Duration
Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos
From $4,095 pp
Departure Date
Sep 18, 2024
Trip Style
Small Group
Country
The Galapagos Islands
Physical Rating
Mildly Strenuous
Overview
Spend 8 days on a small, liveaboard yacht scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands alongside marine biologists on this sustainable citizen science adventure!
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful locations on earth, and your dive trip here supports the Galapagos Whale Shark Project (which was featured in the BBC Blue Planet II series).
Marine biologists and divemasters will be on board to provide a life-changing experience, assistance, and educational guidance on endangered marine wildlife conservation as you explore these renowned scuba diving spots.
You will do 2-4 dives a day on this trip, for a total of 19-20 dives. There’s also the opportunity for a night dive.
For every diver, the organization donates to the research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project. This team is studying the unique population of adult whale sharks in the Galapagos. Each scientist will provide you with extensive knowledge about whale sharks and will teach you at the same time how you as a diver can support the conservation of marine wildlife such as whale sharks, giant manta rays, sea turtles, other shark species, rays, molas, whales and other endangered animals – in the Galapagos and worldwide. You can also expect to learn about underwater photography while onboard (please note: you need to bring your own camera) and be taught about photography using what you have.
Highlights
- ~20 dives overall
- Night dive opportunity
- Cape Marshall
- City of Mantas
- Darwin’s Arch
- Wolf Island
- Punta Vicente Roca
- Cape Douglas
- Cousin’s Rock
- Highlands with giant tortoises (land excursion)
On this trip, you’ll spend very little time on land. The majority of the experience is on the yacht and underwater. You’ll visit islands that not all boats visit, including sites that primarily attract divers.
The yacht for your Galapagos eco dive liveaboard provides a unique and unforgettable experience, with the best service and diving that you could hope for. The boat has nine cabins with private bathrooms, air conditioning, electricity, and all that you may need to make your stay comfortable. Three meals a day are included, as well as ‘pre-breakfast’ and snacks between dives.
Please note: The famous Darwin's Arch rock formation collapsed in 2021 due to erosion; it now resembles two pillars instead of an arch and is being referred to as the “Pillars of Evolution.”
What is it Really Like?
Check out our blog post on Sustainable Scuba Diving in the Galapagos Islands for an even deeper look into what to expect.
Seasonal Notes
Every year, only a few shark conservation dive departures are offered. These align with the best shark diving season and the best months to dive in the islands of the Galapagos (July – October).
Departure Dates
- Sep 18, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024
- Jul 22, 2025 - Jul 29, 2025
- Aug 12, 2025 - Aug 19, 2025
Group size: Max 15
Frequently sells out!
- Sep 18th, 2024 departure: SOLD OUT! Contact us to join waitlist.
Itinerary
Day 1 Baltra Island [Galapagos Islands, Ecuador] (arrival day)
Day 2 Cape Marshall / City of Mantas
Day 3 Darwin’s Arch
Day 4 Darwin’s Arch & Wolf Island
Day 5 Wolf Island
Day 6 Punta Vicente Roca
Day 7 Cousin's Rock
Day 8 Baltra Airport (departure day, or continue with land extension)
Route Map
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.prismic.io%2Fyugen-earthside%2Fee5226c0-30d2-4ccd-aa88-2633371b1055_Map%2BGalapagos%2B.jpg%3Fauto%3Dcompress%2Cformat%26rect%3D0%2C0%2C718%2C487%26w%3D770%26h%3D522&w=3840&q=75)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Liveaboard yacht accommodation for 7 nights/8 days
Pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals
Snacks in-between dives
Coffee, tea, purified water
Transfers to/from the airport within the Galapagos Islands
3 Dive Masters total
Accompaniment by the research project team
Photography instruction & practical advice
2-4 dives per day
Technical equipment: tanks, weights, weight belt.
SCUBA tuba SMB
A variety of lectures about the Galapagos Islands and the Galapagos Whale Shark Project
Translation in Spanish, German, and French
Waived Fuel Surcharge ($150 per person; other vessels still charge this amount)
Internet access on board
Donation for the whale shark research project
Learn how to support shark conservation
Flights to/from the Galapagos Islands
Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks
Galapagos National Park tax ($100 pp, cash only) - payable upon arrival at Galapagos Airport
Transit Control Card ($20 pp, cash only) - payable in cash at Quito or Guayaquil Airport of departure for the Galapagos
Personal equipment: Wetsuit, BCD (Buoyancy control device/jacket), regulator, booties, fins, mask, dive computer, gloves, hoods, dive light
Camera
Nitrox ($150/week)
Dive Accident/MedEvac Insurance
Personal expenses
Onboard gratuities, (always optional)
Pricing
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.
Deposit per person
30% of trip price
Shared Room - sleeps 2 - price per person
SPECIAL PRICE: July 16th, 2024 departure: $4,995. PLUS use code: 900OFF for $900 off! Standard Cabin: $5,895 for 2024 Standard Cabin: $5,995 for 2025
Shared Room - sleeps 2 - price per person
Master Cabin: $6,095 for 2024 Master Cabin: $6,195 for 2025
Optional Add-ons
Prices of rental gear add-ons are listed on the Booking page.
Sustainability
We not only care about our travelers, but we also care about the local communities and the environment. When you book a tour with us, you become an active collaborator of the local and international foundations we work with in order to do our part. Whether it is educating children on the coast of Ecuador, or helping out with conservation projects in the Galapagos, we care.
Environmental Initiatives
This trip takes travelers off the beaten path and avoids tourist "hot spots". The boats in this trip use water flow reducers.
Clients travel with scientists to collect data that furthers our understanding of whale sharks and other marine wildlife. This helps us promote conservation through education and awareness. We specifically discuss with travelers how to act responsibly in this destination, and why that's important.
Economic Initiatives
The crew of the boat is all local people who are paid fair wages.
We support other local and international projects that provide jobs and assistance to local communities.
Sociocultural Initiatives
Travelers and locals will exchange knowledge with locals, have an opportunity to learn from one another, and gain a new perspective on their own environment.
We focus on serving locally-grown foods and locally-bought meat.
Health & Safety
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
FAQs
What does the Physical Rating of "Mildly Strenuous" mean?
Travelers should be certified, open-water divers, fit, and prepared for 2 dives a day.
Do I need to be dive certified already?
Yes! This trip requires that all divers be Open Water Plus Deep Diving or Advanced Open Water. This trip is not a training or certification course.
What are the accommodations like?
You will be staying on a small, liveaboard yacht on a 'Tourist Superior Cruise.' The ship has nine cabins with private bathrooms, air conditioning, electricity, and all that you may need to make your stay comfortable. The master cabin on the main deck and cabins on the upper deck have windows that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset of the Galapagos Islands. The lower cabins have portholes with an ocean view and natural light.
Is this trip recommended for solo travelers, women, LGBTQ+, and POC travelers?
Solo travelers always share with the same gender. We offer single cabins but with a single supplement surcharge. The project is led by a female scientist who of course will do everything to make women and travelers of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe and welcome.
Why dive in Galapagos?
Once you dive Galapagos your life and diving will NEVER be the same! Galapagos offers a unique variation on wildlife that you only can find here! In Galapagos, you can actually DIVE with the mightiest of all sharks… the Whale Shark! Galapagos is the only place in the world where 99.8% of the whale sharks are truly HUGE adult females swimming up to 15 meters / 45+ feet in length! Nearly all of them seem to be pregnant as they have massively extended abdomens. Galapagos might be THE place where whale sharks give birth - which is one of the reasons that scientists from all over the world come to Galapagos to study this UNIQUE population.
Why dive with us?
- Because YOU support the research of 'Galapagos Whale Shark Project' directly & and help us find more ways to protect these gentle giants!
- Daily presentations related to Galapagos Islands & Galapagos Whale Shark Project.
- Small group - maximum of 15 passengers 4 divemasters - 1 divemaster per 4 divers.
- Dive with the Whale Shark experts and underwater photographers: Jonathan R. Green, Simon J Pierce, Sofia Green, and Jenny Waack.
- Get details about the research project in Galapagos and behind-the-scenes insights of the filming of 'BBC Blue Planet II' directly from the project leader, Jonathan.
- Become a Shark Ambassador - Learn how to provide data to actively support Whale Shark Research. You can get engaged with shark conservation now and make a difference wherever you go diving worldwide.
- We always travel responsibly! On our Eco Dive Tour, we will pay attention to how to travel economically responsibly and behave respectfully to wildlife. Photography instruction and practical advice about photography on land and underwater will be provided directly on board by the underwater photographers.
- We offer translation onboard in English, German, Spanish, and French.
What's the Dive Master ratio?
1 Dive Master per group of 4-5 divers.
Reviews
Jeremy R.
Citizen Science Scuba Dive in the Galapagos Islands
Such a fantastic trip! I got to see a 35 ft whale shark, schools of 100s of hammerheads, sea lions, etc. It was outstanding!
Hilary was such a help finding an amazing travel experience. She helped me find an amazing scuba trip to the Galapagos and explained some of the impacts as well as ways to be a thoughtful steward. I will definitely work with her again. I recommend Yugen Earthside with all my heart!