Galapagos Islands Dive Adventure
This small group adventure scheduled for May 2027 showcases the Galapagos Islands from land, rather than liveaboard. The itinerary covers three islands, Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal, combining up to 13 boat dives with time ashore to see giant tortoises, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies.
Diving takes in Kicker Rock's volcanic channel, the cleaning stations and shark encounters around Floreana and Mosquera, and Isla Tortuga off Isabela, where hammerhead sharks and manta rays are regular visitors.
With a maximum of 12 guests, this tour promises to be an intimate exploration, suiting those who either don't have the experience to join a liveaboard, or those that prefer to be primarily land-based.
At Kicker Rock, a channel through the rock draws manta rays, Galapagos sharks, sea lions, green turtles and the occasional hammerhead. From Santa Cruz, the daily programme covers the cleaning station at Floreana, shark encounters at Mosquera and Seymour Channel, and if schedules allow, the well-known Gordon Rocks. From Isabela, dives focus on Isla Tortuga, a wall dive regularly producing hammerhead sharks and manta rays, with mola mola and orca occasionally sighted.
13 days from £5,460 inc. flights, transfers, accommodation, diving, tanks, weights, land excursions, Galapagos Park fee & tourist card
Send Enquiry Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999
- Holiday type Group Tour
- Departure 6 May 2027
- Recommended Dive Experience Advanced Open Water with 25+ dives
- Group Size 12 guests
Itinerary Highlights
- Island-hop between Santa Cruz, Isabela & San Cristobal
- Dive Kicker Rock's dramatic volcanic channel for Galapagos sharks, manta rays & sea lions
- Explore Isla Tortuga, one of the archipelago's best-known sites for hammerhead sharks
- See Galapagos giant tortoises roaming free at the Santa Cruz highlands reserve
- Enjoy up to 13 dives with plenty of land-based wildlife time built in
- Requires only 25 dives experience
Day-to-day itinerary
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Day 1
Fly out to mainland Ecuador
On arrival, a shuttle transfer takes guests to an overnight airport hotel ahead of the flight on to the Galapagos the next day.
If you prefer to arrange your own flights from the UK or elsewhere, please simply advise your RegalDive travel consultant.
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Day 2
Fly on to the Galapagos & settle in on San Cristobal
A short flight from the mainland arrives in San Cristobal later the same day, where guests are met and transferred to the Casa Opuntia hotel or similar. With spectacular views of the ocean, this sustainable hotel is the ideal place to start your Galapagos adventure. Enjoy the outdoor pool to relax after your journey, and explore the local area on foot via boardwalk.
The rest of the day's free, with the interpretation centre, the mangrove beaches of Loberia and Darwin Bay all within easy reach without a guide.
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Day 3
Two dives at the dramatic Kicker Rock
A 40-minute boat ride reaches Kicker Rock, a volcanic pinnacle rising almost 150 metres above the Pacific. A channel cut through the rock is often home to manta rays, Galapagos sharks, sea lions, green turtles and marine iguanas, with a chance of hammerheads too. Lunch is taken on board between the two dives, before returning to San Cristobal in the afternoon.
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Day 4
Speedboat to Santa Cruz & a visit to the giant tortoise reserve
A 2-hour speedboat crossing reaches Santa Cruz, where bags are dropped at the hotel before heading to the highlands to see giant tortoises roaming free. The rest of the day's free to explore Tortuga Bay, the Charles Darwin Research Station or the volcanic fissures at Grietas.
Accommodation is at Hotel La Isla or similar. Ideally located in Puerto Ayora, this intimate yet modern hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the region.
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Days 5-8
Four days & eight dives from Santa Cruz
A daily programme of dive sites covers the cleaning station at Floreana, shark encounters at Mosquera and Seymour Channel, and, if schedules allow, the well-known Gordon Rocks.
Sightings can include hammerhead, black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, manta and eagle rays, yellowfin tuna and large schools of king angelfish, with the chance of predators feeding on baitballs of salema and sardine.
Breakfast and lunch are included daily.
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Day 9
Boat transfer to Isabela & diving at Isla Tortuga
A 2-hour boat crossing reaches Isabela for a 3-night stay. Diving continues at Isla Tortuga, known locally as Turtle Rock, where a wall dive regularly turns up hammerhead sharks and manta rays, with the rare chance of mola mola or orca.
Accommodation is at Wooden House Lodge or similar. Just three minutes from the pier in the village of Puerto Villamil, this characterful boutique lodge is known for its attentive staff and restaurant serving fresh local and international cuisine.
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Day 10
A second day diving Isla Tortuga
Two more dives at Isla Tortuga extend the chances of encountering the site's larger marine life.
Breakfast is included, with lunch and dinner at own expense.
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Day 11
A free day on Isabela
Optional tours are available, including a visit to the Los Tuneles lava formations, a hike up Sierra Negra, or a trip to the Minas de Azufre volcanic caldera.
Alternatively, explore Concha de Perla, one of the finest snorkelling lagoons in the Galápagos, which is minutes from your accommodation. The waters around Isabela offer encounters with Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, seahorses and an abundance of reef fish year-round.
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Day 12
Return to Santa Cruz & fly back to mainland Ecuador
A speedboat crossing back to Santa Cruz connects with a domestic flight to the mainland. Guests wishing to extend their trip can add time in Quito or the Ecuadorian Amazon - advise your RegalDive travel consultant if you'd like to find out more.
Please note that, depending on your international flight schedules, a final night at an airport hotel may be required.
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Day 13
Arrive home
The return flight lands back in the UK; the end of your epic Galapagos Islands diving adventure.
Please note that conditions in the Galapagos can be demanding. Currents can be strong at certain sites, boat journeys can be choppy, and certain dive sites carry a minimum requirement of 25 logged dives.
Enquire about Galapagos Islands Dive Adventure
Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999 Send Enquiry