Dive the Amazing Galapagos

Includes:

• Return Baltra airport transfers
• 7 nights / 8 days accommodation aboard the Brand New Tiburon Explorer
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Snacks
• Coffee, tea & water
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Local alcoholic beverages
• Up to 4 dives daily (weather permitting)
• 12L Air Tanks, weights, belt
• Towels and cabin services
• Dive Deck with camera table & rinse tanks
• Fuel surcharge
• Land Excursions: Visit to Santa Cruz Highlands to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Afternoon North Seymour land visit to see the large colonies of Blue Footed   Boobies and Frigate Birds. Sighting of Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas are common.

Excludes:

• All flights and airport taxes (Quotation on request)
• $ 20 Galapagos Visitors Card (Paid at Quito Airport)
• $ 100 Galapagos National Park Fee (Paid on arrival in Baltra)
• $150 Fuel levy
• $ 35 Hyperbaric chamber fee payable on board
• Tips/Gratuities $ 300 – $ 400 per person
• Nitrox – $ 150 for the week
• Dive & Travel Insurance (DAN or Equivalent)
• Airport Transfers (Mainland, Ecuador)
• Premium Alcohol Beverages
• Hire of 15L Tanks & Equipment Rental
• Gear Hire: Please enquire for rates
• Final Evening Meal (Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island- Restaurant of choice)

Please note the following:

• Prices are subject to change in the event of price increases, airfares, exchange rate fluctuations and availability.
• The exact price can only be confirmed at the time of final invoicing and final payment due date. If you would like to secure your price to avoid any fluctuations we will provide you with a final invoice  (calculated at the exchange rate at time) and payment will need to me made in FULL within 24 hours of receipt of the invoice.
• The tour package has been quoted on a sharing basis and an additional single supplement fee will be charged for singles

Diving Highlights and Bucket List Dive Sites:

Darwin’s Arch

Is a natural rock arch feature situated to the southeast of Darwin Island in the Pacific Ocean. The arch sits on an irregularly shaped, rocky, submerged plateau, nicknamed “the theatre”. If you’re after large sea creatures, this is the place to go as most of them converge here due to the strong currents. Although you will be able to see the usual’s like manta rays and sea turtles, the sheer number of sharks (especially if you go during the right season) is nothing short of magnificent.

Wolf Island

While you are bound to see the usual sharks, mobula rays, and bluefin tunas, the reason this dive site so popular is because whale sharks often frequent these waters. They often can be seen from between 6 and 60 feet (2 and 20 meters) from June to December.

Cousins Rock

You’ll find an incredible variety of macro life at Cousins Rock, including scorpionfish, seahorses, frogfish, and nudibranchs. Larger life such as playful sea lions, mantas and eagle rays are also common. Cousins is shaped like a volcanic cone so if there is current, usually from the south east, then part of the site is sheltered and the formation of the site makes a great multi-level dive.

tiburon explorer

DECK / CABIN SPECIFICATIONS:

This beautiful  brand new, state-of-the-art, boat is launching in the Galapagos. This 125 footer luxury vessel will accommodate 16 passengers in 9 air-conditioned staterooms located on the main and lower decks.

All staterooms are located on the main and lower decks and have ocean view windows to maximize views of the Galapagos Archipelago. In addition, each stateroom has twin beds that can be converted to comfortable queen beds for couples. Each cabin has private bath and shower facilities, dressers and closets.

The Main Deck features six guest staterooms, 1-6, each with private bath and shower, air-conditioning, ample storage and large windows providing guests with amazing ocean views. The dining area, lounge/entertainment area, bar and large dive deck are also located on the Main Deck.

The Lower Deck comprises 3 suites, 7-9, each with private bath and shower, air-conditioning, port windows and ample storage.

Language

The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken nearly everywhere

Time zone

Climate

Galapagos is on the Equator but the weather is not tropical. Temperatures range from 21°-30°C. The warmer season is from January to June.

Water temperature

Average temperature in Pacific Ocean in Galapagos Islands in May is a comfortable 25.0°C

Power supply

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.

dining on the tiburon explorer

Lunch and evening meals usually consist of salad, potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, cereal, toast and fresh fruit. Please note that specific brands of soft drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and it can be very difficult to find low-fat or soy products and other items common elsewhere. While the liveaboard will do its best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own items if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk or seriously compromise the enjoyment of your holiday.

inoculations

The only compulsory inoculation for Galapagos, Ecuador is Yellow Fever if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

Staying in contact

Outgoing calls may be made from the vessel via satellite phone. Please be aware that a charge is assessed for both incoming and outgoing calls.

• Vital messages may be passed to guests by calling the booking office at 1-800-322-3577
• WhatsApp access is available aboard

Cellular phone calls and internet access are available when in proximity to some of the islands if your phone is so equipped. Internet cards/access and cellular phone cards are available for purchase at the airport. The connections are based on 3G network and are good for basic emails but not fast enough for large downloads. The vessel’s location does determine the reliability of access to the internet.

currency

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Ecuador. Most major credit cards are accepted widely when shopping ashore, however, additional fees are charged in Ecuador for their use.

What payment method is accepted

Though all meals, most beverages, transportation within the Galapagos, and much more is included in your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on-board bill. These include retail items (shirts, etc.), scuba instruction, rentals, nitrox, premium alcoholic beverages, incoming and outgoing telephone calls, and crew gratuities.

Bills will be settled onboard on Friday morning. Accumulated charges may be paid using cash, Visa, or MasterCard. American Express, travelers checks and personal checks are not accepted on board, and they are unable to advance cash on credit card charges. (Travelers checks are not accepted in Ecuador nor can they easily be changed into cash.) Credit cards are subject to the 12% VAT plus 5% in bank fees. These charges can be avoided by using cash for onboard charges. ATM machines are available in Quito, Guayaquil, Puerto Ayora and San Cristobal.

Crew Gratuities

Crew gratuities are not included in your package. The crew works very hard, 7 days a week and many weeks at a stretch to provide the best possible service for our guests. The standard for this liveaboard and itinerary is $ 300 – $ 400 per person

What to bring

Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn’t require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits, though at sea the winds can be cold and jackets are often necessary. Sunglasses, a visor/hat, raincoat, lightweight sweater or jacket, long sleeved shirt, backpack, tevas (or similar) are recommended. Soft luggage is also recommended as it takes up very little space when empty. Guests traveling through Quito who are interested in day tours may wish to bring some items of clothing for slightly cooler temperatures and good walking shoes. Please remember that the Galapagos Islands straddle the Equator, and the sun can be very strong at times. For this reason, please make sure you have sufficient strength environmentally friendly sunscreen. In case of rough weather or if you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor. If you have favorite CD’s or DVD’s, feel free to bring them. All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, dive towels, and wash cloths) are provided on board.

If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, swimsuit, change of clothes, medications and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable.

There is a checked luggage limit of one bag up to 23 kilos for flights between Quito and/or Guayaquil and the Galapagos. An additional fee will be charged for the second bag or overweight luggage. In addition, passengers are allowed a carry-on bag weighing no more than 8 kilos and a personal item. All additional luggage fees must be paid in cash at flight time.

What NOT to bring

• Please plan carefully to minimise your rubbish. Whenever possible, choose rechargeable batteries and avoid bringing things like disposable razors and single use plastics.

diving

• Certification must be presented as well as a log book and dive insurance
• Safety: The Hyperbaric Facility in Ecuador’s Galapagos archipelago is operated by Protection Subaquatic del Ecuador, SA (Protesub), and is located in the town of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galapagos (pop. 20,000), and is a central ‘crossroads’ to all of the islands, making it the logical centre for diving and medical emergencies. The facility is open 24 hours a day
• Please be sure that your dive insurance is comprehensive & up to date before departing on your diving trip.
• Always follow safe diving practices at all times.
• Environmental Awareness It is recommended to wear gloves to protect against barnacles on the boulders at Darwin and Wolf. No touching of animals is permitted
• Alcohol Consumption: If alcohol is consumed in between dives by an individual then they will be required to refrain from diving for the remainder of the day
• Flying After Diving: A minimum surface interval of 18 hours must be allowed prior to flying or going to altitude