) - https://www.scubatravel.com/medical_statement.pdf

Immunisations

Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice for the required travel immunisations for your destination: click here to go to the NHS Ministry of Health of Ecuador: starting on May 1st 2018, all visitors are required to present upon arrival in the country, an ID card or documentation proving they have an international medical insurance & dive accident policy with coverage during their stay in the country. Migration personnel will be checking this document.

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival to the Ecuador mainland, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

Quito airport is around 1 hour by car from Quito city. You will be advised locally of your pick up time for your return to the airport and flight to the Galapagos Islands. The flying time is around 2 hours between Guayaquil and San Cristobal

Departures

At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. On leaving the Ecuador there is an departure tax of $30-$40 which must be paid in cash.

Info

Tipping

The last night Sunday dinner is arranged locally.

Currency

The U.S. dollar the standard currency used in Ecuador. We strongly recommend taking cash USD to the Galapagos for gratuities and onboard charges are best paid in cash. This avoids any additional Ecuadorian taxes and service fees. Credit cards are subject to the 14% VAT plus 5% in bank fees.

Phone coverage

Very limited, private calls might be made from the yacht by satellite phone with the crews permission.

Plugs and electricity

110 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs used are American-style (two perpendicular flat blades above a circular grounding pin) and Japanese-style (two perpendicular flat blades). It is advisable to take an adaptor. We also highly recommend that you take a surge adaptor with you if using expensive and valuable appliances.

Extras

Hire equipment

We recommend all divers bring their own mask, gloves, booties, fins, hood or hooded vest and computer. A personal wetsuit is also a good idea if you have space. Diving in Galapagos can be challenging and it is important that you are comfortable with the equipment you dive with.

Extras

To pay on board are the departure tax, fuel surcharge $150, Galapagos park fees ($200), chamber tax ($35), tourist card ($20)

Souvenirs

No souvenirs are included in the price, but there will be souvenirs available locally.

Nitrox/Gas

Nitrox is currently 150USD and can be paid either locally on the boat or prepaid - Please note: It may not be possible to complete all the dives if you are not Nitrox certified

Payments

Deposits and Balances

A typical deposit will be 30% of your liveabaord package. Additional payments maybe required to secure your flights. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel.

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our loyalty discount is all about! If you have booked directly with Scuba Travel, on your 3rd full price holiday you will automatically be eligible for a loyalty discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction. We are always happy to offer discounts as described below but these are not cumulative and we do not offer further discounts on special offer prices.

5% off for loyalty customers Travel again with any Explorer Ventures liveaboard in 12 months and join the 5-5-5 programme. Book your next trip with only a 5% deposit and extra 5% discount. You can enjoy up to 5 dives a day (where possible) and there's no charge if you have to reschedule your trip within 6 or 8 mths (depending on destination) Is this your 6th full price Explorer Ventures liveabaord? Then the fleet will apply the average price paid for those trips toward the standard retail rate of your sixth trip which, depending on the itinerary you choose, could be absolutely free!

Included

Your liveaboard is based on a twin share cabin, twin or double bed, on a full board basis, including alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, premium alcoholic beverages available for an additional charge

A 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included with up to 4 dives daily (weather permitting)

Transfers within Galapagos Islands for same day arrivals & departures

Fuel tax is included as of July 2021

Excluded

Excluding international flights to Ecuador or San Cristobal. Ask for a competitive quote to add flights and en route hotels to your booking.

To pay on board are the departure tax, fuel surcharge $150, Galapagos park fees ($200), chamber tax ($35), tourist card ($20) and nitrox ($150).

The last night Sunday dinner is arranged locally.

Crew gratuities are not included in your package. The boat suggests in regards to crew gratuities (if of course you are happy with the service which you have received) on dive trips in Galapagos is between 10% and 15% of the package price per passenger.

Tiburon Explorer Specifications

36m

2 x 450 HP

2 x 73 KW

Steel

Safety Statement

Yes

Yes

Navigation Equipment

No