Luxury Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos

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 Certified. This trip is not a training or certification course.

How many dives do I need to have completed?

Divers joining this trip should have already completed at least 50 dives.

What is the luxury yacht like?

Here is more information about the luxury yacht, the Galaxy Diver II, in addition to the description below the image gallery.

• Lounge: Located on the main deck at the back of the boat, for your entertainment on board, the lounge has a TV, DVD player, small library, and toy library. The windows give a beautiful light and a very appreciable view of the sea.
• Restaurant: Located on the main deck, where you can enjoy delicious and varied cuisine of national and international dishes, served as a menu and buffet. The options for vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerant or others are to be informed before booking. It also has a purified water station and hot drinks available 24 hours a day.
• Bar: Located on the main deck, next to the lounge is the bar, where you can enjoy different options of cocktails, national and international drinks, and local exotic juices.
• Solarium: The ideal place to rest and relax in the armchairs or in the spectacular Jacuzzi, enjoying an incredible 360° view.
• Dive Platform: Our ample platform offers the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the stunning marine life below. Equipped with all the necessary safety gear and led by experienced guides, you´ll have the opportunity to explore the depths like never before.
• Cabins: There are eight beautifully appointed cabins, each designed to provide comfort, privacy, and stunning views of the Galapagos. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or as a family, you’ll find the perfect space to relax and unwind after a day of diving.

What are the cabins like?

Upper deck: 4 cabins (twin/double)

Four twin cabins on the upper deck can be converted into double beds, making them ideal for couples or friends. These very spacious cabins are equipped with large windows, filling the room with natural light and offering spectacular views of the ocean. 

Each cabin includes a private bathroom with a shower, hot/cold water, a hair dryer, and a towel dryer. Ecological hospitality products like soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided for a luxurious and environmentally friendly stay.

Main deck: 2 cabins (twin/double) & 1 cabin (double)

On the main deck, there are two twin cabins that can be converted into double beds, offering flexibility for couples or friends. These cabins feature large windows, providing ample natural light and stunning ocean views. They also offer direct access to the lounge and dining area, which are conveniently located on the same deck.

Each cabin includes a private bathroom with a shower, hot/cold water, a hair dryer, and a towel dryer. Ecological hospitality products like soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided for a luxurious and environmentally friendly stay.

On the main deck, you’ll also find our spacious double-bed cabin, located at the forward of the ship. This cabin features a matrimonial bed, a generous layout, and large windows that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding seascape.

Each cabin includes a private bathroom with a shower, hot/cold water, a hair dryer, and a towel dryer. Ecological hospitality products like soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided for a luxurious and environmentally friendly stay.

Lower deck: 1 cabin (twin/double)

The lower deck offers a cozy twin cabin that can be converted into a matrimonial bed, making it ideal for families, friends, or couples seeking a comfortable retreat. While the cabin does not have a window, it still provides all the essential comforts of home.

Each cabin includes a private bathroom with a shower, hot/cold water, a hair dryer, and a towel dryer. Ecological hospitality products like soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided for a luxurious and environmentally friendly stay.

What is the cuisine like?

Indulge in an unforgettable culinary experience aboard the Galaxy Diver II, where our gourmet chef combines vibrant local flavors with international cuisine. Each meal showcases the finest Galapagos ingredients, offering a colorful and flavorful dining experience. Enjoy a perfect drink from our bar, featuring local and international wines, crafted to complement your meals. We also cater to vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary preferences—ensuring every meal is as special as your journey.

How do divers participate in the research?

These programs offer divers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to marine conservation efforts while diving in the Galápagos.

Here are the key research and data collection programs that divers participate in:

1. Whale Shark Photo ID: Divers help identify individual whale sharks by taking photos of their unique spot patterns, which are used to track their movements and gather data on their population. This is critical for understanding their migration patterns and overall behavior.
2. Manta Photo ID: Similar to whale sharks, mantas have unique markings on their bodies. By taking photos, we help build a database to study manta populations and their behaviors.
3. Sea Turtle Photo ID: Divers contribute to monitoring the population of sea turtles in the Galápagos by taking photos of their face pattern, which are unique to each turtle. This helps track turtle movements and understand their interaction with their environment.
4. Mola Photo ID: Divers collect data on ocean sunfish (Mola Mola), which are large, elusive, and often misunderstood creatures. Photo identification is crucial for understanding their distribution and behaviors in the region.
5. Shark Count App: This is an exciting and highly impactful program where divers use a mobile app to log sightings of sharks, rays, turtles, and even mola molas. This data contributes to conservation efforts by providing detailed population counts and species distribution, helping researchers understand the health of marine ecosystems and the threats posed to these species.

Additionally, we also support:

• Environmental Health Monitoring: Divers assist in monitoring the health of coral reefs and other critical habitats in the Galápagos, providing data that helps track changes in marine biodiversity and the impacts of human activity.
• Marine Debris Surveys: Our divers document and report marine debris, which contributes to clean-up efforts and helps inform policy decisions related to ocean pollution.
• Whale Photo ID: if we see whale we also will try to identify whales and try to understand their migration pattern internationally. 

Our Citizen Science programs play a crucial role in preserving the Galápagos marine environment, and we believe divers will enjoy the opportunity to directly contribute to these essential research efforts.

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!
• Every trip includes a shark researcher on board, which allows guests to ask questions, learn more about the research being conducted, and engage in the conservation process during their trip.
• Daily presentations related to the Galapagos Islands & the 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.