9-DAY GALAPAGOS DIVING EXPLORATION

9-DAY GALAPAGOS DIVING EXPLORATION

9 DAYS

FROM $3.198

Trip type

Moderate adventure expeditionns in treeking, biking, rafting, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and diving in the Ecuatorian Andes, Amazon and the Galapagos Islands.
Active Adventure

Activity Level

Voyagers should be physically in good shape and be prepared for multiple hours of daily activities. Such as hiking, rafting, biking and canyoning and it will demand of a bit of experience in such activity.
Moderate to challenging

Service Level

Comfortable and appropriate accommodations, mostly local-won and with big personality, and mix of public and private transport especially with sea, train and flights.
Standard

Small Group Departure

Max. 16 / Av. 10
Or call +001 305 2805599

TRIP OVERVIEW

Discover the enchanted Galapagos Islands through this island-hopping diving excursion! The islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. It is such a magical place, travelers often have to be reminded to stay on their guard because the animals allow such intimate contact with them. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, this allowed them to evolve their unique features for countless millennia. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!

TRIP ACTIVITIES

Snorkeling
Swimming
Wildlife

Discover the enchanted Galapagos Islands through this island-hopping diving excursion! The islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. It is such a magical place, travelers often have to be reminded to stay on their guard because the animals allow such intimate contact with them. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, this allowed them to evolve their unique features for countless millennia. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!

Snorkeling
Swimming
Wildlife

Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00pm.

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.

Meals included: none.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz, a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. From here we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies. After this tour, you will continue by private vehicle to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with your local guide who will explain the following day’s itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and introduce yourself to this beautiful Island.

In the evening we will prepare the gear for you at our dive shop and get ready for the next day for our first diving stop in the beautiful waters of the Galapagos.

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

The North Seymour topography consists of gradual steps off the island shoreline declining 8 meters to a beautiful rock reef, before reaching the sandy bottom at 16 – 18 meters. Diving at Seymour provides the opportunity to swim with many white and black tip reef sharks, as well as being a favorite resting place for large numbers of green sea turtles. Though Seymour does not have the notoriety for hammerhead sharks, it is still possible to see small schools at both Seymour sites, swimming through the channel and around the point through the current. Large schools of barracuda, snapper and other reef fish are also in abundance, and the rock reef is an excellent place to search for the well-camouflaged octopi. A personal favorite however, are the schools of spotted eagle rays that glide through the channel along the sand, occasionally joined by devil and manta rays.

Travel Time: Approx 1 hour car and boat travel from Puerto Ayora.

Dive Difficulty: Seymour is a good place for beginners and experienced divers alike. Though the currents can be moderate to strong on occasion, it is on the whole suitable for people with limited experience. Drift dive.

MOSQUERA

Mosquera is located off the northern coast of Baltra and is very diverse. It is a wall dive with little current. The main attractions to this site are the frequent visits by Manta Rays. There is always plankton in the water, so the visibility is not fantastic, but they come so close it is not a problem. Juvenile Galapagos sharks, white tipped reef sharks and eagle rays are also common.

Travel Time: 45 min – 1 hour from Puerto Ayora by car and 30 Minutes by diving boat.

Dive Difficulty: Easy to intermediate due to the wall. The dive isn’t deep, but you have to watch your depth.

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Gordon Rocks is an extinct volcanic crater with a sandy bottom at 32 meters, and a wall drop off around the outside of around 65 meters. It has 3 exposed rocks that surround the crater and 3 pinnacles ranging from 5-6 meters under the surface along the northern edge of the crater, with one larger pinnacle approximately 21 meters below the surface in the center. The strong currents that frequent Gordon Rocks make it the most accessible home to schools of the famous hammerhead sharks. Schools of up to 50 sharks (or more if you are lucky) can be found circling the rocks through the current giving repeated views of the amazing creatures. White and black tip reef sharks also frequent the area as well as green sea turtles, sea lions, sting rays, eagle rays, large schools of barracuda and snapper and the occasional majestic manta ray or Mola Mola.

Travel Time: 45 min – 1 hour from Puerto Ayora.

Dive Difficulty: Though Gordon Rocks can be a calm and easy dive at times, it is famous for its currents that carry the hammerhead sharks. Therefore, it is best suited to advanced divers. Please ask for advice on booking if you have less than 30 dives experience.

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

In the morning, you will travel by speedboat to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel.
You will have this day at leisure to enjoy this amazing island at your own peace.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Leon Dormido is one of the well-known attractions not only local but also international, if you come to Galapagos you have to pass through Leon Dormido or popular with its scientific name Kicker Rock. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Island’s natural monument has become a spectacular site due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. It has some of the greatest diversity of marine life, located just one hour from the port. It has a depth in the channel of 14 meters to 18 meters. And to its sides, is it more than 40 meters. A very ideal place for diving with different kinds of sharks, including hammer heads, many kinds of fish, sea lions, rays, turtles and other marine life etc.

Travel Time: 40 min – from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. 

Dive Difficulty: Easy to intermediate due to the walls of Kicker Rock, The dive is not too deep, but you have to watch your depth. Sometimes there can be a bit of current, but most of the time there is good visibility.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

This morning, after breakfast, you will be met and transferred to a dock where you will take a quick boat ride to the nearby Isla Lobos. During this boat trip, you will observe a lot of sea life before even setting foot on the island. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour where you will have the chance to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions and sometimes sharks that all inhabit the island. The white coral beaches of San Cristobal are great to walk around, relax and swim in the shallow waters before you come back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Enjoy some more free time this morning before transferring to the airport of San Cristobal. From here, you will take a flight back to Ecuador’s mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for one more evening at leisure before saying goodbye.

Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

 

International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

Meals included: Breakfast.

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Comfortable land transportation. Fast public boat to move in between islands.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy:  2 nights in 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in the Galapagos.
  • Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 4 box lunches provide in the boat in between dives.

What is not included?

  • Single supplement $680.
  • International air (also applied to trans-border flights).
  • Domestic Flights: Quito-Galapagos-Quito (USD 535).
  • Extra meals no described in the program, drinks, estimate budget 200 USD.
  • INGALA transit card: USD 20.
  • Galapagos National Park fee (USD 100 per person).
  • Incidentals.
  • Mandatory Travel Insurance.
  • Airport taxes.
  • Tips or gratuities (recommended $10 per trip leader and dive master $2 for drivers NOTE: keep in mind that this is all per day per traveller).
  • Beverages.
  • Optional tours or optional admissions not listed above.

ITINERARY

Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00pm.

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.

Meals included: none.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz, a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. From here we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies. After this tour, you will continue by private vehicle to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with your local guide who will explain the following day’s itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and introduce yourself to this beautiful Island.

In the evening we will prepare the gear for you at our dive shop and get ready for the next day for our first diving stop in the beautiful waters of the Galapagos.

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

The North Seymour topography consists of gradual steps off the island shoreline declining 8 meters to a beautiful rock reef, before reaching the sandy bottom at 16 – 18 meters. Diving at Seymour provides the opportunity to swim with many white and black tip reef sharks, as well as being a favorite resting place for large numbers of green sea turtles. Though Seymour does not have the notoriety for hammerhead sharks, it is still possible to see small schools at both Seymour sites, swimming through the channel and around the point through the current. Large schools of barracuda, snapper and other reef fish are also in abundance, and the rock reef is an excellent place to search for the well-camouflaged octopi. A personal favorite however, are the schools of spotted eagle rays that glide through the channel along the sand, occasionally joined by devil and manta rays.

Travel Time: Approx 1 hour car and boat travel from Puerto Ayora.

Dive Difficulty: Seymour is a good place for beginners and experienced divers alike. Though the currents can be moderate to strong on occasion, it is on the whole suitable for people with limited experience. Drift dive.

MOSQUERA

Mosquera is located off the northern coast of Baltra and is very diverse. It is a wall dive with little current. The main attractions to this site are the frequent visits by Manta Rays. There is always plankton in the water, so the visibility is not fantastic, but they come so close it is not a problem. Juvenile Galapagos sharks, white tipped reef sharks and eagle rays are also common.

Travel Time: 45 min – 1 hour from Puerto Ayora by car and 30 Minutes by diving boat.

Dive Difficulty: Easy to intermediate due to the wall. The dive isn’t deep, but you have to watch your depth.

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Gordon Rocks is an extinct volcanic crater with a sandy bottom at 32 meters, and a wall drop off around the outside of around 65 meters. It has 3 exposed rocks that surround the crater and 3 pinnacles ranging from 5-6 meters under the surface along the northern edge of the crater, with one larger pinnacle approximately 21 meters below the surface in the center. The strong currents that frequent Gordon Rocks make it the most accessible home to schools of the famous hammerhead sharks. Schools of up to 50 sharks (or more if you are lucky) can be found circling the rocks through the current giving repeated views of the amazing creatures. White and black tip reef sharks also frequent the area as well as green sea turtles, sea lions, sting rays, eagle rays, large schools of barracuda and snapper and the occasional majestic manta ray or Mola Mola.

Travel Time: 45 min – 1 hour from Puerto Ayora.

Dive Difficulty: Though Gordon Rocks can be a calm and easy dive at times, it is famous for its currents that carry the hammerhead sharks. Therefore, it is best suited to advanced divers. Please ask for advice on booking if you have less than 30 dives experience.

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

In the morning, you will travel by speedboat to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel.
You will have this day at leisure to enjoy this amazing island at your own peace.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Leon Dormido is one of the well-known attractions not only local but also international, if you come to Galapagos you have to pass through Leon Dormido or popular with its scientific name Kicker Rock. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Island’s natural monument has become a spectacular site due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. It has some of the greatest diversity of marine life, located just one hour from the port. It has a depth in the channel of 14 meters to 18 meters. And to its sides, is it more than 40 meters. A very ideal place for diving with different kinds of sharks, including hammer heads, many kinds of fish, sea lions, rays, turtles and other marine life etc.

Travel Time: 40 min – from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. 

Dive Difficulty: Easy to intermediate due to the walls of Kicker Rock, The dive is not too deep, but you have to watch your depth. Sometimes there can be a bit of current, but most of the time there is good visibility.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

This morning, after breakfast, you will be met and transferred to a dock where you will take a quick boat ride to the nearby Isla Lobos. During this boat trip, you will observe a lot of sea life before even setting foot on the island. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour where you will have the chance to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions and sometimes sharks that all inhabit the island. The white coral beaches of San Cristobal are great to walk around, relax and swim in the shallow waters before you come back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Enjoy some more free time this morning before transferring to the airport of San Cristobal. From here, you will take a flight back to Ecuador’s mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for one more evening at leisure before saying goodbye.

Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

 

International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

Meals included: Breakfast.

PHOTOS FROM OUR GALLERY

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Comfortable land transportation. Fast public boat to move in between islands.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy:  2 nights in 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in the Galapagos.
  • Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 4 box lunches provide in the boat in between dives.

What is not included?

  • Single supplement $680.
  • International air (also applied to trans-border flights).
  • Domestic Flights: Quito-Galapagos-Quito (USD 535).
  • Extra meals no described in the program, drinks, estimate budget 200 USD.
  • INGALA transit card: USD 20.
  • Galapagos National Park fee (USD 100 per person).
  • Incidentals.
  • Mandatory Travel Insurance.
  • Airport taxes.
  • Tips or gratuities (recommended $10 per trip leader and dive master $2 for drivers NOTE: keep in mind that this is all per day per traveller).
  • Beverages.
  • Optional tours or optional admissions not listed above.

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About YOUR ADVENTURE

TRIP DETAILS

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER: It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions, it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention of specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

FLIGHT TIME: 2:45 hours each way.

DRIVING TIME: 30 to 45 minutes avarage.

BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2 – 3 hours.

SEASON: All year.

PROVINCE: Pichincha and Galapagos.

TERRITORY: Quito City and Galapagos Islands National Park.

ALTITUDE: From sea level to 600m (1900ft).

WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC
WATER TEMPERATURE: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF

AVG. TEMP. : Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenge. This program is located in The Galapagos Islands, includes scuva diving activities that request PADI certification, Open water or Advance.

GEAR: BCD, diving Suit 5 mil, Mask & Snorkel, scuba fins,  tanks for each dive.

ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.

MEALS: Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free people are very welcome in our trip, our guides are always ready to coordinate with chefs and restaurants for substitute meals for them, as Ecuador is very well known for its great diversity of gastronomy.

YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.

In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.

SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest, and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.

HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.

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