Diving Itinerary - Aqua Yacht - Galapagos Cruise

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, visitors undergo a meticulous inspection to prevent introducing foreign species to the islands. Your Transit Control Card (TCC) will be stamped for use during your trip and upon departure. After paying the Galapagos National Park entrance fee, your guide will greet you, assist with luggage, and escort you to M/Y Aqua. Here, the crew and captain will welcome you aboard and assign your cabin. You'll receive a safety briefing and details on activities before enjoying your first onboard lunch.

In the afternoon, dive at North East Baltra, an ideal starting point with moderate currents and captivating lava and rock formations. Encounter an array of marine species at depths around 20m/60 ft, including white-tip reef sharks, pelagic sharks, rays, and turtles. Sea lions often join during safety stops, and lucky sightings of hammerhead sharks are possible.

Return to the yacht for dinner and socializing in communal areas, enhancing your adventure experience.

In the morning, explore Cape Marshall on Isabela Island's northeastern coast, south of the equator and near the active Wolf volcano. Enjoy drift diving and encounter a dramatic volcanic rock wall teeming with hammerhead, white-tipped, and Galapagos sharks. Keep an eye out for whale sharks and large schools of fish like black-striped salema and barracudas, with black coral growing on the wall.

In the afternoon, visit "Manta’s City," known for frequent sightings of giant manta rays feeding in plankton-rich waters. Afterward, return to M/Y Aqua and set sail towards Darwin, covering considerable distance during the journey.

Given the abundance of dive sites at Darwin and Wolf, our daily selections are carefully tailored to current marine conditions. Prior to each dive, your guide will brief you on the site's location, expected conditions, and alternative options based on your interests. On Friday, conditions may allow for a unique night dive experience at one of two locations.

Here are the regular dive options:

El Darwin’s Arch, Darwin

This iconic landmark offers a breathtaking underwater theater where dreams of encountering scalloped hammerheads and whale sharks come true, especially between June and November. Witness these majestic creatures during their enigmatic migrations alongside other marine life like remora suckerfish.

Darwin’s Theatre, Darwin

Explore underwater grandstands with vantage points near a wall teeming with marine life. Even without whale sharks, enjoy sightings of hammerhead sharks, requiem sharks, silky sharks, tunas, wahoos, amberjacks, and pelagic fish.

El Arenal, Darwin

Visit cleaning stations where sharks, turtles, and mackerels interact with cleaning fish like butterflyfish, barber fish, and angelfish. Encounter hammerhead sharks, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, garden eels, and starfish.

Shark Bay, Wolf

Discover the shallow yet captivating Shark Bay, known for its abundant shark populations and fascinating symbiotic relationships among marine species like turtles, rays, and cleaning fish.

El Derrumbe, Wolf

Experience a thrilling shark spectacle with hammerhead, Galapagos, silky reef, and blacktip sharks, along with pelican barracudas and more. Keep an eye out for seasonal appearances by large whales.

Pinnacle and the Caves, Wolf

Explore underwater caves hosting diverse marine life including soldierfish, pufferfish, moray eels, Galapagos sharks, and spotted rays. Encounter large pelagic species near the pinnacle, such as hammerheads and bottlenose dolphins.

The Secret Cave (night dive), Wolf

Embark on a unique night dive adventure to discover nocturnal species like cardinalfish, spiny lobsters, sea urchins, moray eels, green turtles, and sea lions within the cave's walls.

El Fondeadero (night dive), Wolf

Explore Wolf's Anchorage at night to witness the unusual red-lipped batfish and other nocturnal marine life.

These carefully selected dive sites promise unforgettable encounters with Galapagos' extraordinary underwater world.

In the morning, explore Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island, characterized by its unique seahorse-shaped formation visible from space. Dive into a dark cave under a stunning arch and snorkel in calm waters teeming with sharks, penguins, pufferfish, and seahorses. Encounter sunfish and enjoy sightings of diverse marine species, although the water here can be chilly due to the presence of penguins.

In the afternoon, visit Douglas Cape on Fernandina Island, offering exceptional opportunities to observe marine life both above and below the water. Witness Galapagos penguins, cormorants, and marine iguanas unique to the islands. Spot marine iguanas swimming and feeding underwater, and keep an eye out for red-lipped batfish, horned dogfish, sunfish, and possibly whales during this unforgettable experience.

In the morning, visit Roca Cousin off the coast of Santiago, a prominent volcanic rock rising from the coastal waters. It serves as a resting spot for blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, Galapagos seals, sea lions, and Galapagos penguins, which can often be observed during a boat ride. Divers and snorkelers can explore the vibrant underwater world around Cousin's Rock, featuring two popular dive sites known for their adventurous wall dives and diverse marine life. Dive depths range from 12-30m with varying currents and temperatures, offering encounters with small to large marine species amid colorful reefs.

In the afternoon, explore the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island, contrasting with the morning's underwater adventures. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve in the Scalesia forest-covered highlands, the best place to observe Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Explore the wilderness and muddy trails, encountering tortoises in their natural environment beyond the breeding centers. This protected reserve, part of the Galapagos National Park, is home to diverse flora and fauna, including endemic songbirds, lichens, ferns, and waterfowl. Experience the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands while exploring this fascinating ecosystem.

Transfer to Baltra Airport marks the end of your journey, bidding farewell to fellow passengers and crew. Accompanied by the naturalist guide and crew, you will be transported with your luggage to Seymour Ecological Airport for your departure flight back to the mainland.