Galapagos Itinerary

On a typical diving day we offer up to 4 day dives aside from the days where we offer land excursions. On our 7-night itinerary we schedule up to 18 dives, whilst during our 10-night itineraries up to 27 dives will be possible. We do not offer night dives in the Galapagos.

The diving day aboard the Galapagos Master is scheduled as follows:
Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
Snack relaxation period, briefing and Dive 4
Dinner

To allow our guests to explore the Galapagos to its fullest, on days 2, 7 and 10, dives 3 and 4 will be substituted by an island visits at North Seymour, Santa Cruz or Isla Isabela.

Diving in the Galapagos can be challenging, even for the experienced diver. At many sites currents can be strong and visibility may diminish due to currents and an influx of nutrients. We highly recommend our guests have training beyond beginner level and a minimum experience of 50 dives, preferably in similar conditions. If our dive crew feel that you do not have the relevant skills or experience to dive the more challenging sites safely then they may stipulate that you sit out some dives.

Water temperature ranges from 21-30°C (70-86°F) between December and May when manta rays are more commonly sighted. However, it drops to an average of 16-24°C (60-75°F) between June and November when the Humboldt Current comes up from the south, bringing with it plankton; making this the best time for seeing whale sharks. Thermoclines can also be expected and divers are advised to bring suitable thermal protection.

Detailed itinerary info:
Galapagos itinerary
Galapagos 7 night detailed itinerary
Galapagos 10 night detailed itinerary

Dive Site Description

Yacht Information Built in 2004 the yacht, known as Deep Blue, joined the Master Liveaboards brand and underwent a full refit in November 2014. The refit was supervised by the our own experienced team of yacht builders, who have also brought you the Siren Fleet.

Divided over 2 decks, there are 8 comfortable cabins with en-suite facilities. Our 16 guests have a choice of fixed doubles, fixed twins and convertible double/twin cabins. Communal areas comprise of a spacious indoor lounge, on the middle level, with cushioned bench seating and plasma screen for movie and photo viewing. Adjacent to the lounge is our indoor dining area complete with cocktail bar. An indoor camera set-up station, with numerous charging points (US flat pin plug) and storage drawers is situated to the rear providing ample room for a full photography charter group. Further camera preparation areas can be found on the rear deck next to the dive deck. The upper level has shaded outdoor bench seating with cushioned loungers from where our guests can enjoy the fresh air and views of The Galapagos.

For those who enjoy to relax in the sun there is the top level sun-deck or upper level bow area with additional cushioned loungers provided for your comfort. Guests are free to take advantage of the gangways on both the port and starboard sides to walk around the yacht or visit the Captain in his bridge on the upper deck.

The dive deck is found on the aft of the lower level deck. We provide individual dive equipment set up areas, with under bench storage for all your personal items. Rinse tanks are conveniently located for washing dive equipment and camera gear, whilst there are 2 shower heads for those wishing for a quick post-dive rinse down.
A further 2 deck heads are situated on the starboard side of the boat, just in front of the salon entrance.

Schedule and Rates

For each liveaboard safari in the Galapagos the additional fees are payable locally:-
US$100 Galapagos National Park Tax – payable on arrival at San Cristobal Airport
US$25 Ingala Transfer Card – payable on arrival at Guayaquil Airport

Master Liveaboards offers a range of services to make your stay on board even more enjoyable. Full rental equipment, Marine Park & Port Fees, and gases can now be pre-booked and pre-paid at the time of booking.

Land excursions are included in your cruise free of charge and services are available for an additional fee:
– Alcoholic beverages (prices vary)
– Master Liveaboards merchandise (prices vary)

Getting there and away… The Galapagos Master embarks and disembarks at the island of San Cristóbal. Book your international flight into and out of Quito or Guayaquil International Airport in Ecuador from where there are daily domestic flights to San Cristóbal (SCY). Our representative will meet you at the airport. Embarkation time is depending on flight arrivals; disembarkation at the end of the cruise will be just before 10 am allowing plenty of time for your onward domestic connection. International flights are possible to some destinations on the day of disembarkation but please ensure you allow plenty of time for transfers and check in.

On arrival… The Galapagos Islands are a province of Ecuador. Passport holders of most Western and Asian countries will be issued with a visa on arrival into Ecuador that allows for stays of up to 90 days, please make sure that your passport has validity of at least 6 months beyond the period you intend to stay in Ecuador. If you are travelling with medication please bring your physician’s prescription with you. Check www.ecuador.org for further information.

NEW regulation per 1 May 2018: Any person who enters Ecuador as a tourist must be able to present proof of public or private FULL COVERAGE international health insurance for the duration of their stay in Ecuador.

Staying there… The local currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar (USD). Larger hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants will normally accept Visa and Mastercard for which a charge of 4 – 10% may be levied. We work with a number of hotels and resorts. Should you wish to extend your stay in the Galapagos, the Master Liveaboards travel team will be pleased to assist you.

Climate and weather… The Galapagos Islands straddle the equator and weather is roughly divided into two seasons; ‘warm’ and ‘dry’. The warm season, generally begins in December has average daytime temperature of 23°C (75°F) with daily rain showers and cloudier skies. The dry season, typically begins in May/June, bringing cooler temperatures with an average of 21°C (70°F) with local rain showers generally confined to the highlands of the larger islands. Evening temperatures can drop to just 15°C (59°F) therefore we advise guests to bring warm clothing for the cooler evenings.

Time zone… The local time in mainland Ecuador is 5 hours behind UTC (GMT), whereas the Galapagos is 6 hours behind UTC (GMT).

Health… Dengue is a concern in Galapagos; protect yourself with repellent and by wearing clothing with long sleeves, trousers or long skirts/sarongs.  Eating or drinking food or beverages from street vendors carries health risks and travelers should exercise caution. We produce our own purified water on board the Galapagos Master and all attention is given to food hygiene standards and safety. We recommend you visit a health care provider who specialises in travel medicine prior to your travels to address any and all concerns you might have with a professional.

Detailed trip information can be found here: https://pax.wwdas.com/pax_si/downloads/pdf/galapagos_trip_information.pdf

Travel Advisories… For more in-depth advisories on travel in Ecuador, please take the time to read the following travel advisories and heed their advice: US State Department UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Galapagos FAQs
Whilst we have much information on our website you may find you have additional questions about our dive liveaboard, the diving in the Galapagos or general location information. Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions, should you have other questions or queries, please contact our reservations team who will be pleased to assist you.

NEW regulation per 1 May 2018: Any person who enters Ecuador as a tourist must be able to present proof of public or private FULL COVERAGE international health insurance for the duration of their stay in Ecuador.

Can I dive with Nitrox?
Yes. All Nitrox qualified divers may opt to dive with Nitrox for an additional charge.

I am not Nitrox certified. May I take a nitrox course whilst on board?
We do not currently offer any dive training courses aboard the Galapagos Master. There may be rough conditions and strong currents at certain dive sites, so for extra security, we recommend all guests to complete a Nitrox certification course before joining us aboard the Galapagos Master.

What should I bring with me?
Liveaboard lifestyle is relaxed and informal. Essential items include T-shirts, shorts, swim wear, long trousers / sarong/ long skirt, sturdy footwear for island visits and a warm jacket or pullover for cooler nights. Shower gel is provided on board, however guests should bring any hair care or personal beauty products they require, along with sunscreen. We have a fully stocked first aid kit on board, but guests should bring any personal prescription medications with them (with doctor’s note).

Can I rent scuba equipment whilst aboard?
Yes. Our standard tanks are 12L aluminum. If you would like to get a 12L steel tank or a 15L steel tank, this is possible for an additional fee. Please inform us ahead of time, as well as any other rental equipment you may need, preferably together with your reservation. Galapagos Master provides all rental equipment including BCDs, regulators, 7mm full wetsuits, masks and fins for an additional charge.

Must I pay National Park fees?
Yes. All visitors to the Galapagos are required to pay fees to enter the national park. These consist of US$100 Galapagos National Park Fee, to be paid in cash upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, and US$25 Ingala Transit Control Card, which is to be paid at Quito or Guayaquil Airport, depending on where you board the aircraft to arrive at Galapagos. If you choose our attractive domestic flights package, the Transit Control Card will be included, as well as extra luggage allowance.

I am travelling alone. Must I pay a single supplement or may I share a cabin?
For solo travelers we offer 2 options. You may choose to have a cabin for yourself for which we charge  a single supplement of 80% of the cabin cost. However if you wish to share a cabin, we will place you in a twin cabin with a member of the same sex. We do not mix cabins without express permission of both guests.

Must I spend an additional night in Ecuador either side of my liveaboard trip?
We recommend our guests to spend an additional night on either side of their trip to ensure they are well rested for the diving ahead. Most international flights arrive into Guayaquil or Quito after the domestic connection to San Cristóbal has departed, making an overnight stay a necessity. However, the domestic departure is in the morning of disembarkation day, allowing time for guests to make their international connection. We do advise allowing plenty of time for transfers, check-in and potential flight delays.

How can I pay for extras and tips onboard?
We accept payment in cash USD on board Galapagos Master. We can take payment in Euro, GBP, and AUD but be aware that due to poor local exchange rates in the Galapagos, we strongly suggest that you bring cash USD into Galapagos with you for any payments on both land and boat. Please note that we cannot accept any card payments on Galapagos Master. Guests are advised to bring sufficient cash USD for any optional extras and tips.

Do I need dive insurance?
Yes. All divers travelling aboard the Galapagos Master must ensure they are fully covered for all diving accident and emergency situations, including coverage for air evacuation. We also strongly advise our guests to obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover against unforeseeable delays and potential missed flight connections.  A combination dive and travel insurance, which includes the option for additional liveaboard cover, may be booked through Master Liveaboards or online through DiveAssure.

Master Liveaboards is proud to have some of the best staff in the worldwide liveaboard industry across all their diving destinations. Each member of staff is fully committed to making sure you have a perfect holiday by providing you the most attentive, fun and professional service on board!

The Galapagos Master crew comprises 12 professionals: a Captain, Engineers, Deck Hands, Skiff drivers, a Host, a House Keeper, Chefs and a Dive Team. All of them have been selected for their experience and professionalism.