Galapagos Cruise - Sky Dancer - Diving

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3: San Cristobal Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts

Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, the crew of the Sky Dancer meets you at the airport to escort you to your ship. After the initial briefing, there is a mandatory check-out dive at Isla Lobos where you encounter sea lions. At sunset, circumnavigate Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. Here you see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds on the cliffs.

Day 4: Seymour Island / Bartolome Island

In the south side of Seymour Island and no deeper than 50 feet deep, the northern channel is superb. It features an enormous "field" of garden eels, stingrays, a school of spotted eagle rays, white tipped reef sharks, and thick schools of grunts, snappers & goatfish. When Dr. Silvia Earle described Galapagos as "the fishiest place in the world", she had probably dived this dive site. On Bartolome, which seems like the moon, is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up a steep slope to the summit of a once active volcano. Pause along the way to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top, gaze out across a panoramic view which includes the famous "Pinnacle Rock," an eroded tuff cone.

Day 5: Wolf Island

One of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from, Wolf will astound dive visitors. If you want to see sharks, you are at the right spot. This is a place for schooling hammerhead sharks, large aggregations of Galapagos sharks, and occasionally whale sharks. Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions and sea turtles is common. The ocean floor here is peppered with hundreds of moray eels, many of them free swimming. Being several degrees warmer than the central islands, you can look for many representatives of the Indo-Pacific underwater fauna.

Day 6: Darwin Island

Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin Island honors its reputation. It is warmer by a few degrees than the central islands. In one single dive you can find schooling hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellow fin tuna, big eye jacks, Mobula rays, and silky sharks. From June to November, whale sharks can almost be guaranteed in numbers of up to 8 different individuals in one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue marlin and killer whales adds on to this amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller stuff, you’ll find octopus, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish. Darwin Island is the biggest jewel on the Galapagos Crown.

Day 7: Wolf / Darwin

Experienced divers agree Wolf & Darwin offer some of the world's best diving. No land visits here, just some serious diving. At Darwin`s Northern Arch, the northern most point of the two Islands, schools of hammerhead sharks and groups of bottle nose dolphins often swim in clear view of divers. Divers often see whale sharks and giant manta rays. At Wolf, the pinnacle, the reef and the south islet channel offer three different dive sites. The reef, the most consistent place to see hammerhead sharks, contains many warm water fish species found nowhere else in the islands.

Day 8: Cape Marshall/ Puerto Egas, Santiago

At Cape Marshall, on the eastern side of Isabela island, you encounter rocky volcanic cliffs, that drops down to the ocean floor as an almost vertical wall. You might see large animals like manta rays, marbled rays, hammerhead sharks mola mola (sun fish) and marine turtles, but also Chevron barracuda, snappers, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, wahoo and groupers. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrot fishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific box fishes and tiger snake eels. This afternoon, disembark for a land visit along the shore at Puerto Egas, Santiago (James) looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Your walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you encounter fur sea lions once on the verge of extinction. During the night dive at a depth of no more than 30 feet you may find the red-lipped bat fish.

Day 9: Gordon’s Rocks/ Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Gordon Rocks, off South Plaza Island, an advanced dive, is famous for white-tipped, hammerhead and the Galapagos shark, large moray eels, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, sting rays, fur sea lions, sea turtles, Amberjacks, reef fish, sponges and black coral. Dive with Wahoo, tuna, sailfish and other big pelagic fish. Divers consider the wall at Gordon Rocks one of the best dive sites in the Central Islands. The current is strong and the maximum depth is 100 feet. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on the Island of Santa Cruz. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. Observe year-old tortoises and learn about the captive-breeding program. Stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population: 15,000), the largest town in the Galapagos. Buy souvenirs, mail postcards and absorb local charm in the social heart of the Islands.

Day 10: Interpretation Center / San Cristobal Island - Cruise Only Ends

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel This morning, visit the Interpretation Center to learn more about the natural and human history of the Islands. After your visit, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Quito. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Trip Details

Ship	Sky Dancer
Highlights	One of best equipped and operated dive vessels in Galapagos. Darwin and Wolfe are featured for hammer heads and whale sharks.
Trip Notes	This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible for itinerary changes. Included (Cruise Only): Accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; beverages, including national brands of alcohol; snacks; all shore activities and excursions; service of naturalist guides/dive masters; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; use of snorkeling gear, wet suits, and kayaks, first come first serve basis (one double, one single); up to four dives per day on 5.5 days for 7-night cruise; diving equipment (filled tanks, weights, weight belt, dive alerts and safety sausages); dive deck assistance and fresh water rinses; all Peter Hughes amenities including terrycloth bathrobes, fresh hot towels after every dive and morning beverage service; Not Included (Cruise Only): Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; gratuities are left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; hyperbaric chamber fee ($35 per person); Nitrox course or fills; dive gear equipment rentals; underwater photo course or camera equipment; fuel surcharge ($160 per person / trip). Included (Package): Three hotel nights in Quito in either a Deluxe Hotel, or Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $150 per person (hotel based on availability); four transfers in Quito; adult Galapagos National Park tax, USD$100 (Children under 12 subtract $50); Accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; beverages, including national brands of alcohol; snacks; all shore activities and excursions; service of naturalist guides/dive masters; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; use of snorkeling gear, wet suits, and kayaks, first come first serve basis (one double, one single); up to four dives per day on 5.5 days for 7-night cruise; diving equipment (filled tanks, weights, weight belt, dive alerts and safety sausages); dive deck assistance and fresh water rinses; all Peter Hughes amenities including terrycloth bathrobes, fresh hot towels after every dive and morning beverage service. Not Included (Package): International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; gratuities are left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; hyperbaric chamber fee ($35 per person); Nitrox course or fills; dive gear equipment rentals; underwater photo course or camera equipment; fuel surcharge ($160 per person / trip). If you are booking a cruise only program, we are happy to add hotels, air and land arrangements as requested, and you will be quoted for services. We recommend that you plan your trip between mid October and mid July due to the climatic conditions. From November to June, the water temperature averages 75 degrees Fahrenheit with February to April the warmest time. Water temperature from July to October averages 70 degrees Fahrenheit and can fall below 70 degrees in August and September. The ship will supply a Galapagos naturalist guide who is also a certified dive master an instructor to lead dive groups. The guide is a qualified diver with essential knowledge of specific diving locations and their respective interest and dangers. Divers must bring all their own dive equipment, including the following: Mask, fins and snorkel Regulator and gauges (depth and pressure) Buoyancy compensator vest Wet suit (1/4") thick neoprene is recommended, hood and gloves Flashlight (for night dives) Open water diving certification Medical certificate showing one is fit for diving Misc. equipment of choice such as, underwater camera or video camera, dive computer Divers are required to sign an indemnity from stating that the operator of the dive boat is not responsible for any failure in the equipment, which the divers use. To dive Galapagos, one must be an experienced diver with adequate skills. Galapagos is not suitable for novice or infrequent divers due to strong current, sea (well), surges, cool waters, upwelling, poor visibility (at times), and large animals including the harmless Galapagos shark. Divers must have excellent buoyancy control and be totally self-sufficient to handle all gear. We recommend Advance Certification + 40 dives. Due to the remoteness of the islands, there are no facilities for hyper panic treatment of diving injuries. Therefore, there will be no decompression dives. Airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands: The flights between mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) and the Galapagos Islands are an additional cost. For your cruise security, ExpeditionTrips must reserve these flights for you at the time of cruise booking. Approximate cost (including service fee): $400 – $450 per adult; $225-$275 per child under 12 (copy of passport required).
Departure Notes	Cruise Only - Starts Sundays (8 days) Package - Starts Fridays (11 days) Ship in Dry Dock: Mar 22 - Apr 26, 2009
Payment Policy	2008 Policy:A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation. For single cabins, a deposit of $700.00 is required. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment Methods Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover); Final payment: check or wire. WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.2009 Policy:A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation. For single cabins, a deposit of $1,000 is required (and $2,000 for singles on Holiday weeks). Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment Methods Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover); Final payment: check or wire. WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

Browse Similar Trips

• Galapagos Adventure - 7 Days
• Voyage Galapagos
• Voyage Galapagos - Comfort Class

• Inca Magic
• Beaches, Falls and Glaciers
• Pure Patagonia

• Great South American Journey - Above the Equator - Quito to Caracas
• Galapagos Isabela Island- Extension
• Great South American Journey - Above the Equator - Caracas to Quito

• Otavalo & Cayambe
• South America Encompassed
• Inca Panorama and Galapagos

• Home
• International Airfare
• Hotels
• Hostels
• Community
• RTW Guide
• Travel Blogs
• Adventure Trips
• Travel Gear
• Travel Insurance
• Eurail