TIBURON EXPLORER
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The NEW, elegant & spacious 16-passenger M/V Tiburon Explorer Galapagos diving liveaboard provides 9 air-conditioned staterooms located on the main and lower decks; all of which have private bathrooms and ocean views. Two cabins situated on the main deck have queen beds only. All other cabins have twin beds and the cabins can be converted to queen beds for couples. The yacht features a partially covered sun deck with a hot tub and ample seating, a salon area with dining, a bar, and an entertainment area. WiFi with Satellite Internet connection is available onboard
The Tiburon Explorer's large dive deck includes a bathroom, a large camera table with a charging station, individual storage areas, rinse bins for cameras, and another for gear. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.
TECHNICAL AND SAFETY FEATURES
- Length overall: 125 ft (38 meters)
- Beam: 24.6 ft (7.5 meters)
- Draft: 7.1 ft (2.20 meters)
- Tonnage: 360 gross tons
- Main engines: 2 Engines MTU serie 60 , 475 HP each
- Maximum Speed: 12 knots
- Accommodations: 16 passengers in 9 air-conditioned staterooms on main and lower decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. 2 main deck staterooms have queen beds only while seven staterooms have twin beds and can be converted to queen beds for couples. Up to 9 crew and 2 guides in the Cruise Director Cabin.

SUN DECK
The Sun Deck features a large lounge area, bar, a partially covered sun deck and a hot tub with ample seating.
MAIN DECK
The Main Deck features six guest staterooms, 1-6, each with private bath and shower, air-conditioning, ample storage and large windows providing guests with amazing ocean views. Cabins 1 and 2 (Front) have queen beds only. Cabins 3-6 have queen or twin beds. The dining area, lounge/entertainment area, bar and large dive deck are also located on the Main Deck.
LOWER DECK
The Lower Deck comprises 3 suites, 7-9, each with private bath and shower, queen or twin beds, air-conditioning, port windows and ample storage. The 9th Cabin is only available for people who purchased a guaranteed single occupancy supplement.
- Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
- Air Systems: 2 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox
- Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables (2), used for passenger transport and diver pickup
- Accessories: Diving Equipment

DECK PLANS
ITINERARIES:
ITINERARY A - 8 DAYS
SATURDAY:
Baltra: Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning. The dive guides will meet the guests at the airport between 11:00 am and 12 pm and escort them to the Galapagos liveaboard, Tiburon Explorer®. Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, organize equipment and listen to the safety briefings.
SUNDAY:
Baltra North (2 Dives): Equipment check, 7:00 and 10:00 dives
Sightings include rays and schools of fish.
Afternoon North Seymour land visit. Walk the path around North Seymour Island to see the large colonies of Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds. Sighting of Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas are also common. Depart for Wolf Island (long transit)
MONDAY:
Wolf Island (4 Dives): 6:30, 10:30. 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Possible night dive. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale shark (in season), eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks
TUESDAY:
Darwin Island (4 Dives): 6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives
Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season) eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.
Transit to Wolf Island
WEDNESDAY:
Wolf Island (3-4 Dives): 6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives
Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.
Transit to Cabo Douglas (12 hours)
THURSDAY:
Cabo Douglas (1-2 Dives): Sightings include marine iguanas.
Transit to Punta Vicente Roca Punta Vicente Roca (1-2 Dives)
Sightings often include mola mola, turtles and macro life
Transit to Cousins Rock (10 hours)
FRIDAY:
Cousins Rock (2 Dives): 6:30 and 9:30 dives This is a great macro diving with an excellent chance of seeing sea horses, sea lions and eagle rays. Lunch will be served while transiting to Santa Cruz (3 hours). Travel by bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands to visit the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Transfer to the town of Puerto Ayora. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Return to the Tiburon Explorer at 8:30pm.
SATURDAY:
Baltra: Depart the vessel by 9 am. Transfer to the airport.
Currents
One of the most challenging aspects of diving in the Galapagos is dealing with currents that can be too strong to swim against (2 to 4 knots at times). Overall, expect that currents will be moderate to strong. At most dive sites, the strength of currents is constantly changing, sometimes in the middle of the dive.
Drift Diving
Because there are currents throughout the islands, and dives usually follow the flow of the current, most dives in the Galapagos are considered drift dives.
Surge
Whenever current or swells are present, expect to find a surge in the shallow areas. After surfacing at the end of the dive, swim away from the island of rocks, out toward the blue so the dinghy can reach you easily, without worrying about being pushed onto the rocks by the surge.
Visibility
Although there can be 30m (100ft) visibility in the Galapagos, more often it is in the 10-21m (30-70ft) range.
Depth
Most dive profiles are in the range of 6-24m (20-80ft), although depths at most sites easily reach or exceed 40m (130ft). However, the greatest variety of life and activity is normally between the surface and 18m (60ft), so there is no need to dive deep in the Galapagos. The only time this general rule changes is during El Niño years when hammerheads and other sharks stay deeper, following their food sources and avoiding warmer water at shallower depths.
Water Temperature
Surface water temperature ranges from from18-25°C (64-77°F). In contrast, temperatures at depth can drop to 13°C (56°F) and thermoclines (generally occurring between depths of 12-18m (40-60ft) can result in a sudden drop in temperature by as much as 6-9°C within a few feet. You will frequently feel these changes in water temperature as you pass through upwelling of the deep ocean currents during a dive.
Wetsuits / Drysuits
Layering is the best plan for diving in the Galapagos. 7 mm wetsuit with a lightweight hood, booties, and gloves is a good option or a dry suit with a full 5 mm hood will keep most divers warm and toasty.
Spacious
Social Areas
The social areas have ample spaces to spend time and relax, whether enjoying a glass of good wine.
Tiburon Explorer Yacht RATES 2023 Per person
ACCOMMODATION | 8 days |
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Lower deck suites (7-9): | July 2024 - June 2025: $7,195 |
Main deck Staterooms (1-6): | January 2023 - June 2024: $6,995 |