7 days diving tour motor sailer Nautilus

Morning – Arrival at Baltra Airport: Your TCC (Transit Control Card), also known as the Ingala card (US$20 per person), will be issued digitally after you complete an online form. At the airport, this digital card will be checked, and your luggage will be inspected to ensure that no non-native plant or animal species are introduced. In addition, the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (US$200) must be paid upon arrival if it has not already been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, help you with your luggage and accompany you on the short bus ride to your hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Afternoon – Charles Darwin Station: This is where biological research and indispensable conservation of the unique archipelago are carried out. The complex houses the Interpretation and Information Center of the National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The most unforgettable part of your visit will most likely be the successful hatchery and encounter with the Galapagos giant tortoises. Before lunch you will have some time to explore the area.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner

South Plaza: The uninhabited ‘Plazas’ are located on the east coast of Santa Cruz Island and south of Gordons Rocks and are great for a first dive because of the low current. If there are enough people interested in a Discovery or Check dive, this spot will be offered in combination with Gordon Rocks. At Plazas there are also good possibilities to watch playing sea lions.

Gordon Rocks: Gordon Rocks are located northeast of Plazas Islands and are visible from a distance with their three massive pinnacles. The rocks are the remains of an extinct volcano whose largely destroyed caldera is now home to a variety of wildlife. Here, for example, sea lions can be observed jumping into the water. The different and sometimes very strong currents, which are caused by the special arrangement of the rocks, are not to be underestimated, which is why the place is only suitable for experienced divers. It is not for nothing that this spot is also called “La Lavadora” – The Washing Machine. It is very likely to find swarms of hammerhead sharks, eagle rays and groups of whitetip reef sharks here. Turtles, moray eels and the Galapagos shark cavort on site as well as sea lions and swarms of barracudas.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

Northeast Seymour: The uninhabited island of Seymour is located north of Baltra Island. Characteristic is high density of frigatebird colonies. The underwater topography is characterized by steep cliffs and jagged rock slabs, which are home to large numbers of whitetip reef sharks and sea turtles. The animals rest in the large crevices and therefore can be wonderfully observed and photographed. Moray eels and smaller reef fish hide in the numerous small crevices. The sandy bottom serves as an ideal camp and hunting ground for stingrays. The dives take place on the northeast coast of Seymour, where strong currents can occur from time to time. For this reason, it is important to have your dive partner always in sight. Solo dives are to be avoided at all costs.

Daphne Minor: This small and highly eroded island 20 nautical miles north of Santa Cruz is, like Daphne Major, uninhabited. It is an important nesting and breeding site for numerous birds. There are several dive sites off the island, suitable for beginners as well as advanced divers. The east coast of Daphne Minor is a very diverse diving area with characteristic steep rock walls and a protruding platform. At a depth of 6 meters there is a cave where resting whitetip reef sharks and sea turtles can be seen. A pinnacle at 20 meters is home to beautiful reef fish. There is also the possibility of spotting groups of manta rays and spotted eagle rays, which filter microorganisms from the water while slowly floating. At Daphne Minor you can also find the famous shoals of golden oarfish. These fish, about 10 cm long, occur in the tens of thousands and are the preferred food source for birds nesting on the island and some sharks. If you are lucky, during a dive you can see the birds hunting for the coveted gold straps, piercing the surface of the sea like arrows to catch their prey.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

Seymour Channel: The sandy channel between Seymour Northeast and the small island of Mosquera is an excellent spot for beginners due to its shallow depth and weak current. Ideal for a first diving experience is the middle part with a maximum depth of 10 meters. Here you can find large colonies of tube eels and on the sandy bottom stingrays, sea turtles and playful sea lions. On the rocky parts you can see moray eels and white tip reef sharks. For experienced divers, an entry point is available near Seymour North Island. At a depth of 22 meters, you will encounter big fish, which usually stay in deeper and more currents places. Single specimens of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks and rays can also be seen here.

North Mosquera: Characteristic for the diving area around Mosquera is the extensive sandy bottom at a depth of 12 meters where large colonies of tube eels have settled. At the northern tip of the narrow island, it is possible even for inexperienced divers to see large fish such as the Galapagos shark. These are usually found at depths of 12 and 25 meters. At the deeper rock formations numerous beautiful reef fish and the ubiquitous white tip reef shark can be observed.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

You have this day at leisure on Santa Cruz. Tips for today:

Las Grietas: These are lava formations with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It is better to visit early in the morning, otherwise it can be very crowded.

Tortuga Bay: A beautiful beach about 45-minute walk from Puerto Ayora. Marine iguanas, lava lizards, many birds and of course the beautiful underwater world can be observed here.

Muelle de los Pescadores: The landing place of the small fishing boats is the meeting place of many sea lions and pelicans. It is a great spectacle to watch the animals waiting hopefully to get hold of a small piece of fish.

Tip for dinner: If you want to have an authentic meal in the evening, ask for the restaurant street. Here the local restaurants set up their tables on the street and in a simple but very nice atmosphere you can have dinner together with the Galapagenos in the restaurant of your choice. To be on the safe side, please ask again at your accommodation if the restaurant street is still “open” every day.

Meals: Breakfast

Seymour Channel: The sandy channel between Seymour Northeast and the small island of Mosquera is an excellent spot for beginners due to its shallow depth and weak current. Ideal for a first diving experience is the middle part with a maximum depth of 10 meters. Here you will find large colonies of tube eels and on the sandy bottom stingrays, sea turtles and playful sea lions. On the rocky parts you can see moray eels and white tip reef sharks. For experienced divers, an entry point is available near Seymour North Island. At a depth of 22 meters, you will encounter big fish, which usually stay in deeper and more currents places. Single specimens of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks and rays can also be seen here.

South Mosquera: The highlight of diving near South Mosquera are the steep slopes. Entry is via a platform that drops steadily from 10 meters to 25 meters. From there it is possible to see another platform at a depth of 40 meters. This step formation continues to a depth of 1400 meters. However, you only go down to about 25 meters and look out for large animals such as hammerheads and galapagos sharks. At Mosquera, there is also nutrient-rich water due to upwelling currents from the deep sea, which is why manta rays and spotted eagle rays filter feed here as well.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

Morning – Highlands (Santa Cruz): In the highlands of Santa Cruz, you can admire different species of birds, such as the small and large tree finches, ground finches, Galapagos flycatchers and cattle egrets (often standing on the backs of turtles). As you drive into the island’s protected area, you can see the contrasts of this diverse ecosystem. The path leads from the coast through the agricultural land and directly to the dense wet forests. Often you can see the Galápagos giant tortoises in the middle of the trail or walking across the pastures and through the grass. This place is an ornithologist’s paradise because almost all the birds either live on the island or pass through here. After this visit you will drive back to the airport on Baltra Island for your return or onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast