In August 2016, the grand voyage of the Danubio Azul, a Tourist Class dive cruise ship, set sail. Blessed by the Galapagos National Park, this vessel stands as the gateway to naturalist and diving expeditions of unparalleled wonder.
Prepare to plunge into the unknown, for the Danubio Azul is not merely a ship; it is a promise of an exceptional, secure, and exclusive diving experience in one of the world’s most extraordinary locations. The adventure beckons, and the depths await your exploration.
Beneath the azure waves of the Galapagos archipelago, a realm of enchantment unveils itself. Dive into crystal-clear waters, where curious sea creatures and endemic species paint a living canvas of biodiversity. With the Danubio Azul as your trusted vessel, you’ll be guided by experts who understand the secrets of these aquatic realms, sharing their knowledge and passion for the natural world with you.
Technical Details
Ship Rank 2-3 Stars
Ship Type MonoHull
Ship Year 2007
Ship Length 24.84 meters
Ship Beam 5.47 meters
Ship Draft 1.83 meters / 6 feet
Ship Electricity 110-60HZ
Ship Engine 500 HP. MWM
Max Speed 11 knots
Ship Exterior Open
Fuel Type Diesel Oil
Capacity Oil 2170 gallons
Safety
• 1 Liferaft (25 pax)
2 boat with Yamaha engine
Radio VHF
2 Radars
Probe with alarm
Reflector and whistle
Bilge Pump
Epirb 406 rls
Oxifene
Complete first aid kit
Service Onboard
Guided tours with assistance during boarding and disembarkation.
Gourmet dinner prepared by a qualified chef.
Comfortable cabins with cleaning twice a day.
Latest generation diving equipment and special suits.
Experienced captains with extensive open water sailing experience.
GALLERY YACHT
DANUBIO AZUL DIVING
DIVE DECK
ACCOMODATION
MATRIMONIAL CABIN
Comfortable, spacious, clean room, precisely to make your stay a pleasant trip.
private bathroom
Hot water
clean towels
air-conditioned
TWIN CABINS
Double Cabin: We offer a double cabin on the upper deck for greater comfort.
private bathroom
Hot water
clean towels
air-conditioned
DECK PLANS
This roof plan is representative of the design
DIVE DECK:
Danubio Azul diving Equipment: Access state-of-the-art diving equipment, including special suits, all compliant with safety standards. This includes 2 air compressors, 2 Coltri Nitrox compressors, oxygen tanks, all meticulously maintained.
Experienced Captains: Our captains, nationally qualified by the Maritime Forces, possess extensive experience in open-water navigation, backed by physical and psychological training. Expert Guides: Explore naturalistic and diving itineraries led by qualified guides, experts in their respective fields.
EQUIPMENT ON BOARD:
Rest assured with our strict safety measures, including trained water rescue personnel
two radars
vhf radio
VHF-EPIRB
Two-way VHF
life raft
two Zodiacs with 50 HP Yamaha engines
reflectors
oxygen supply
bomb
fire extinguishers
life jacket
jackets
flares and more.
About Itinerary
Beneath the azure waves of the Galapagos archipelago, a realm of enchantment unveils itself. Dive into crystal-clear waters, where curious sea creatures and endemic species paint a living canvas of biodiversity. With the Danubio Blue as your trusted vessel, you’ll be guided by experts who understand the secrets of these aquatic realms, sharing their knowledge and passion for the natural world with you. This expedition is more than just a dive; it’s a voyage through time, unveiling the living history of a place that has inspired scientists and adventurers for generations. Be enchanted by the very waters that captivated Charles Darwin, and embark on a journey that goes beyond the surface to reveal the heart of evolution.
With safety as a paramount priority, the Danubio Blue ensures that your diving experience is not only memorable but secure. The expert crew and state-of-the-art equipment combine to provide you with a seamless, worry-free adventure in the aquatic wonderland.
ITINERARY DIVING - 8 DAYS
TUESDAY AM: Arrive to Baltra airport PM: Santa Cruz Island, Carrion Point WEDNESDAY AM: Bartholomew Island PM: Cousins Rock THURSDAY AM: Wolf Island, Punta Shark Bay PM: Wolf Island, El Derrumbe FRIDAY AM: Darwin Island PM: Darwin Island SATURDAY AM: Darwin Island PM: Darwin Island SUNDAY AM: Wolf Island, La Ventana Islet PM: Wolf Island, La Banana MONDAY AM: Isabela Island, Marshall Cape PM: Santiago Island, Egas Point TUESDAY AM: North Seymour Island PM: Baltra – Flight back to Quito or Guayaquil
AM: Once you arrive to the airport our transportation will be ready to transfer you to our great diving vessel Danubio Azul. PM: Santa Cruz Island, Carrion Point This exotic place has one of the most pacific currents. The majority of species found here are the old chameleon and the gringo, old rainbow, chancho and pretty Galapagos gobio. This place is excellent for snorkeling and panga ride.
AM: Bartholomew Island PM: Cousins Rock It’s famous for being a very special place for diving. Its amazing seahorses which love to cling to the black corals, but also the bloody frogfish attract lots of looks, however is kind of difficult to detect them, because of their mimic ability. Here you can also find abundance of species of endemic fish, and mega diversity of some others like don gringo fish, whitetail dascyllus, coral hawk fish, etc. On this place you will be able to do diving, panga ride and snorkeling.
DAY 3: WOLF ISLANDS, PUNTA SHARK BAY/ EL DERRUMBE
AM: Wolf Island, Punta Shark Bay This place is the principal diving area at Wolf island placed at its south. The white coral covers the sea bottom and this is a very attractive for this place. Here you will also admire the presence of hammerheads sharks, as well as whale sharks or white head. There is also snorkeling activity for amateurs. PM: Wolf Island, El Derrumbe Here you can find the empire of three spices of sharks. Hammerheads, Galapagos and whale sharks are the most important where diving will become a memorable experience. El Derrumbe is located on the southeast coast of wolf, an uninhabited island and no shore excursions are allowed. Strong horizontal and vertical descending currents occur generally; it is very normal to find here open water species such as green and hawksbill turtles, manta rays and rays are observed here too. There are also types of pelagic species such as voracious bluefin jureles, palometas and steers.
AM-PM:El Arenal which is a sublime natural place where sea lions take their “nap” Excellent for diving demanders, where you can find a lot of frigates, boobies and the colony of hammerheads and whales sharks is always present. An important note to consider is that the currents here are strong and its lands are uninhabited; no shore excursions are allowed El Arco, as its name implies, is a natural a physic structure with the shape of an arc made with rocks; its beauty will attire the attention of your camera.
AM-PM El Arenal which is a sublime natural place where sea lions take their “nap” Excellent for diving demanders, where you can find a lot of frigates, boobies and the colony of hammerheads and whales sharks is always present. An important note to consider is that the currents here are strong and its lands are uninhabited; no shore excursions are allowed El Arco, as its name implies, is a natural a physic structure with the shape of an arc made with rocks; its beauty will attire the attention of your camera.
DAY 6: WOLF ISLAND, LA VENTANA ISLET / WOLF ISLAND, LA BANANA
AM: Wolf Island, La Ventana Islet Coming back to Wolf, it is possible to admire a variety of fish species due to the presence of seedling and grill. It is possible to find on the way with real spots of albacore, palometas, among others. It’s too much to say we will encounter hammerhead sharks on the way, as well as other spices of them. PM: Wolf Island, La Banana Due to the strong currents, it is strongly recommended that expert divers go through la Banana. Here you can see tuna fish, albacores, palometas, snappers and more big spices of fish.
DAY 7: ISABELA ISLAND, MASRSHALL CAPE / SANTIAGO ISLAND, EGAS POINT
AM: Isabela Island, Marshall Cape It is a bottom of basaltic rock of very variable sizes and descends in a relatively steep slope towards greater depths. It is surprising that this background originated, through ground lava flows that went into the sea. Being in a megafauna pass area, this dive site is ideal for spotting stingrays, devil rays, green turtles, sea lions, different shark species and more open water species. PM: Santiago Island, Egas Point This visit consists of a black beach and a circular path that begins with an old road, and returns through the intertidal zone. Among its main attractions we will find the fur seals colony of Galapagos, the intertidal zone and the human history related to the site. There are also unique terrestrial birds of the archipelago such as the Galapagos hawk, the Galapagos dove, the Galapagos cucuve and a variety of Darwin finches.
DAY 8 : NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND : TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
AM: North Seymour Island The visit to North Seymour is the best way of saying goodbye to the Galapagos. Following a dry landing at sunrise we will walk amongst the largest blue-footed booby colony of the Islands. It is likely that you will enjoy their dancing and singing to find a mate. Not far from the dancers we have great and magnificent frigate birds nesting. The males inflate their pouches to attract the ladies that fly above them. Swallow tailed gulls and tropicbirds decorate the large basaltic walls of the island. We will be back on board for breakfast at 8:00 and we have to be ready to check out at 9:00. It is always a good idea to do most of your packing the previous night so you can have a pleasant last early morning visit and a relaxed breakfast.
ITINERARY NATURALIST - 8 DAYS
TUESDAY AM: Arrival at Baltra airport. PM: Santa Cruz Island, Black Tortuga Cove WEDNESDAY AM: South Plaza Island PM: Santa Fe Island, Barrington Bay THURSDAY AM: San Cristóbal Island, Cc David Rodríguez PM: San Cristóbal Island, Cerro Brujo FRIDAY AM: Floreana Island, Bahia Post Office PM: Floreana Island, Punta Cormorán SATURDAY AM: Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay PM: Bartolome Island SUNDAY AM: Rábida Island PM: Wolf Island, La Banana MONDAY AM: Eden Island PM: Ballena Bay PM: Santa Cruz, Fausto Llerena TUESDAY AM: Santa Cruz, Las Bachas Beach PM: Baltra – Flight back to Quito or Guayaquil
DAY 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz Island, Black Tortuga Cove
AM:Once you arrive at the airport baltra 10h23 our transportation will be prepared to transfer you to our great vessel Danubio Azul, ready start this exciting adventure. PM: Santa Cruz Island, Black Turtle Cove Your visit to Black Turtle Cove will be done through our motor panga ride service which will allow you discover the mangrove inlets. These lagoons provide a refuge to the rays, sharks, and sea turtles that are clearly visible alongside the boat. Once the engine is turned off, you will slowly approach the different species that live in this peaceful place.
DAY 2: South Plaza Island / Santa Fe Island, Barrington bay
AM: South Plaza Island The dry landing takes you to its brilliant combination of life and colors. Ground iguanas wondering through bright red carpet weed, Swallow tailed gulls nesting around the overhang tops and red-billed tropicbirds and shearwaters flying with dancing displays. Mind the pirates of the sky; they will strike if you drop your guard. It is one of the best spots in the archipelago to see land iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls, both indigenous to the Galapagos. There are iguana nests scattered all over the hill. The sheer cliffs of the southern shore are a perfect bird habitat, making it an unparalleled bird observatory for especially swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters, and red-billed tropicbirds. PM: Santa Fe Island, Barrington bay The bay looks as if artist had ornamented it. Barrington Bay is one of the most picturesque inlets of all visitor sites of the Galapagos. The white sand on the seabed reflects the light to turn the calm waters turquoise. A small forest of gigantic prickly pear cactus grows on a peninsula that keeps the bay sheltered. All that has been mentioned before are suitable conditions for a large sea lion colony. Santa Fe is an ancient extinct volcano and it has been isolated from other island long enough to have an endemic land dragon. Paler in color than its relatives, the Barrington terrestrial iguana has a primitive morphology. Galapagos Hawks, mocking birds, finches and endemic rice rats make company to yellowish monster. The snorkeling won’t disappoint you. muestra. Haz click para seleccionar el elemento de Texto.
DAY 3: San Cristobal Island, Cc David Rodriguez San Cristobal Island, Hill Witch
AM: San Cristobal Island, Cc David Rodriguez Located at the southeast of San Cristobal Island; Here you can see the giant tortoise in a semi-natural habitat. The objective of this place is to preserve and rescue the population of these spices of turtle which before used to be on the whole Island. You will see from the just born tortoise until the ancient, you will also be explained about their live through the exhibition room placed at this rescue center. PM: San Cristobal Island, Witch Hill Located on the north coast of San Cristobal Island, Witch Hill’s main attraction is a paradisiacal white sandy beach which separated by the lava flow, at the same time this separated the two salt water lagoons, which is also an attractive as well as other flora and fauna. In the lagoon, locals historically mined for salt to preserve their food, and today it is a great place for birdwatching. In addition, Witch Hill’s landscape allows a perfect viewpoint of Kicker Rock, the southern part of Upper San Cristobal and the adjacent coastline. It is a perfect place to do long walk, panga ride, and snorkeling.
DAY 4: Floreana Island, Bahía Post Office /Floreana Island, Punta Cormorant
AM: Floreana Island, Bahía Post Office Survival, mystery and murder are the main history ingredients for our next stop which will become our expedition an entire adventure. Post Office Bay has left a legacy of pirates, whalers, scientific expeditions and intense stories of slay and constant ambiguity. After a wet landing we walk a very short distance to be part of the most important Galapagos tradition. Later we will ride our panga to the west. We will go through a small set of islets with a sea lion colony, boobies and mangroves. Finally, following our ride we will land at the Baroness lookout. On top of this eroded spatter cone we will embrace the vivid obscurity of the human history of “Las Enchanted”. PM: Floreana Island, Punta Cormorant Punta Cormorant lies on the northern shore of Floreana and is the house of greater flamingos and sea turtles. On one side, the point is partially flooded with a brackish lagoon where flamingos nest and feed. Whimbrels, herons and stilts are other common shore and migratory birds of the wetlands. On the other side sea turtles use every corner of a white sand beach to deliver their eggs. You often see stingrays and reef sharks from the shore and if you are lucky turtles ending basking.
DAY 5: Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay /Bartolome Island
AM: Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay The genesis of the islands is easy to acknowledge at Sullivan Bay. The coiled shiny structures of the pahoe-hoe lava appear as if they were formed yesterday. Located on the east shores of Santiago Island these 131 years old lava flow has intact driblet cones. Older cinder cones were flooded by the rivers of lava and are a great example of aging igneous rocks. The contrast of colors and shapes of the basalt and the distinction of rust and shine of its surface will take you back to Mars, if you’ve been there before. Passengers having a 5 day itinerary will disembark after this visit and transported to Baltra airport. Passengers starting their 4 day cruise will be transported from Baltra airport to the yacht. PM: Bartholomew Island Bartolome Island offers an explosive volcanic landscape. Get ready to climb above 270 feet to admire the dramatic spatter cones and the view of Pinnacle Rock that everyone wants. Later, take a walk on magical golden beaches where sea turtle nest (December to March). Don’t forget to make time to swim near penguins, sharks and lava tubes.. Haz click para seleccionar el elemento de Texto.
AM: Rabida Island Galapagos offers a diversity of geological formations without boundaries. The island of Rabida has lavas rich in iron and after millions of years of exposure to air they have turned red. The rusted volcanic material has eroded to form a beautiful crimson sand beach, lovely for a walk. The protected shore provides excellent conditions for a Galapagos sea lions nursery and brown pelicans use the nearby saltbushes as a resting and nesting area. Hawks and mocking birds are common visitors of the lowlands. Furthermore, you will find that snorkeling of the beach can be very exciting; sharks, rays and many colorful fish are often visible. PM: Santiago Island, Chinese Hat Chinese Hat is a little island shaped as its name implies which sits off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. Its small white beaches have a sea lion colony. Snorkeling is usually very good, and with luck you might see the Galapagos penguins in the water.
DAY 7: Eden Island / Whale Bay / Santa Cruz, Fausto Llerena
AM: Eden Island PM: Whale Bay It is a small islet that is near the Island of Santa Cruz. To the south of our island we have Whale Bay and an extension of both the island of Pinzón and its channel. Its diameter is 600 meters and its highest score is 77 meters of altitude. These places are famous for their turtles and have 9 types of them so in which site you enjoy to watch them.
DAY 8 : Santa Cruz, Las Bachas Beach Baltra – Flight back to Quito or Guayaquil
AM: Santa Cruz, Las Bachas Beach The visit conduces us naturally toward the opposite borders of the beach Las Bachas, where we can go through lagoon paths visited by flamencos and a diversity of shore birds. After this last visit our transportation will be waiting for you to give you the ride back to the airport.
You will not go hungry onboard. We provide a Continental buffet prior to your first dive, then a full breakfast after the dive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style for all you can eat. We serve international and Ecuadorian dishes prepared with fresh local produce and seafood.
Of course. We can accommodate virtually any dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc) as long as you submit them to us in a timely manner. Your requests will be included on your Diver Booking form due 90 days prior to arrival.
