Dive the Amazing Galapagos on the Humboldt Explorer

Includes:

• Airport Transfers
• 7 Nights’ | 8 Days’ Aboard the Humboldt Explorer
• Up to 4 Dives Daily (weather permitting)
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily 
• Snacks & Refreshments
• Local Beer & Wine
• Non-alcoholic Beverages
• Towels & Linens
• Tanks & Weights
• Airfills
• Free Internet
• Shore Visits

Excludes:

• All Flights & Airport Taxes
• Dive Instruction & Retails Sales
• Dive Gear
• Crew Gratuities
• Travel & Dive Insurance
• Premium Alcoholic Beverages
• Galapagos National Park Tax: $200 per person (Cash Only)
• Tourism Transit Card: $20 per person (Cash Only)
• Nitrox: $150 per person
• Fuel Tax: $150 per person

Where is Galapagos?

The Galapagos Islands are located 1000km off the Ecuador coastline in the Pacific Ocean.

The Galapagos Islands are located 1000km off the Ecuador coastline in the Pacific Ocean and is known for the volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches and wildlife found like nowhere else in the world.

Diving Highlights

• Sharks - Galapagos sharks, silky & black tips, hammerheads, whale sharks & more
• Rays - Manta, mobula rays, eagle rays, marbled rays
• Sea Lions & Fur Seals
• Dolphins & Galapagos Penguins
• Gigantic Schools s of game fish - tuna, jack, snapper & barracuda
• Colourful reef fish, huge eels, critters, endemic species such as the red-lipped bat fish & Galapagos horn-sharks
• Birds - Blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, giant tortoises, brown pelicans, frigate birds and flightless cormorants

Humboldt Explorer

• Humboldt Explorer accommodates 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms, all of which have private bath and shower facilities. Most cabins can be arranged to provide two twin beds or one large bed depending on guest needs. Cabins are located on the main and lower decks.
• The air-conditioned salon on the main deck includes dining tables, bar, TV, CD/DVD, video library and lounge area. A partially covered sundeck with jacuzzi and ample seating areas is located on the top level.
• The dive deck is equipped with individual gear bins, large camera table, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse tank for underwater camera equipment. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders) easily boarded from the dive deck.
  

SUN DECK:

• The sun deck features a large lounge area, and a hot tub with ample seating.

MAIN DECK:

• The main deck features 2 guest cabins, each with private bath and shower, 1 queen or 2 twin beds, television and ocean view. The main deck contains the dining area and dive deck.

LOWER DECK:

• The lower deck comprises of 6 cabins, each with private bath and shower, television and windows. 2 Cabins have twin beds, while the other 4 have twin beds or 1 queen bed.

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 is a comfortable 25.0°C

Power supply

110 V AC power (US-style outlets). It is highly recommended to carry a travel adaptor. 

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

The local agent for Humboldt Explorer can be reached from North America via phone at 011-593-958720537, and will be able to contact the vessel. 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. Other required fees include:

• Upon entry to the Galapagos Islands: Per person cash payments of $200 Galapagos National Park fee and $20 Tourist Card.

Bills will be settled onboard on Sunday morning. Accumulated charges may be paid using cash, Visa, or MasterCard. American Express, travelers checks and personal checks are not accepted on board, and we are unable to advance cash on credit card charges. (Travelers checks are not accepted in Ecuador nor can they easily be changed into cash.) US Dollars larger than $20 are preferred onboard. $50 and $100 bills are not accepted widely in Ecuador. Credit cards are subject to 6% in bank fees. These charges can be avoided by using cash for onboard charges. ATM machines are available in Quito, Guayaquil and Puerto Ayora.

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 industry standard for crew gratuities on dive trips is between 10% and 15% of the regular package price per passenger.

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