GALAPAGOS SKY
INFORMATION ABOUT
GALAPAGOS SKY
This 100 ft. (33m), 16 passenger luxury liveaboard yacht was launched in 2001. Galapagos Sky has cruised the islands of the Galapagos Archipelago providing thousands of divers with high octane, extraordinary Galapagos diving experiences.The Galapagos Islands are a marine sanctuary Over 90 percent of the land and all of the waters are protected. You’ll be visiting a part of the world which has changed little since the time of Charles Darwin. It’s unique location at the confluence of three major currents make it one of the busiest, fishiest, and magical underwater places on earth. Discover the magic of Galapagos diving on your next liveaboard cruise Galapagos Sky.
Technical Details
Vessel Specifications
- Built in 2001
- Steel Hulled Vessel
- L.O.A: 100 ft
- Beam: 24 ft
- Maximum Speed: 12 Knots
- Fuel Capacity: 7,500 gallons
- Water Capacity: 3,500 gallons
- Desalinator Production: 4,500 gallons per day
- Compressors: two high/ two low pressure
- Voltage: 110 and 220 volts
Safety
- VHF radios
- HI-SUB
- GMDSS,
- color radar
- echo sounder
- Furuno GPS for navigation
- Addition, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Nitrox Membrane System indicator radio beacon) is on board to ensure safety.
Service Onboard
- 8 Cabins (4 Master, 4 Deluxe) with ensuite bathrooms
- Maximum 16 Guests
- 11 High Level Crew
- Sun Deck
- Lounge
- 2 Flat Screen TV’s with Apple TV
- Video & Book Library
- Plug Type B Electric Outlets (United States)
- Camera Table
- Charging Station on Dive Deck
- Booth Style Dining
GALLERY
GALAPAGOS SKY DIVING
DIVE DECK
DINNING ROOM
DINNING ROOM
SOCIAL AREA
BAR
MATRIMONIAL CABIN
TWIN CABINS
TERRACE
ACCOMODATION
MASTER CABIN
- Upper Deck
- Master Cabin Size 10 sq m / 108 sq ft
- bath included.
- Cabins 1, 2, 3 & 4
- Option for One King Bed or Two Twin Beds
- Double Occupancy with Private Bathroom
- Picture Window
- One King Bed is 77 inches/ 196 cm long and 78 inches/ 198 cm
- Two Twin Beds 77 inches/ 196 cm long and 38 inches/ 97 cm
DECK PLANS
This deck plan is representative of the layout, but do not rely on it for cabin sizes.
DIVE DECK:
- Galapagos Sky carries VHF and HI-SUB radios, GMDSS, color radar, echo sounder, and Furuno GPS for navigation. In addition, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Nitrox Membrane System indicator radio beacon) is on board to ensure safety.
EQUIPMENT ON BOARD:
- Galapagos Sky carries VHF and HI-SUB radios,
- GMDSS,
- color radar,
- echo sounder, and Furuno GPS for navigation.
- In addition, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Nitrox Membrane System indicator radio beacon) is on board to ensure safety.
- RENTAL GEAR
About Itinerary Galapagos Diving
Galapagos Sky is a dedicated scuba liveaboard offering trips on 7-night itineraries year round. We do spend 3 dive days at the remote northern islands of Wolf and Darwin which have now been scientifically recognized as having the highest abundance of sharks in the world! We also dive with endemic Marine Iguanas at Cabo Douglas and Mola Mola at Punta Vicente Roca. Our itinerary truly gives you the best scuba experience in the Galapagos!
We do up to 4 dives a day with 1 night dive on the itinerary.
The Galapagos Islands are home to the highest concentration of sharks in the world! Galapagos Sky brings divers to the best dive sites in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which are only accessible by liveaboard. Year round divers experience the magic of schooling hammerheads, penguins, endemic marine iguanas, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellow fin tuna, big eye jacks, mobula rays, silky sharks, white and black tip sharks, sea lions galore!, chevron barracuda, snappers, rainbow runners, and wahoo. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrot fishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific box fishes, and tiger snake eels. With regular sightings of mola mola (oceanic sun fish), sea horses, bullhead sharks, red lipped bat fish, various shrimp and many other marine invertebrates. The biodiversity in the Galapagos makes for world-class diving that many divers consider the best dive destination on the planet.
ITINERARY DIVING - 8 DAYS
SUN
DAY
AM: San Cristobal Arrival and Transfer to the Boat
PM: San Cristobal Island: Lobos Island
MONDAY
AM: Bartolome
PM: Cousins Rock
TUESDAY
AM: Wolf Island
PM: Wolf Island
WEDNESDAY
AM: Darwin Island
PM: Darwin Island
THURSDAY
AM: Darwin Island
PM: Wolf Island
FRIDAY
AM: Cabo Douglas
PM: Vicente Roca Point
SATURDAY
AM: Pinzon
PM: Santa Cruz: Puerto Ayora
THURSDAY
AM: :San Cristobal airport arrival
DAY BY DAY
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL: ARRIVAL AND TRSFER TO THE BOAT
After everyone is on board (guests should be on board by 11 AM), we will introduce you to the boat and do our mandatory safety briefings and drill. Then, we cruise to the area of Los Lobos for your check-out dive.
This will be your first underwater introduction to Galapagos sea lions and fur seals! Watch them Zoom in and out and dance playfully for you!
Even on the first day of your live-aboard cruise – you begin to see the myriad and diverse land formations which comprise the Galapagos Islands topside. It is then you realize you will see nothing like it in your lifetime.
AM: BARTOLOME
Bartolome Land walk
Bartolome is a lovely area where guests enjoy a favorite land tour where they can climb to the top of the hill where breathtaking views abound. Conditions permitting, snorkeling with penguins will be allowed.
PM: COUSINS 2 DIVE
Cousins Rocks- this dive is an itinerary favorite, and is done along a beautiful wall, and allows for great viewing opportunities for corals, frogfish, sea horses, scorpionfish, and octopus. It is also a great dive for large schools of Barracuda and also Hammerhead shark sightings. Sea lions will be your companions upon entry and on the safety stops.
By definition, the entire Galapagos Archipelago is geographically remote. But after this day of your live-aboard cruise finds you heading toward the most isolated, northernmost part of the Galapagos Islands – the uninhabited, untouched, twin cathedrals of world-class diving – Wolf and Darwin Islands
AM: WOLF ISLAND
4 Dives a day at Wolf plus a night dive
Diving Wolf and Darwin
You’ll spend the next three days diving (up to four dives per day plus a night dive) on the legendary islands of WOLF & DARWIN.
Most experienced divers will agree, Wolf and Darwin can provide some of the best diving encounters in the world! Whale sharks are common here from Mid May through November. At The Arch at Darwin, you will see hammerhead sharks either individually, in small groups, or in large schools. Bottlenose dolphins are common. The reef contains many warm water varieties of fish found nowhere else in the Islands.
Wolf Island: One of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from. If you want to see sharks, you are at the right spot. This is a place for schooling hammerhead sharks, large aggregations of Galapagos sharks, and occasionally whale sharks. Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions, and sea turtles are common. The bottom is littered with hundreds of moray eels, many of them free-swimming. Being several degrees warmer than the central islands, you can look for many representatives of the Indo-Pacific underwater fauna. On a night dive here you will also enjoy spotting and watching the Red Lipped bat fish walk along the bottom of the sea!
AM: DARWIN ISLAND
4 Dives a day at Wolf plus a night dive
Diving Wolf and Darwin
You’ll spend the next three days diving (up to four dives per day plus a night dive) on the legendary islands of WOLF & DARWIN.
Most experienced divers will agree, Wolf and Darwin can provide some of the best diving encounters in the world! Whale sharks are common here from Mid May through November. At The Arch at Darwin, you will see hammerhead sharks either individually, in small groups, or in large schools. Bottlenose dolphins are common. The reef contains many warm water varieties of fish found nowhere else in the Islands.
Once you see Wolf and Darwin – you’ll immediately understand why there are no shore excursions on this part of the cruise – there is no way up the vertical cliffs!
Darwin Island: Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin island (actually several dive sites depending on where you enter, currents, etc) honors its reputation. It is warmer by a few degrees than the central islands. In one single dive, you can find schooling hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellowfin tuna, big eye jacks, Mobula rays, and silky sharks. From June to November, it is not uncommon to encounter whale sharks in multiple numbers on one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue marlins, and killer whales adds to this amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller stuff, you’ll find octopus, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish. Darwin Island is the biggest jewel in the Galapagos Crown.
AM: DARWIN ISLAND / WOLF ISLAND
4 Dives a day at Wolf plus a night dive
Diving Wolf and Darwin
You’ll spend the next three days diving (up to four dives per day plus a night dive) on the legendary islands of WOLF & DARWIN.
Most experienced divers will agree, Wolf and Darwin can provide some of the best diving encounters in the world! Whale sharks are common here from Mid May through November. At The Arch at Darwin, you will see hammerhead sharks either individually, in small groups, or in large schools. Bottlenose dolphins are common. The reef contains many warm water varieties of fish found nowhere else in the Islands.
Once you see Wolf and Darwin – you’ll immediately understand why there are no shore excursions on this part of the cruise – there is no way up the vertical cliffs!
Darwin Island: Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin island (actually several dive sites depending on where you enter, currents, etc) honors its reputation. It is warmer by a few degrees than the central islands. In one single dive, you can find schooling hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellowfin tuna, big eye jacks, Mobula rays, and silky sharks. From June to November, it is not uncommon to encounter whale sharks in multiple numbers on one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue marlins, and killer whales adds to this amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller stuff, you’ll find octopus, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish. Darwin Island is the biggest jewel in the Galapagos Crown.
Wolf Island: One of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from. If you want to see sharks, you are at the right spot. This is a place for schooling hammerhead sharks, large aggregations of Galapagos sharks, and occasionally whale sharks. Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions, and sea turtles are common. The bottom is littered with hundreds of moray eels, many of them free-swimming. Being several degrees warmer than the central islands, you can look for many representatives of the Indo-Pacific underwater fauna. On a night dive here you will also enjoy spotting and watching the Red Lipped bat fish walk along the bottom of the sea!
AM: CABO DOUGLAS / VICENTE ROCA POINT
Cabo Douglas 1 dive – Marine iguana dive
Punta Vicente Roca up to 2 dives and Panga ride if time allows.
At Cape (Cabo) Douglas, on the western side of Fernandina Island, we will do 1 dive Friday morning. Here you can expect to see Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas, Flighless Cormorants, Sea Lions, Seahorse, Sea Turtles, Horn Sharks, Red Lipped Batfish, and occasional hammerhead sharks and white tip sharks. Also keep an eye out for chevron barracuda, snappers, yellowfin tuna, rainbow runners, and wahoo. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrotfishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific box fishes, and tiger snake eels.
AM: PINZON / SANTA CRUZ: PUERTO AYORA
Northeast tip of Isla Pinzon/Islote Dumb- 1 dive
Puerto Ayora/Highlands tour
Isla Pinzon – NEWEST SITE TO THE ITINERARY- first visited in 2013! While diving Isla Pinzon you will be provided opportunities for encounters with a variety of species of sharks, sea lions, mantas, eagle rays, and moray eels. Many species of fish and tropicals include yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, Moorish idols, steel pompanos, snappers, grunts, creole fish, and barracuda.
This dive is then followed by a transit to Itabaca Channel where guests will be transferred by bus (at approx. 2 PM and approx.. 45-minute ground transfer) to visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the Galapagos Tortoises in their natural environment and visit Puerto Ayora. Guests will then be transferred back to Itabaca Channel to board the Galapagos Sky approx. 1900h. The Sky will then return to San Cristobal for Sunday morning cruise completion.
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL: INTERPRETATION CENTER
Interpretation center.
Arrive at San Cristobal—(Land Excursion) and visit the Interpretation Center where an interesting human history of the Galapagos is presented, town walk (last chance for shopping). Late morning departure.
Marine Life: Schooling Hammerheads, giant whale sharks, rays of all shapes and colors, turtles, huge schools of fish, Galapagos fur seals, and astounding marine life diversity are just some of the riveting attractions of Galapagos liveaboard diving – a destination many divers feel is “the best in the world”.
Itineraries may be changed due to current or pending weather conditions or at the Captain’s discretion for your safety. Itineraries can also be changed at the discretion of the Galapagos National Park which administers the cruise itineraries.
GET TO KNOW OUR RATES TO RENT THE DIVING GEAR
The person who rents the equipment is responsible for any loss or damage to the rented equipment while in his/her possession and agrees to return it in the same condition as received.
| GEAR | 7 NIGHTS CRUISE |
| Full Gear Rental Package per Week | $$250 ,00 |
| BCD | $80,00 |
| DIVE COMPUTER | $75,00 |
| REGULATOR / GAUGE | $80,00 |
| SNORKELING EQUIP. | $25,00 |
| WETSUIT 7mm (full length) | $45,00 |
| 100 cu ft/ 15 ltr tank upgrade | $100,00 |
Notes: Full dive kit includes BCD, regulators, wetsuit, mask, booties, hoods and fins only and must be requested prior arrival in order to guarantee service.
INCLUDED:
- Accommodation in double cabin with private bathroom and Air conditioning
- All meals during the cruise.
- Certified Diving guides
- Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea.
- 3 land excursions
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flight tickets Quito - Galapagos - Quito
- Galapagos National Park Entrance fee ($200 per person)
- INGALA control Card ($20 per person)
- Diving insurance
- Diving equipment (available for rent)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
Facts & Questions
- Nitrox/Enriched Air Certification by a recognized certification/training agency is required to dive with Nitrox on board Galápagos Sky. Without proof of Nitrox certification, divers will be provided with air fills. Without Nitrox certification, all dives cannot be completed on Days 3, 4 & 5 at Wolf & Darwin due to recreational Non-Decompression Limits. Nitrox classes are not offered on board. Our membrane system generally produces 32%. Certified Nitrox divers must analyze and log Nitrox mixes and MODs prior to each dive. Nitrox Analyzers are provided on board.
✅ Nitrox Certification Cards must be presented to Dive Guides at check-in on board.
✅ Divers without Nitrox Certification will be required to hire a Private Dive Guide.
Each diver is required to have Dive Accident insurance. Divers must note the company and policy number on the Application. The Hyperbaric Chamber donation fee does not cover any medical expenses if needed. Traditional Health Insurance and Travel Insurance policies do not cover hyperbaric treatment or emergency evacuation caused by the activity of scuba diving. A Dive Accident policy or rider to a Travel Insurance policy is required. DAN.og and DiveAssure.com are common Dive Accident Insurance companies that also offer Travel Insurance. There are many other Dive Accident and Travel Insurance companies offered around the world. Best to research what is available in your home country.
110/AC 60 cycle Type B (the same as in North and Central America) with some 220 outlets on the dive deck. The main lounge area and all cabins have Type B outlets.
For divers who wish to have a Private Dive Guide, an extra guide can be made available for $2220 per week. Private Dive Guide services must be made well in advance and are contingent to Dive Guide availability.
Divers must have a minimum of 50-100 dives and recent dive experience within 6 months of the departure date. No divers under the age 15. If a diver, agent or trip leader books an under qualified diver or a diver without Nitrox Certification, we can require a Private Dive Guide to be hired at their expense.
Divers with a Private Dive Guide dive with the main group and not separately for logistics and safety reasons. Separate drops are not permitted.
The fee is added to the reservation invoice and payment is made in advance.
Our most popular question! Truly, Galapagos offers phenomenal year-round diving. The Galapagos Sky offers liveaboard cruising all twelve months of the year and visits the unbelievable islands of Wolf and Darwin on every trip. There are two “seasons” for Galapagos diving:
WHALE SHARK SEASON (from June to November)
The water is cooler, 60-75°F, 15-24°C.
MANTA SEASON (December through May)
English and Spanish are spoken on board Galápagos Sky by Dive Guides and Captains.
As of August 01, 2023, Galápagos Sky provides free WiFi on board for our guests. Guests can message, make Whatsapp calls and receive/send e-mails.
Please download the Whatsapp App before boarding.
Cellular Phone Connection
Cell Phones with International plans will work on San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz.
Cell phones with WiFi plans will work on San Cristóbal and on Santa Cruz.
Please check with your cell phone carrier to ensure an International WiFi plan. Guests may also bring their own personal or rented Satellite Phone with or without a WiFi plan which will work from the upstairs sundeck outside.
Rental Wetsuits are all standard, full-length 7mm. We carry very limited quantities of Mens and Ladies Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large, and Men’s XXL only. We do not carry specialty sizes such as Short or Tall. Divers must bring their own gloves, hood/hooded vest, layering garments for added thermal protection.
Rental BCDs are not weight integrated. Weight belts must be used with rental BCD’s. Fins are open-heel, adjustable Seawing Nova fins. Size Small through XL only. Rental regulator set-ups come with: First stage (yoke), Primary second stage regulator, Secondary second stage regulator (octopus or an alternate air source), Low pressure inflator hose (standard connector), submersible pressure gauge (SPG) and depth gauge (analog).
It is highly recommended that divers bring their own gear. Advanced diving conditions that are common in Galapagos truly call for divers to be in their own, known and proper fitting gear. If a diver must rent gear, please understand that sizes, selection and quantities are extremely limited. Guests should note items to be rented and specific size(s) on the Application.
All Fees for rental gear are paid directly on Galapagos Sky on the last day of the cruise. USD, Cash, and Visa/MasterCard are accepted on board for payment.
*Not available for rent or purchase: Cameras, Gloves, Hoods, Thermal Vests, Torches/ Underwater Lights, Knives, Steel Tanks, or Pony Bottles.
MORE DIVING TOUR OPTIONS
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TIBURON EXPLORER
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