Galapagos Island Diving Cruise (B)

Day 1: San Cristobal: Lobos Island

Arrive in the morning at San Cristobal Airport and transfer to the boat. Head to Lobos Island, named for the mass amounts of sea lions that inhabit the area. Often used as a check-out dive site, Lobos Island is a stunning dive filled with starfish, rays, various fish, turtles, eagle rays and marine iguanas. The sea lions here welcome you to Galapagos with friendly underwater games of hide and seek, tag, and “pull the fin!”

Day 2: Marchena Island: Espejo Point & Mejia Point

There are no land visits to Marchena Island, as there was recent volcanic activity on the island in 1992. The island exhibits pristine flora and fauna since it has never been inhabited by humans, and is infamous for the mysterious discovery of the mummified remains of two bodies on the beach. Dive and snorkel at Espejo Point in the morning or Mejia Point in the evening to view reef fish and sea turtles.

Day 3: Wolf Island: La Ventana Islet, La Banana, Shark Bay Point & El Derrumbe

Wolf Island is located in the extreme northern part of the archipelago. In the morning you will visit La Ventana Islet and La Banana, and in the afternoon Shark Bay Point and El Derrumbe. There are no land visits to these islands; it is only visited by dive ships. This is a dive site only for experienced divers. The surge is heavy, currents can be quite strong, and visibility is often limited. Some very impressive and large animals such as whale sharks, hammerheads and dolphins are spotted here.

Day 4: Darwin Island: Darwin's Arch & El Arenal

Begin the day by diving at Darwin's Arch, the most famous dive site in the Galapagos Islands and recognized as one of the best dive sites in the world. It consists of an impressive 15 M lava arch and is home to whale sharks, schools of hammerheads and dolphins. Accessible only by dive liveaboards, Darwin Island is an underwater Disneyland.

In the afternoon head to El Arenal to see a variety of sea life such as whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, dolphins pods, killer whales and tiger sharks. Return to Darwin's Arch later in the afternoon.

Day 5: Darwin Island & Wolf Island

The morning is dedicated to diving at Darwin's Arch and El Arenal. In the afternoon, head back to La Banana, Shark Bay Point and Anchor Bay on Wolf Island.

Day 6: Fernandina Island & Isabela Island

Arrive at Fernandina in the morning and witness fur sea lions, Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas and penguins. This destination requires 40 logged dives to participate.

In the months of January - May, visit Cape Marshall at Isabela Island in the afternoon. Not only is the topography of this site distinct and fascinating, featuring a near-vertical wall of volcanic rock that plummets to the bottom of the sea, so is the marine life. Along with sea turtles and sea lions, chevron barracuda, yellow fin tuna, marbled rays, mobula rays, snappers also inhabit these waters.

From June - December visit Vicente Roca Point at Isabela Island in the afternoon. This dive site is home to octopi, sea horses, red-lipped batfish, frogfish, and nudibranchs. The mola mola, or sun fish has been spotted here as well. Also keep your eyes peeled for the endemic camotillo and the occasional Port Jackson shark!

Day 7: Santiago Island & Santa Cruz Island

Just one of the many islets that help form the archipelago, this dive has a great deal to offer the advanced diver. With sloping rock plate formations and a wall that drops farther than the eye can see, divers will come across hidden sea horses and octopi, Galapagos black coral, frogfish, and hammerheads and Galapagos sharks. The diver must have a minimum of 30 logged dives.

In the afternoon head to Santa Cruz Island and visit the El Chato Tortoise Reserve. The walking trail begins at Santa Rosa, 22 km from Puerto Ayora, with the Caseta route being the more challenging. The reserve allows visitors to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season and is also a good place to spot short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails and paint-billed crakes. Later, continue to the Charles Darwin Station, home to turtles ranging from 3-inches to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Day 8: San Cristobal Island

Transfer to San Cristobal Airport in the morning for departure.

• All meals and excursions
• Transfers in the islands
• Bilingual National Park Guide
• Use of snorkelling equipment/Wetsuit

• Roundtrip Airfare to / from Galapagos
• Alcoholic drinks
• $100 Galapagos National Park fee
• $20 Transit Control Card
• Nitrox ($150)
• Dive equipment
• Travel / medical insurance
• Tips
• Personal Expenses