Galapagos Cruise
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Considered one of the best diving spots in the world, Darwin and Wolf Islands are massive volcanic rocks that are home to the world’s greatest fish biomass. The fascinating marine wildlife and hosts of vibrantly colored tropical fish here can be experienced on 8-day/7-night, Saturday-to-Saturday cruises on board the M/V Tiburon Explorer. On this diving tour, you will get to dive with sea lions, penguins, whale sharks, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, turtles, hammerhead sharks, iguanas, golden rays, seals, and many other sea creatures. Full days of exhilarating activities typically involve up to four dives daily, when you’ll have an abundance of chances to sight manta rays and marvel at entire legions of hammerhead sharks.
“Thanks so much again! Surtrek, a realiable travel partner and service provider of Operation Earth for our Galapagos Expedition program!”
AM: In the morning, you will fly from Quito or Guayaquil (on the Ecuadorian mainland) to Baltra Island, which is the heart of the Galapagos archipelago and the main point of entrance to this natural paradise. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will need to pay the national park entry fee, which goes to protecting both the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve. A member of the Surtrek team will then welcome you and accompany you to your ship, the Tiburon Explorer.
PM: Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, and listen to the briefings. After the briefings, the guests will do a check-out dive at Punta Carrion. At Punta Carrion, the dives are between 40 and 90 feet. During these, you are likely to see Whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, Eagle rays and Marbled rays, Scorpionfish, sea turtles, and sea lions. After dinner, the vessel will depart to the next scheduled destination.
AM: This morning, we will take two dives off Baltra Island, formed by volcanic tuff. The dive sites in these areas are characterized by their eroded surfaces covered by soft corals and gorgonians. Highlights include nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, sea lions, eagle rays, and schooling fish.
PM: After a dry landing on North Seymour Island, we will take a short walk along its coast, where you will encounter Swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and Cliff crabs. This part of Seymour Island is also known for being a major nesting site for Blue-footed boobies and one of the largest colonies of Magnificent frigatebirds (a species different from the Great frigatebird). As you enjoy this relaxing hike around various nesting sites, you can also spot both of the endemic species of iguanas: marine iguanas and land iguanas. Depart for Wolf Island (long transit)
AM/PM: Wolf Island, named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, is an extinct volcano that reaches 253 m. (780 ft.) above sea level and lies some 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted however birdlife, including red-footed boobies and vampire finch, may be spotted from the boat. For our dives here we choose from a selection of reefs and walls, most having typically medium to strong currents where the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling pelagics are the main draw with sightings of hammerheads, white tips, and Galapagos sharks at each site. During the season (May-November) whale sharks may also be seen here. Divers should also be on the lookout for red-lipped batfish, barracudas, moray eels, and dolphins! This evening, we’ll possibly go on a night dive for a different underwater perspective.
AM/PM: Darwin Island, an extinct volcano reaching 165 m. (490 ft.) above sea level, was named in honor of naturalist Charles Darwin. It is amongst the smallest island within the Galapagos Archipelago and like Wolf Island, no land visits are permitted. Perhaps the most famed dive site is “Darwin’s Arch” which provides an amazing drift dive along the wall at an average depth of just 9 meters. Medium to strong currents are to be expected but bring with them hammerheads, black tips, silky and Galapagos sharks – and in large numbers! Schools of jacks are a common sight, along with turtles, angelfish, and moray eels. Occasional sightings of tiger sharks, manta rays, and bottlenose dolphins make for a thrilling time spent here. Whale sharks may also be seen between May-November.
Today provides another chance to explore the world-famous water of waters of Darwin Island, where sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Transit to Cabo Douglas (12 hours)
AM: Located in the most nutrient-rich waters of Fernandina Island, Cape Douglas offers an amazing drift dive for encountering marine iguanas, and penguins. Fur seals and sea lions also mingle with snacking marine iguanas, and penguins are likely to zoom past you. This morning we will make two (2) dives at Cabo Douglas.
PM: Alternatively known as "The Ice Box", due to its chilling thermoclines, Punta Vicente Ramon Roca – off the northwest coast of Isabela Island – offers a wall drift dive, along which mola mola can be spotted. The occasional Port Jackson shark may also be seen as well as the endemic Camotillo (White-spotted sand bass). Yet Punta Vicente Roca is not just for the larger marine life but is also a fantastic place to spot pacific seahorses, frogfish, octopus, nudibranchs, flatworms, and a variety of sponges. We stick to a maximum depth of 30 m. (100 ft.) with an average of 18 m. (60 ft.) whilst enjoying some milder currents! After dinner, the vessel will depart to the next scheduled destination: Cousins Rock (10 hours).
AM: This morning we will make two (2) dives at Cousins Rock, which is another famous Galapagos dive site. Located northeast of the coast of Santiago Island and north of Bartolome Island, Cousins Rock offers the opportunity to sight seahorses, frogfish, and nudibranchs. Sea lions, rays, and pelagics are also common encounters. With a depth range from 3 – 27 meters (10 – 90 feet), Cousins Rock has an average visibility of 9 – 18 meters and a moderate current from the southeast. Surge is moderate in the shallow areas.
PM: This afternoon we will arrive at either Itabaca Channel or Puerto Ayora, both on Santa Cruz Island. Lunch will be served while transiting to Santa Cruz (3 hours), after which time guests will disembark at 1 p.m. to go ashore for a private bus tour to see the beautiful Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. This will include a scenic view over Santa Cruz and a giant tortoise reserve. After the hike, guests can walk through the town of Puerto Ayora, shop, and visit the Fausto Llerena tortoise-breeding center at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Return to the Tiburon Explorer at 8:30 p.m.
AM: Concluding this amazing experience in the Galapagos Islands, you will be transferred by 9 am to the Baltra Island airport for your return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland. Enjoy your last look back at the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with inspiring natural wonders.
| Room | Double |
| 8 Days | US$ 7,195 PP |
| Room | Double | DoubleJ |
| 8 Days | US$ 6,995 PP | US$ 7,195 PP |
| Room | Duoble |
| 8 Days | US$ 6,995 PP |
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“I enjoyed the scenery and the exotic wildlife on the islands very much. The airport transfers in both directions went smoothly and the service on board was very good.”