Tips for your Galapagos Expedition

The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 16 - 24˚C / 60-75˚F June through November. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures will be around 20˚C / 68˚ F during the dry season June-November, with nearly constant sea breezes. Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 10 and 30 meter / 30 and 90 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7 mm wetsuit June through November with a hooded vest and gloves. Gloves and hood are strongly recommended. Your dives will be done from the pangas with an easy backward roll into the water. After you dive, your tank will be lifted back into the panga and you will board via its stern ladders. Note that both air and water temperatures vary from year to year and seasonal changes fluctuate. These parameters are for guidance only.

The vessel provides tanks, weights and weight belts for your use. We strongly recommend to bring your own dive equipment.

If you would like to rent the dive equipment in the Galapagos we can organise this for you. Please indicate on your application form what equipment you will require.

Otherwise, the following items are the diver’s responsibility:

• Certification card

• Mask *

• Snorkel *

• Fins *

• Booties *

• Buoyancy Control Device*

• Regulator w/alternate air source, submersible pressure and depth gauges*

• Dive computer *

• Wetsuit – 3 mm to 7 mm *

Additional suggested:

• Hooded vest

• Gloves*

• Dive light*

• Repair kit w/ spare parts

• Safety boey (will be provided by the ship)

• DiveAlert air horn for regulator (will be provided by the ship)

* Items Available for rent

Most of our guests bring their own complete set of dive gear. This is the ideal situation, however, due to weight limits or additional travel plans some of our guests choose to rent gear. We strongly recommend that you bring your own mask, gloves, booties, fins, hood or hooded vest and computer. A personal wetsuit is also a good idea if you have space. Diving in Galapagos can be challenging and it is important that you are comfortable.

Passports with a minimum of 6 months remaining before the expiration date are required for all arriving foreign nationals. If in doubt about visas, contact the Ecuadorian Consulate for specific requirements from your country.

For passengers arriving to Baltra the same day as sailing they must be on a flight that arrives no later than 10:30 (local time) and on the day the trip ends on a flight leaving no earlier than 12:00.

Passengers will be picked up and dropped off at the airport. The vessel takes no responsibility for additional services provided by third parties prior to or after the trip.

In case you arrive earlier you can stay in Puerto Ayora. From the airport 2 shuttles are leaving: one to Baltra port and one to the canal Itabaca/town Puerto Ayora. You will take the shuttle to the canal Itabaca. You will cross the canal with the ferry (only 1 ferry). And from there you have a bus or many taxis taking you to the town of Puerto Ayora. Most passengers arriving on the plane with you will go to Puerto Ayora (90% of the people).

If you have any questions just ask us.

 1. All divers must possess an Open Water Scuba Diver certification from an internationally recognized certification organization. Beyond that, divers should also hold either an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or complete a Deep Diver specialty course. Given that most dives in the Galapagos reach depths of 20 to 25 meters, certification for diving up to 30 meters is mandatory.

*On select extended trips, there may be an opportunity to complete your advanced course on board, subject to availability

2. All divers must be experienced divers (we recommend that you have more than 50 logged dives) and have logged at least one dive within the 6 months prior to boarding the vessel. At Darwin and Wolf, be prepared for moderate to strong underwater currents. Upon reaching the deepest point on a dive, we hold onto rocks, making it easier to observe passing hammerheads or await a whale shark, without exerting much physical effort. If we encounter currents that are stronger than usual, we'll likely engage in a drift dive, allowing the current to guide us while we enjoy the stunning underwater scenery.

3. All dives are guided by an instructor/naturalist guide.

4. All divers must carry a dive computer.

5. Decompression and solo diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 30 meters / 100 feet.

6. Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.

7. The vessel will equip all divers with a DiveAlert system, a surface marker buoy, and a Nautilus Personal Locator GPS Beacon to maximize diving safety.

8. Please note that, due to a combination of staff and equipment logistics, insurance requirements and local diving regulations, neither rebreathers nor diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) may not be used aboard.

9. Please note that flash photography on land is not permitted while taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the Galapagos National Park Directorate.

10. DIVE INSURANCE IS REQUIRED

Due to the nature of this trip and the very remote nature of the destination, all divers are required to have dive accident insurance when diving in the Galapagos, and to note the policy number on their application form. DAN as well as Aquamed are the most common.

Buying the appropriate travel and/or dive insurance before your holiday starts will make your vacation less stressful and more enjoyable. 

11. Additional: which insurance to consider:

• Health & Emergency medical costs in a foreign country
• Medical evacuation coverage
• Dive and camera gear coverage
• Travel insurance / luggage insurance

Please list on the application form any dietary needs you have. The ship is well prepared for vegetarian, vegan or other dietary requirements if noted in advance.

Aboard the boat, lunch and evening meals usually consist of salad, potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, pork and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, pancakes, toast and fresh fruit. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form.

Please note that specific brands of soft drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and that it can be very difficult for us to find low-fat or soy products, fresh fruit, fish, and other items common elsewhere. While we will do our best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk or seriously compromise your enjoyment of your holiday.

US dollars are widely accepted.

The US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador; therefore, it is not necessary to purchase currency before arriving. Most major credit cards are accepted widely when shopping ashore, however, additional fees are charged in Ecuador for the use of credit cards.

Though all meals, most beverages, transportation from and to the airport, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charged to your onboard bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), scuba instruction, rentals, nitrox, alcoholic beverages, and crew gratuities.

The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using cash or credit cards (Visa & Mastercard).

At this moment traveler’s checks and personal checks are not accepted on board, and we are unable to advance cash on credit card charges. 

ATM machines are available in Quito, Guayaquil, Puerto Ayora and San Cristobal.

Crew gratuities are not included in your package and only can paid in cash.