Make your wish list Galapagos diving holiday stand out from the rest with the Galapagos Extreme itinerary. This very special trip spends even longer at the shark mecca Wolf and Darwin. There is no where on earth quite like the Galapagos. Your seven nights and eight days will be filled with memories to last a lifetime - thrilling dives, exotic vistas - and these will be only a small part of your experience. The onboard Galapagos National Park guides have a wealth of knowledge about these unique volcanic islands and are ready to share their experience with every guest, as well as provide you with the customer service and all of the amenities for which the Explorer Ventures Fleet is known.
The main focus of the Galapagos Extreme itinerary is Wolf and Darwin, with up to 15 dives scheduled here. For many divers these two sites are why you dive the Galapagos. The schooling hammerheads are spectacular. Hook into the rocky reef and watch this sharks come in to be cleaned. This is up close and personal encounters. The area is packed with Galapagos and silky sharks too. Massive eagle and manta rays are seen over the winter and spring months, whilst the summer is best for gigantic whalesharks. As you transit to these remote spots, you will also dive at Isla Lobos, Punta Carrion and Cousin's Rock. These sites are super for sea lions. These guys are playful and fast, making these dives hugely entertaining. If you can tear yourself away from the action, Galapagos actually offers great macro life, and the sea horses at Cousin's are a real treat.
The park permissions strictly control the number and location of dive and land tours. The itineraries are subject to minor changes at short notice by the Marine Park Authorities. Under the current permission, Humbolt Explorer will offer land tours at North Seymour to visit the large colonies of Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate birds. At the end of the trip you then visit the Santa Cruz Highlands to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat and visit the Darwin Centre.
The Galapagos is a remote location and at times, the conditions under the water or on the surface can be challenging. Divers should be experienced at diving in a current and making negative entries. This is not an itinerary for novice divers. All dives are fully guided at all times. Water temps are variable throughout the route, due to the different current areas you will visit. We strongly recommend you layer up your wetsuit options, and a vest, hood and gloves are a great addition to your dive bag. You are allowed to take reef hooks. Please check with your travel consultant about the required safety equipment.
Humboldt Explorer, based in the Galapagos Islands, has been newly remodeled and is back in the water ready for divers. Diving on Humboldt Explorer is already a five-star experience, but now the liveaboard has even better accommoda... MORE
Scuba Travel works with a range of liveaboards with permission to dive in the Galapagos. Please note the above number of dives are intended as a rough guide only. Local permissions mean that the actual sites visited can change at short notice, although this is infrequent. Each of the boat operators works closely with the local authorities to arrange the dive sites, but Scuba Travel is in no way able to control the sites visited on land or underwater.
Embarkation Points
All boats leave normally from San Cristobal island but on occasion they may need to depart from Baltra. This will not affect your diving.
Trip Duration
Humboldt Explorer offers trips for 7 nights with 18-19 dives total
Arrival
Generally speaking you will arrive into Ecuador either via Guayaquil or Quito and then overnight. This gives you a chance to recuperate. Your flight to the islands will depart early the next morning and you will be advised of the transfer time locally. You will be met in San Cristobal by the boat who will assist with the national park fees, transit card and chamber tax (these can be prepaid). You will then be escorted to your liveaboard.
Your first dive will normally be that afternoon at a popular site on San Cristobal called Isla Lobos where you can get close to the colony of friendly sea lions. Looks out for rays and sand dollars too. if you are not having too much fun with the speedy sea lions! The boat will also sail around Kicker Rock so you can get your first views of the startling scenery in the Galapagos before cocktail hour!
Wolf & Darwin
The main focus of the Galapagos Extreme itinerary is Wolf & Darwin. You can expect to do up to 15 dives over 4 days.
There are several sites here worth dropping in on. The Landslide is a sleep cliff that drops underwater to a depth of 50m and where the hammerheads can be found - look to the blue. Galapagos sharks, rays, eels and turtles too! The Pinnacle is a swift drift dive and Shark Bay is home to yet more hammerheads. Hop in for an easy last dive at the Anchorage to see the red lipped batfish crawling along the bottom.
The most famous landmark in Darwin are the Pilars which can be subject to strong currents and therefore sharks. Hover over the sandy bottom as hammerheads come in to be cleaned by angel fish. Amid the sharks are schooling barracuda, tuna and jacks. Repeating the Pillars will yield even more sightings, especially if you venture into the blue where you may find whalesharks, manta or turtles swimming lazily past.
Santa Cruz area
On the way up to and back from Wolf and Darwin dives will be offered at some excellent dive sites.
There are usually 2 dives offered at Punta carrion. This is a great site for rays in particular and great big schools of fish.
The trip typically finishes at Cousin's Rock for 1 or 2 dives. This is actually a great macro dive site (look for sea horses!) but also famous for sea lions and eagle rays.
Land excursions
At the beginning of the trip there is usually a chance to go out in the panga to get close to marine life. There is a land tour (eg North Seymor)
At the end of your diving you will have a chance to explore the Galapagos surface side. You will have a chance to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat on Santa Cruz. This is followed by a trip to the Charles Darwin or the Interpretation centre.
Dismbarkation Points
All boats normally return to San Cristobal but on occasions you may return to Baltra. If you are not extending your stay in the Galapagos then your return journey to the UK will begin. You can catch your return flight to Ecuador from either point.
Alternatively you can take more time on the mainland. Talk to the travel team about rainforest or city extensions.
We would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
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