GALAPAGOS SCUBA DIVING BOATS : FIRST CLASS / TOURIST SUPERIOR / TOURIST CLASS / ECONOMY /
DAILY DIVE EXCURSIONS

All Galapagos diving boats usually offer the following equipment: Tanks, weights, and weight belts, compressor. You must bring: Diving certification cards and we also suggest you bring your own full diving gear, including mask and snorkel, full wet suit(1/8" or 1/4", depending on the season and your cold sensitivity), gloves, hood, boots, fins, regulator, buoyancy compensator, gauges, compass, cyalume "glow" sticks, and a dive light. We also recommend: a diving computer, dive sausage(scuba tuba), and horn "dive alert".

All Galapagos live aboard diving boats offered on this website are PADI certified.

When diving in the Galapagos marine reserve
you may see dolphins in some other parts of the world. You may also see sharks or whales. You may well, if you are lucky, see giant mantas. But where else in the world can you see them all in the same area ? Where else in the world can you find such a variety of reef fish, corals, invertebrates, pelagic fish ? hint... Galapagos Islands diving
Where else in the world can you get so close to a sea lion that you could touch it, without it being frightened and dashing away ? Where else in the world can you dive surrounded by sharks, being sure none of them, nor any of the inhabitants of this extraordinary submarine world, will feel threatened by you ? hint... Galapagos Islands diving
It is therefore no real surprise that Galapagos as a diving site has been elected one of the Seven Wonders of Marine World by the prestigious oceanographic organisation Cedam International. No real surprise either that Galapagos is the top diving destination among the divers' favourites, according to a poll realized by the Rodale's scuba diving magazine www.scubadiving.com

Diving in Galapagos is permitted in specific areas of the Marine Reserve and around the main islands of the Galapagos archipelago (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana, Santiago, Santa Fe, etc.). It is however submitted to strict regulations and only authorised under the supervision of a National Park naturalist divemaster guide when diving in th e Galapagos.

The best time for diving in Galapagos is during the hot season, which is from December to May. At this time of year, the sea is calm and the visibility is better, even if it rarely exceeds 25 meters (average is between 12 and 18 meters). The water also tends to be a bit warmer (between 20 and 25° Celsius).

Be aware that Galapagos is a major diving destination for experienced divers -beginners will have less choice-, as diving conditions are pretty rough : cold water, strong currents, surges and large swells.

CHOOSING YOUR GALAPAGOS DIVING BOAT

Depending on the experience you are looking for you have 2 important options to take into account when selecting a diving cruise in the Galapagos Islands. The first, diving only cruise, offers 2 dives per day and 1 every night, it is oriented exclusively to underwater diving fans, these cruises offer little or no visits to the Galapagos islands themselves as they focus on the diving sites only. The main attraction of a diving only cruise is the visit to the Galapagos islands of Darwin and Wolf, considered to be the 2 best places in the world for the view of large see animals. The second, naturalist cruise with occassional diving, offers more flexibility and the opportunity to combine Galapagos island visits with 1 optional diving per day and 1 diving per night allowing you to see the best of both worlds. The combined cruise is ideal for couples, where 1 person dives and the other does not.

As on all diving boats some are better than others and, depending on the level of comfort and special needs you may have, we have rated all Galapagos diving yachts taking into account the comfort they can offer for the best diving experience:

GALAPAGOS FIRST CLASS DIVING BOATS Back to top
These Galapagos diving yachts offer broad social areas, exterior double cabins with private bathrooms and hot water, they are fully air conditioned. Decoration is on the elegant side. Large custom diving platforms, electric compressors, camera tables and battery charging stations are provided and usually film processing and camera rentals.

On board you will find excellent cuisine and a well trained crew, your guide is an experienced dive master. These Galapagos diving yachts comply with all international diving and operational safety standards and have a high record of customer satisfaction.

GALAPAGOS TOURIST SUPERIOR DIVING BOATS
These Galapagos diving yachts offer moderate social areas, exterior and interior double, cabins with private and shared bathrooms, some are fully air conditioned. Diving platforms, electric compressors.

On board you will find good food and a well trained crew, your guide is a dive master. These Galapagos diving yachts comply with all international diving and operational safety standards.

GALAPAGOS TOURIST CLASS DIVING BOATS
Galapagos diving yachts under this category may or may not have air conditioning(may not be fully functional), small social areas(dining room, living room, sun decks), double and triple cabins some with private or shared facilities (sometimes hot water). Electric compressors and may or may not have a diving platform.

Food on board these Galapagos diving yachts is of average quality. Crew is not as well trained as on board higher category Galapagos diving yachts. Your guide is a dive master and the boat complies with all international diving and safety standards.

GALAPAGOS ECONOMY CLASS DIVING BOATS
Galapagos diving boats under this classification ussually do not have air conditioning, small social areas(dining room, living room, sun decks), double, triple and quad cabins some with private or shared facilities (no hot water, sometimes no water). Electric compressors and may or may not have a diving platform.

Food on board these Galapagos diving yachts is of average quality. Crew is not as well trained as on board higher category yachts. Your guide is a dive master and the boat complies with all international diving and safety standards. Galapagos diving boats in this category are for travellers on a budget and with a high spirit of adventure. Descent diving itinerary.

GALAPAGOS DAILY DIVING EXCURSIONS Back to top
There are several new Galapagos diving resorts on the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz, each offers a hotel stay with daily diving in the central area of the Galapagos archipelago, it is possible to practice up to 3 dives per day and 1 per night. The best features of staying at a Galapagos diving resort is that you can make your own itinerary and the price is significantly lower than a Galapagos diving live aboard.