Humboldt Explorer

Liveaboard Information

Nitrox

Please note that Nitrox is highly recommended due to the depths and lengths of dives at Wolf and Darwin. A diver on Air will not be able to complete all 4 dives at Wolf & Darwin.  Nitrox certification cards must be presented to our Dive Guides on board to be able to dive Nitrox.

Overnights

We encourage divers to arrive and stay on the Ecuador mainland 2 nights before travelling onto the Galápagos. You are travelling a long way on the trip of a lifetime, and we want you to join your liveaboard rested and hydrated. In addition, in case your luggage is delayed for any reason, we also recommend 2 nights.

Guayaquil is the best option, as the internal flights are slightly less expensive and most internal flights departing from Quito stop in Guayaquil on the way. Also, Quito is at slight altitude, so you may not find it as restful to overnight in this city to recover from a flight. However, Quito may be the best option if you are extending your travel on the Ecuador mainland.

An overnight in the city is always required on the return due to international flight times, in case of internal flight delay.

Your final schedule will be tailored according to flight seat availability at the time of booking. If you would like to make your arrangements for more travel on mainland Ecuador, we can tailor the international flights to fit your schedule where available.

Extend your stay? With so much to discover in the Galápagos, we recommend an extension on Santa Cruz Island at the Hotel Silberstein in Puerto Ayora, home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Contact us to find out more.

Itineraries

Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain. Itineraries generally start and end from San Cristobal Island and include diving on Darwin and Wolf.

Diving in the Galápagos - Liveaboards

The diving in Galápagos is not for novice divers. Before attempting to dive in Galápagos, you should be completely comfortable in the water and comfortable with all aspects of your equipment. Having experience of diving in cold water with a thicker wetsuit and hood, as well as experience of diving in strong currents, up currents and down currents is highly recommended. Experience in mixed surface conditions, mixed currents and varying water temperatures, proficient use of a DSMB and the ability to cope in buddy pairs or on your own should you become temporarily separated, is imperative.

Regaldive advise that guests booking on to a Galápagos liveaboard should be minimum PADI Advanced or equivalent and have more than 50 logged dives. Humboldt Explorer recommend divers to have logged 100+ dives.

Water Temperatures

The water in the Galápagos is relatively cold, ranging from 15–26ºC between May and November and 20–26ºC between December and June. Divers are highly recommended to wear a minimum full 7mm wetsuit or semi-dry with a hood and vest, or 5mm layers.

Visibility

The visibility in the Galápagos is often limited, due to the high nutrient content of the water. Visibility can be as low as 4m and as high as 30m, but the average is 15m. Visibility varies between dive sites and with the time of day, and can even change during a dive. The visibility at Darwin & Wolf tends to be higher than in the Southern islands.

Diving from Pangas

Diving in the Galápagos is conducted from small boats called pangas. The currents in Galápagos are strong, so it is important the divers enter the water together as a group.

The majority of dive sites are small islands that break the surface of the water and then taper down. Because of this, it is impossible to bring the dive yacht directly over the dive site.

Divers suit-up on the main yacht before stepping over to the panga. The panga then approaches the dive site and the divers back-roll into the water.

Diving Requirements

A mandatory check dive will be required of every diver on the first day of the charter, regardless of diving certification or experience. Every dive in the Galápagos will be guided – this is a requirement of the Galápagos National Park. Please note that, due to frequently strong currents, it is mandatory for each diver to carry a DSMB and small light on all dives. A method for attracting attention through noise and reflective light, plus a system such as EPIRB is highly recommended; some of these items can be hired or will be offered as part of your liveaboard.

Please note for Humboldt Explorer: All divers must carry a DiveAlert, a surface signalling device and an electronic beacon while diving (all available on board).