Liveaboard Tiburon Explorer – Western Archipelago
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Liveaboard Tiburon Explorer on the Galapagos Islands
Best travel time for diving in the Galapagos Islands
January to May is the “warm” season on the Galapagos, characterized by calm oceans and favorable diving conditions, ideal for beginners and diving with manta rays. Water temperatures range from 24-28°C, with daily air temperatures of 25-28°C and variable weather. During this period, water productivity is low, making large animals such as whale sharks less common. Hammerhead sharks do tend to still be there in large numbers.
June to November is the “cold” season, influenced by the Humboldt Current, with colder waters (19-23°C) and more marine megafauna, such as whale sharks and hammerhead sharks. Daily air temperatures range from 21-24°C, with often gray skies and fog.
➤ Due to the sometimes very strong currents, only experienced divers are allowed on this liveaboard. You must hold Advanced Certification and have a minimum of 50 (preferably 100) logged dives. A nitrox certificate is highly recommended so you can do all the dives at Darwin & Wolf. In the past 6 months, prior to the liveaboard, you must have at least 1 logged dive.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving Galapagos Islands
We recommend a 7mm wetsuit + cap & gloves.
What will you experience on this diving holiday?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | Travel to Ecuador
Today your adventure begins with a flight from Europe to Quito or Guayaquil. Several efficient routes are available, often with a short transfer. At EWDR, we are happy to book the best option, but you can also book your flight yourself. Total travel time is between 11 and 15 hours. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and taken to a comfortable hotel near the airport, where you can relax and recover from the long journey. This is the beginning of an unforgettable diving vacation in the Galapagos Islands. After a good night’s sleep and breakfast at the hotel, you are ready for the next part of your adventure.
Nb. The liveaboard always starts on a Saturday, so usually you will start your trip to Ecuador on Thursday/Friday.
Day 3 | Arrival at Baltra
On Saturday you will fly from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands, to Baltra, arriving in the late morning. The dive guides will meet you at the airport between 11:00 and 12:00 and escort you to the Tiburon Explorer. After boarding, you will enjoy lunch, prep your dive gear and receive a safety briefing. Today you won’t be diving yet, so you can settle into your cabin at leisure and get acquainted with fellow travelers.
Day 4 | North Seymour and Departure to Wolf Island
The day starts early with a comprehensive equipment check to make sure all your dive gear is ready to go. Then you will make two dives, at 7:00 and 10:00. During these dives you can see impressive rays and schools of fish, a fantastic start to your diving trip.
In the afternoon, a land excursion to North Seymour Island is scheduled. Here you walk on trails past large colonies of Blue-footed Terns and Frigatebirds. Sea lions and marine iguanas are also frequently seen here. This excursion offers a unique opportunity to experience the diverse nature of the Galapagos up close.
After this adventurous day, the Tiburon Explorer departs for a long crossing (about 14 hours) to Wolf Island, one of the Galapagos’ most iconic dive sites.
Day 5 | Wolf Island
Today is dedicated to the spectacular dive sites of Wolf Island. You start the day with a dive at 10:30 a.m., followed by dives at 2 and 4:30 p.m. These places are known for their abundance of marine life. You have a great chance of seeing hammerhead sharks,eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Possibly also a whale shark, but in the right season that chance is greater at Darwin. For the truly adventurous, a possible night dive is also planned, where you can observe the nocturnal activities of these impressive sea creatures. Wolf Island offers some of the most memorable diving in the Galapagos.
Day 6 | Darwin Island
Today you will dive at Darwin Island, a world-renowned dive site that offers a different but equally spectacular experience as Wolf Island. The day starts early with a dive at 6:30 a.m., followed by dives at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The most famous dive site here is “Darwin’s Towers” (formerly “Darwin’s Arch“), where you can often see large schools of hammerhead sharks, similar to Wolf. However, Darwin is also famous for frequent sightings of whale sharks, especially during their migration season. Other common species include eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.
The diversity and visibility of marine life here are exceptionally high. Moreover, the underwater structure at Darwin is very impressive, adding an extra dimension to the diving experience. Darwin Island will certainly be a highlight of your diving trip, with its unique combination of rich biodiversity and beautiful underwater landscapes.
Day 7 | Return to Wolf Island
Today you return to the adventure dive sites of Wolf Island with dives at 6:30, 10:30, 14:00 and 16:30. Here you can again see large schools of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. The playful sea lions also make these dives extra special, often swimming and frolicking around you. The strong currents and rich marine life make every dive exciting. After these dives, the 12-hour crossing to Cabo Douglas begins.
Day 8 | Cabo Douglas & Punta Vicente Roca
On Thursday, dive at Cabo Douglas on the west coast of Isabela Island. Before you start your dive, you can see cormorants, penguins and marine iguanas, unique species found only in this archipelago.
During the dive, you will see the marine iguanas ‘ powerful swimming skills while the larger males forage on the rocks deeper below the water’s surface. Other species you may encounter are the red-lipped batfish and Mola Mola. Sometimes you can even see baleen whales gliding through the water. After these special dives, the Tiburon Explorer sails on to Punta Vicente Roca.
Punta Vicente Roca is a great place to see the famous Mola Mola or “moonfish.” This site has a long, sloping underwater wall that extends to a depth of 28 meters. The shallower areas are rich in marine life, where you also often see penguins frolicking gracefully around divers. Playful sea lions also often swim with snorkelers and divers here.
Day 9 | Diving at Cousins Rock and Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion
The day begins with dives at Cousins Rock at 6:30 and 9:30 am. This location is ideal for macro diving, with excellent opportunities to see seahorses, sea lions and eagle rays. During lunch, the Tiburon Explorer sails to Santa Cruz, an approximately three-hour crossing.
Upon arrival, travel by bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands, where you can admire the giant land turtles in their natural habitat. You will then proceed to the town of Puerto Ayora, where you will dine on your own. At 8:30 p.m. return to the Tiburon Explorer for a well-deserved rest.
Day 10 to 12 | Return home
Alas, it is already over. The crew of the Tiburon Explorer will take you to the Baltra airport on day 10. From here you will fly back to Quito or Guayaquil. Depending on your flight schedule, you may fly home the same day and arrive on day 11. If the connecting flight does not leave immediately, stay overnight in Quito or Guayaquil and fly the next day, arriving home on day 12.
Want to extend your adventure? Then consider staying in the Amazon, as described in this trip, for an extra special experience.
The liveaboard
The ship and cabins
M/V Tiburon Explorer
The new, elegant and spacious M/V Tiburon Explorer is a liveaboard dive yacht that accommodates 16 passengers in 9 air-conditioned cabins spread across the main and lower decks. All cabins have private bathrooms and sea views.
The Tiburon Explorer’s spacious dive deck has a bathroom, a large camera table with charging station, individual storage areas and sinks for cameras and dive gear. Diving activities are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), which are easily accessed from the dive deck.
On the sun deck you will find a large lounge area, a bar and a partially covered sun deck with a Jacuzzi and plenty of seating.
The main deck features six cabins. The dining area, lounge, bar and large dive deck are also located on the main deck. The lower deck includes three suites.
Wi-Fi is available via satellite connection (free).
Explorer Ventures
Learn more about boat organization
Explorer Ventures is a leading liveaboard dive travel company that has been around for nearly four decades. With a fleet of ten ships, they offer unique and varied itineraries to eight destinations worldwide. What sets this organization apart is their commitment to treating guests like family, their comfortable and well-equipped boats, and their carefully crafted itineraries.
A key aspect that places Explorer Ventures at the top of the liveaboard industry is their commitment to sustainability. Under the“Dive Green” initiative, they have pioneered the promotion of environmentally friendly practices in the diving industry. They were the first liveaboard organization to be accredited in 2018 as a “symbiotic partner” with Green Fins, a joint initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Reef-World Foundation. Their Galapagos fleet was also recently designated as the first and only PADI Eco Centers in the Galapagos Islands.
At EWDR, we also offer the Humboldt Explorer from Explorer Ventures on the Galapagos. Other destinations we offer are the Caribbean Explorer (St. Maarten/Saba/St.Kitts) , the Turks & Caicos Explorer and the Black Pearl in Palau.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation to the Galapagos Islands is available from €6739 per person based on two people in one lower or main deck Stateroom. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to the Galapagos? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from €6739,- p.p.
- 7 nights in a Stateroom
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Coffee, tea, local non-alcoholic, alcoholic beverages and snacks
- Return transfers Baltra Airport
- Dive package consisting of approximately 18-20 dives
- WiFi, if there is coverage
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Quito or Guayaquil
- Return flight Baltra
- National Park Fee
- Chamber Support Fee
- TCT Card (Tourist Tax)
- Fuel Surcharge
- Airport hotel(s) Quito/Guayaquil
- Dive insurance (mandatory!)
- +/- €1100,- p.p.
- +/- €350,- p.p.
- $200.00 p.p.
- $35.00 p.p.
- $20.00 p.p.
- $150.00 p.p.
- +/- €100,- p.p.
Optional
- Nitrox
- 15L Tank
- Diving equipment, including computer
- DIN/Yoke Adapter
- Tips
- $150.00 p.p.
- $130.00 p.p.
- $350.00 p.p.
- $25.00 p.p.
Email this diving holiday
Want to save or share the details of this diving trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
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Frequently asked questions about diving on the Tiburon Explorer
Dgeneral dive information
Boat dives. There is regular current, then you make drift dives or current dives with a reef hook.
At Explorer Ventures, you can make up to 4 dives per day.
Weather conditions permitting, you will make a night dive on Day 5.
Yes, several courses are available on board.
Diving equipment
Most tanks are INT, there are also some DIN tanks. You can possibly rent an adapter for the week for $25.
Yes, these cost $130 per week
Yes, this costs $150 per week
Full diving equipment, including a computer costs $350 per week.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Yes indeed, including sea lions! But the trip is very diver-oriented, you won’t be able to snorkel at every dive site, partly because of the currents.
On Day 4 you will go to North Seymour and on Day 10 to Santa Cruz. See the daily description for more information.
Liveaboard
Yes, there is a satellite WiFi connection and it is free.
Yes, normally you share the cabin. The cabin can also be booked as a single, an 80% surcharge applies.
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