EcuadorSixteen divers, two tenders, two guides and a hull built low and heavy so the crossing to Wolf and Darwin is less punishing than it could be.
All destinations · Eastern Pacific
Darwin and Wolf. Hammerhead schools that block out the light.
The only reason to pay Galápagos prices is Darwin and Wolf, and they deliver: scalloped hammerheads in the hundreds, whale sharks from June to November, Galápagos sharks, and a permanent sense that something larger is behind you. It is not pretty diving. It is cold, surgy, blue-water diving where you hold a rock and watch. Liveaboard is the only legal way to dive the northern islands.
Highlighted months are when the diving is worth the airfare. Outside them, boats either do not sail or the conditions stop justifying the trip.
Park fees and Ecuadorian taxes are significant and usually paid in cash on arrival. Water can hit 18 °C — bring a 7 mm and a hood.
Sailing dates
| Dates | Boat | Itinerary | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 – 12 Oct 20267 nights | Galapagos MasterMaster Liveaboards | Master the GalapagosEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 6 – 13 Oct 20267 nights | AquaOniric Safari Cruises | Itinerary A - Diving TripEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 7 – 11 Oct 20264 nights | TributeOniric Safari Cruises | Enchanted Escape: Route AEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 11 – 15 Oct 20264 nights | TributeOniric Safari Cruises | Wildlife Discovery: Route BEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 12 – 19 Oct 20267 nights | Galapagos MasterMaster Liveaboards | Master the GalapagosEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 13 – 20 Oct 20267 nights | AquaOniric Safari Cruises | Itinerary A - Diving TripEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 15 – 21 Oct 20266 nights | TributeOniric Safari Cruises | Darwin’s Odyssey: Route CEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 19 – 26 Oct 20267 nights | Galapagos MasterMaster Liveaboards | Master the GalapagosEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 20 – 27 Oct 20267 nights | AquaOniric Safari Cruises | Itinerary A - Diving TripEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 21 – 25 Oct 20264 nights | TributeOniric Safari Cruises | Enchanted Escape: Route AEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 25 – 29 Oct 20264 nights | TributeOniric Safari Cruises | Wildlife Discovery: Route BEcuador | Members see the price | |
| 26 Oct – 2 Nov 20267 nights | Galapagos MasterMaster Liveaboards | Master the GalapagosEcuador | Members see the price |
The fleet
EcuadorSixteen divers, two tenders, two guides and a hull built low and heavy so the crossing to Wolf and Darwin is less punishing than it could be.
EcuadorGalapagos Citizen Science Expedition is operated by Galapagos Shark Diving, carrying 18 guests in Ecuador.
Galapagos Luxury Conservation Expedition is operated by Galapagos Shark Diving, carrying 18 guests in Ecuador.
EcuadorThe other Oniric boat in the Galápagos, and the one to book if Tribute is out of budget: 25 metres, nine cabins, twenty guests, originally 1998 and refitted in 2023.
EcuadorThe luxury option in the Galápagos: eight suites on a 42-metre steel hull, an outdoor jacuzzi, and indoor and outdoor dining that would not be out of place on a private yacht.