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Description
Boat
Humboldt Explorer is a robust and specialized liveaboard designed specifically to navigate the diverse and often challenging waters of the Galapagos Islands. With a length of 34 meters and a beam of 6.5 meters, this vessel provides a stable and comfortable platform for divers seeking the ultimate pelagic encounter. Having undergone regular refurbishments to maintain its high standards, the boat blends functional expedition features with the comforts of a premium hotel.
Humboldt Explorer was constructed to meet all international safety standards while providing an inviting atmosphere for its 16 passengers. The interiors are designed to be practical yet cozy, ensuring that after a long day of diving with hammerheads, guests have a relaxing space to call home.
The main salon is the social heart of the vessel. It features ample comfortable seating and a full entertainment center with a TV and media library. This air-conditioned space is where guests gather for detailed dive briefings or to share photos from their underwater adventures. Adjoining the salon is the dining area, where large windows ensure you never miss a passing whale blow or a beautiful island vista while enjoying your meal.
Humboldt Explorer features a spacious partially shaded sun deck. Here, you can relax in the on-deck jacuzzi—a guest favorite for warming up after a cool Galapagos dive—or lounge in the comfortable deck chairs while enjoying the panoramic views of the archipelago.
Dining on Humboldt Explorer is a highlight, featuring a mix of local Ecuadorian specialties and international favorites. The chef prepares three hearty meals a day, served buffet-style to ensure everyone is well-fueled for the four-dive-a-day schedule. Snacks are provided between dives, and local beer and wine are typically included with dinner, allowing for a festive atmosphere as the sun sets.
The diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), which are easily boarded from the main dive deck. The dive deck itself is exceptionally well-organized, offering individual gear bins, large camera rinse tanks, and a dedicated camera table for photographers.
Cabin
Humboldt Explorer features 8 air-conditioned guest cabins, accommodating a maximum of 16 guests:
Every cabin is designed with comfort and privacy in mind, featuring ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, flat-screen TVs/media players, and ample storage for personal items.
2 Main Deck Cabins (Cabins 1 & 2)::
Located on the main deck, these cabins feature large windows providing plenty of natural light and excellent ocean views. Each cabin comes with two twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed upon request.
6 Deluxe Cabins (#3 - #8) :
Located on the lower deck, these cabins feature portholes to let in natural light. Each cabin is equipped with two twin beds that can be joined to form a queen-size bed, offering flexibility for couples or roommates.
Diving
3 dives per day + alternating additional sunset/night dives.
Usually 8D/7N diving trip will offer 18 - 20 dives in total.
Usually 2 dives are provided on the last diving day.
No dive will be provided on the day of disembarkation.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Divers must have AOW level with at least 100 logged dives.
Other Informations
- Nitrox：Available with an additional cost
- 15L Tanks：Limited available with an additional cost
- Technical Dive:Not available at the moment
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available, rate on request
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Satellite Wi-Fi ：Complimentary for all guests to use
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：By cash (USD) or credit cards.
- Crew Number：8, include 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Galapagos Sample Itinerary
Dat 1: Baltra
Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning (please make sure to land in Baltra not later than 11:30am). The dive guides will meet the guests at the airport between 11:00 am and 12 pm and escort them to the Galapagos liveaboard, Humboldt Explorer. Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, organize equipment and listen to the safety briefings.
Dat 2: Baltra North (2 Dives)
Equipement 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 Northern Islands (long transit).
Dat 3: Wolf Island (3 - 4 Dives)
10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Possible night dive.
Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks.
Night anchor at Wolf Island.
Dat 4: Wolf Island (2 Dives) + Darwin Island (2 Dives)
6:30 and 9:30 dives at Wolf Island and 2:00 and 4:30 dives at Darwin Island.
Sightings often include hammerheads, red-lipped batfish, eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks.
Dat 5: 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.
Dat 6: Wolf Island (3 Dives)
6:30, 9:00 and 11:00 dives, sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Long transit to Cousin’s Rock (20+ hours)
Dat 7: Cousin’s Rock (1-2 Dives)
6:30 and 9:30 dives (number of dives dependent on travel time from Wolf Island)
This is 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. Visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Darwin Centre on your own. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Return to the Humboldt Explorer at 8:30 pm.
Dat 8: Baltra
Depart the vessel by 9 am. Transfer back to the airport for flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.
Diving Logistics & Conditions
All dives aboard the Humboldt Explorer are offered at scheduled times, up to 4 times daily (weather & itinerary permitting). Schedules must comply with Galapagos National Park rules, allow for adequate surface intervals and enable the vessel to travel to different locations. Please note that Galapagos regulations limit the maximum depth for all dives to 130 feet (39 meters) with air and 110 feet (33 meters) with Nitrox. We usually do not dive deeper than 100 feet (30 meters). All dives are done from pangas (zodiacs).
Galapagos is famous for huge schools of hammerheads, but there is more to Galapagos than just its schooling sharks. You will be diving in a protected and healthy marine environment with an abundance of rare species including Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, mantas, mobulas, eagle rays, stingrays, penguins, orcas, dolphins, mola mola, marine iguanas, turtles, sea lions, butterflyfish, tuna, and pufferfish among many others.
Galapagos has two seasons. High season is regarded as July to November when the Humboldt current is at is maximum force, bringing upwellings of nutrients from the cold depths. This is your best opportunity to dive with whale sharks in Darwin and Wolf. In these months, the water is cooler, visibility is lower, currents can be stronger and the seas can be rough at times. The air temperature is cooler and evenings can be fresh.
The chances of seeing whale sharks are slim during the low season months of December through June. Other popular species, such as the scalloped hammerheads and large schools of fish are present year-round however, making the “low” season desirable if whale sharks are not on your must-see list. Temperatures are warmer and visibility is generally better.
Galapagos is a cold-water destination. Regular temperatures in Darwin and Wolf are 21-23°C (70-74°F) but can be warmer in the early months of the year. Thermoclines can dip to 13°C (54°F) in the Western Islands of Punta Vincente Roca and Cabo Douglas, which stay cooler year-round.
Due to the advanced nature of diving conditions in the Galapagos, divers should have extensive experience with currents, rough seas, and diving in thicker wetsuits. We strongly recommend a minimum of 60-100 logged dives in varied conditions. Anyone without adequate experience may not be able to make all offered dives, depending on conditions.
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- VAT and local taxes
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Alcoholic beverage
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Naturalist guide
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
- Wi-Fi
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Dinner ashore the night before disembarkation
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Nitrox fills
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Ecuador (Galapagos)
Best time for diving
There is no "wrong time" for Galapagos! There are two seasons in the Galapagos : The Manta season (Wet season, warmer water) - December to May, the Whale shark season (Dry season, cooler water) - June to November. Any time is a good time, as you'll see more species in Galapagos on a bad day than you see in most dive sites around the world on the very best day. However, Dive and Cruise team do recommend to visit Galapagos between mid June and November, as the chances of seeing whale sharks are definitely higher and the schools of hammerheads usually tend to be bigger in this period.
The average visibility is around 10 - 30 meters. Currents can be very strong at times, and the surface conditions can be choppy.
About temperatures
Air : Wet season (Dec - May) is between 23°C - 30°C, Dry season (Jun - Nov) between 21°C - 27°C. Evening temperatures can drop to just 15°C.
Sea : Wet season (Dec - May) is between 18°C - 26°C - with the western part of Galapagos being the coolest at 17°C -19°C. Dry season (Jun - Nov) between 17°C - 25°C - with the western part of Galapagos being the coolest at 15°C -18°C. Wolf and Darwin are usually between 24°C - 25°C all year.
Wetsuit Recommendation
Thermoclines are to be expected throughout the year and divers are advised to bring suitable thermal protection for all expected temperatures. We recommend 5mm - 7mm wetsuit with additional layers (shorty / skin-suit /vest / hood) for cooler waters and gloves for warmth and support in strong currents.
Diver requirement
Diving in Galapagos can be challenging even for experienced divers. Strong currents and tough conditions are not rare. Therefore, all liveaboards require divers to have at least AOW certification with minimum 50 logged dive. In addition, we strongly suggest divers to get some experience in strong currents and reduced visibility! You can find out more information about diving in the Galapagos Islands here : Galapagos
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Depends on the liveaboard you pick, the embarkation and disembarkation is either San Cristobal (SCY) or Baltra (GPS) in the Galápagos islands.
Guests need to take their international flights to Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), in mainland Ecuador at least one day before the embarkation.
Flights to the Galápagos Islands originate in Quito, making a quick stop at Guayaquil, then carrying on to the islands and do the reverse on the way back.
One the day of embarkation, please at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil one and a half hours (90 minutes) prior to departure for check-in. A Transit Control Card (also referred to as TCT card) is required for travel from mainland Ecuador to the Galápagos Islands. The cards are obtainable from the INGALA booths at Quito and Guayaquil Airports before checking in for your flight to the Galapagos, and cost 20 USD.
Upon arrival in Galápagos, passengers form a line to process passenger Passports and Park entrance fees in cash. Then you will meet the pickup crew outside of the airport door with a sign.
Visa Requirements
There is no visa requirement for most foreign visitors who carry passports with at least six months’ validity from their entry date. Please contact your nearest Ecuadorian embassy / consulate for the latest requirements.
Vaccinations
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for anyone arriving from regions where the disease is prevalent, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda (including airport transit).
Insurance Requirements
In addition to the mandatory Dive insurance, a Travel health insurance is a mandatory requirement for entry into Ecuador. All foreign tourists are required to have travel health insurance which covers the entire duration of their intended stay in the country. Traveller who are unable to provide proof of insurance may be denied entry.
Ban on plastic
Since 2018, single use, non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastics have been banned in Galapagos. Before travelling, please ensure that plastic packaging is removed from any items you are bringing with you.
Money Matters
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.
Drones
Tourists are NOT permitted to fly camera drones anywhere in the Galapagos Islands. Please refer to Drone Laws in the Galapagos Islands for more details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
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