8 days dive cruise yacht Humboldt Explorer

Morning – Arrival at Baltra Airport: At the mainland airport, you have purchased your TCC or Ingala card and a luggage inspection has already been carried out, ensuring that no foreign plants or animal species are introduced. Upon your arrival at Seymour Ecological airport, your TCC (Transit Control Card) will be stamped. This must be kept in a safe place during your trip, as it must be presented again on your return flight. In addition, the Galapagos National Park entrance fee must be paid upon entry (US$200), if not done previously. Your guide will meet you at the airport, help you with your luggage and will accompany you on the short bus ride to the port. Here you will board the yacht. After greeting the crew and captain, you will be assigned your cabins and then enjoy your first lunch on board.

Afternoon – Briefing: In the afternoon you will get a briefing about the dive sites, the equipment and everything else you need to know for the next days.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner

Morning – North Baltra: Early in the Morning you check the equipment and at 7:00 and at 10:00 you dive. Sightings include rays and schools of fish.

Afternoon – North Seymour: The shallow little island of North Seymour is an elevated part of the seabed. Among the scraggy bushes you can spot Galapagos iguanas. You will also see many seabirds such as the brown pelican, red-billed tropicbirds, fork-tailed gulls and, depending on the season, Nazca boobies. The main attraction, however, is Galapagos’ largest breeding colony of blue-footed boobies – be careful not to step on their nests! – and frigatebirds. Early in the breeding season, adult male frigatebirds inflate their bright red throat pouches to nearly the size of a soccer. This is followed by a longer crossing to the northern Galapagos Islands.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Wolf Island: Named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano has an altitude of 253 m above sea level and is located about 160 km northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted, but birdlife such as: Red-footed Boobies and Vampire Finches, can be observed from the boat. The current at Wolf Island is between 1 and 3 knots and you dive at a depth of about 12 to 27 meters. Wolf is one of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from. If you want to see sharks, you are in the right place. Here you can see schools of hammerhead sharks, many Galapagos sharks and occasionally whale sharks. Dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions and sea turtles are common here. The bottom is littered with hundreds of moray eels, many of which swim freely. As the water is a few degrees warmer than on the central islands, you can look out for many representatives of the underwater fauna of the Indo-Pacific. You will do 2 dives each in the morning and afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Morning – Wolf Island: Named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano has an altitude of 253 m above sea level and is located about 160 km northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted, but birdlife such as: Red-footed Boobies and Vampire Finches, can be observed from the boat. The current at Wolf Island is between 1 and 3 knots and you dive at a depth of about 12 to 27 meters. Wolf is one of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from. If you want to see sharks, you are in the right place. Shoals of hammerhead sharks, many Galapagos sharks and the occasional whale shark can be seen here. Dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions and sea turtles are common here. The bottom is littered with hundreds of moray eels, many of which swim freely. As the water is a few degrees warmer than on the central islands, you can look out for many representatives of the underwater fauna of the Indo-Pacific. On a night dive you can also watch red-lipped batfish moving along the seabed.

Afternoon – Darwin Island: A volcano with a height of 165 m above sea level, was named in honor of the naturalist Charles Darwin. It is one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and as with Wolf Island, land visits are not allowed. One of the most famous dive sites is “Darwin’s Arch”, where amazing drift diving is possible along the wall at an average depth of only 9m. Medium to strong currents and the higher water temperatures compared to the other Galapagos Islands bring many hammerhead sharks, blacktip, silky and Galapagos sharks, large schools of dolphins, large schools of skipjack and yellowfin tuna, stingrays, mobula rays and silky sharks. From June to November, it is not uncommon to encounter whale sharks several times on a single dive. The occasional tiger shark, black and blue marlins and killer whales add to the amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller creatures, you will find octopus, flounder and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Morning – Darwin Island: A volcano with a height of 165 m above sea level, was named in honor of the naturalist Charles Darwin. It is one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and as with Wolf Island, land visits are not allowed. One of the most famous dive sites is “Darwin’s Arch”, where amazing drift diving is possible along the wall at an average depth of only 9m. Medium to strong currents and the higher water temperatures compared to the other Galapagos Islands bring many hammerhead sharks, blacktip, silky and Galapagos sharks, large schools of dolphins, large schools of skipjack and yellowfin tuna, stingrays, mobula rays and silky sharks. From June to November, it is not uncommon to encounter whale sharks several times on a single dive. The occasional tiger shark, black and blue marlins and killer whales add to the amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller creatures, you will find octopus, flounder and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish.

Afternoon – Wolf Island: In the afternoon you head for Wolf Island again.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Wolf Island: You will visit Wolf Island again for three more exciting dives. A long crossing to Cousin’s Rock follows.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Morning – Cousin’s Rock: This final dive is conducted along a beautiful wall and offers great opportunities to see coral, frogfish, seahorses, scorpionfish and octopus. It is also a great dive to see large schools of barracuda and also hammerhead sharks. Sea lions will be your companions on the dive in and during the safety stops.

Afternoon – Highlands (Santa Cruz): After lunch, disembark the ship to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz on a private bus tour. Here you can see 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). During the 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 will see the Galápagos giant tortoises in the middle of the path or wandering over 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. Afterwards, you continue to the island of San Cristobal.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today you will depart to Baltra and will be transferred to the airport where you will say goodbye to the guide and the crew!

Meals: Breakfast