Hammerhead schools swirl and manta rays cruise in the Galapagos. Sea lions swim past juvenile whale sharks while turtles elegantly pass eagle rays and endemic species. This is one of the world's most revered dive destinations, and there's never a dull moment in the water. An 8-day Galapagos liveaboard diving cruise trip takes you to the archipelago's finest dive sites, including four days on Wolf and Darwin Islands. A few days on San Cristobal unveils equally enchanting seabirds and reptiles.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Quito - Overnight in a World Heritage City
Flights to the Galapagos depart early in the morning so an overnight stay in Quito is unavoidable. But this is no tedious layover. You're greeted at the airport and transferred to a hotel in a 17th-century heritage building. You're in the heart of old Quito, the first ever World Heritage site and a delightful world of ancient terraces and palaces. Spend the afternoon slowly exploring; relax at early 16th-century squares, wander through golden churches, and sip coffee or beer in the courtyards once owned by conquistadores. Quito is an elegant and gentle introduction to any vacation and more than just a stopover on route to the Galapagos.
What's Included:
Day 2
Galapagos Islands - Check Dive and First Galapagos Impressions
Day 3
Galapagos Islands - Rays and Huge Fish Schools
Day 4 - 5
Galapagos Islands - Multiple Ray and Shark Species at the Galapagos' Most Revered Dive Island
Day 6 - 7
Galapagos Islands - An Incredible Abundance of Oceanic Giants
Day 8
Galapagos Islands - Seahorses and Sea Lions
Day 9
Galapagos Islands - Luxury Along the Coast
Day 10
Galapagos Islands - Giant Tortoises and the Ancient Highlands
Day 11
Galapagos Islands - Remarkable Nesting Sites and Red-Footed Boobies at Punta Pitt
Day 12
Galapagos Islands - Coral Sand and Beaches Filled with Seabirds
Day 13
Galapagos Islands - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Discover the world-renowned dive sites of the Galapagos with an 8-day liveaboard diving cruise
- Explore the remarkable Galapagos world above the surface with four days in and around San Cristobal
- Dive beneath circling hammerhead schools and above the silhouettes of huge manta rays
- Visit iconic seabird nesting sites and watch the antics of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigates
- Cruise around the very north of the Galapagos Archipelago and dive sites that can only be accessed by liveaboard boats, including four days at the Islands of Wolf and Darwin
- Sunbathe on white sand beaches that come alive with the antics of sea lions and marine iguanas
- Enjoy up to 20 dives in the Galapagos with each dive site offering an eclectic mix of unusual characters
Detailed Description
An air of mystery floats through the Galapagos archipelago. Nothing seems quite real, whether you're watching the blue-footed dance of boobies or the juxtaposition of hammerhead schools and nudibranch. Giant tortoises grow to 550-pounds while diminutive fish clean parasites from gargantuan green sea turtles. Whole islands are painted red by volcanic history and then there are the reef walls that disappear into the abyss. These islands have evolved in isolation and the strange wildlife dances both above and beneath the water. Of the various Galapagos cruise and tours we offer, this customized itinerary takes you to the extremes of two interconnected worlds to discover. With eight days on a Galapagos liveaboard diving cruise, you'll dive to the most enigmatic and iconic of dive sites. Then four days on land allows you to bask on white beaches and hike through highlands of endemic creatures.
Three oceanic currents converge in the Galapagos, adding their respective nutrients to underwater volcanic cones and shields. This convergence zone attracts bizarre macro life, from two-centimeter high seahorses to vivid nudibranch. And it attracts the oceanic giants, including numerous shark species, various rays, and almost-impossible numbers of pelagic fish. Even after seven days it doesn't seem real, especially when junior whale sharks or sea lions suddenly join the hammerheads and mantas in the water. There's always abundance here; don't hope for a glimpsed shot of a reef shark, just drift on the current and see hundreds on a single dive. Galapagos diving is also intimate. The dive sites are devoid of other groups, and the program brings close encounters with all the famed marine life.
Choosing a liveaboard option is the best way to dive the Galapagos’ most renowned sites. These sites predominantly lie in the far north of the archipelago and are not accessible without a specialist liveaboard boat. After the western wonder of Punta Carrion, you'll cruise north to the remote islands of Darwin and Wolf, places where huge oceanic giants are a regular part of the scenery. Over these eight days, you can enjoy up to 20 dives, although note that some of these are only available to those with an advanced open water certification. Again, don't expect the odd shot of a hammerhead or manta. It's usually hard to keep count of how often they've graced a single dive. The luxurious boat provides excellent space and a good place to relax after a day's diving.
The Galapagos world doesn't just exist beneath the surface, even if you're encountering sea lions and seabirds while diving in the water. Completing the itinerary are four very relaxing days exploring the charming characters that inhabit the land. You stay at a luxury lodge on San Cristobal Island and journey to the oldest parts of the archipelago. Marvel at seabird breeding grounds and watch the mating antics of different boobies and magnificent frigates. You'll visit the highlands and stand amongst hundreds of giant tortoises as well as see coralline beaches filled with rumbustious sea lions. It becomes the perfect wildlife combination, a week of wonder beneath the surface and a few days of relaxation and weird characters above it. Even from your hotel it will be impossible to miss the dive-bombing of seabirds or the occasional dart of a land iguana. Welcome to a surreal world, one that will constantly take you by surprise over these two weeks.
Starting Price
$15,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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