A dive trip to the Galapagos Islands is less of a vacation and more of an expedition. It requires a vessel designed not just for comfort, but for the specific demands of these remote, current-rich waters. Since 2010, the Galapagos Sky liveaboard has served as exactly that: a 100-foot, steel-hulled expedition yacht engineered exclusively for diving in this unique archipelago. Owned and operated by Peter Hughes, a respected name in liveaboard diving, the yacht combines a legacy of operational excellence with a deeply knowledgeable crew. This focus creates an environment where divers can fully engage with the Galapagos experience, supported by a vessel built for resilience, safety, and immersion.
The Galapagos Sky's liveaboard cruises are structured to provide comprehensive access to the islands' most significant underwater realms. Its classic 7-night voyage dedicates substantial time to the far northern islands of Wolf and Darwin, areas renowned for their high concentration of sharks and other pelagic life. The tour is balanced with exploration of the western islands, where divers can experience unique encounters such as marine iguanas feeding underwater at Cabo Douglas and the chance to see oceanic sunfish at their cleaning stations. The schedule allows for up to 4 dives per day, and unlike many Galapagos operators, includes a night dive, offering a different perspective on the marine environment. Guided land excursions to islands like Santa Cruz provide essential context, connecting the underwater adventure to the islands' iconic terrestrial ecology.
Every detail of the Galapagos Sky is configured with the diver in mind. The liveaboard accommodates a maximum of 16 guests in 8 well-appointed, en-suite cabins, supported by a dedicated crew of 11, ensuring attentive and personal service. The dive deck is designed for efficiency, with ample gear storage and camera facilities. Post-dive, the focus shifts to recovery and camaraderie in spacious common areas. Complimentary nitrox is standard for certified divers, extending bottom time for repeated exploration. The experience is all-inclusive, covering local alcoholic beverages and chef-prepared meals.
Operating in a UNESCO World Heritage site and a vast marine sanctuary brings significant responsibility. The crew’s strong familiarity with Galapagos National Park protocols ensures dives are conducted with minimal environmental impact and maximum respect for the wildlife. Guest safety in these dynamic conditions is paramount, underscored by the inclusion of valuable safety equipment like Dive Alert signaling devices, safety sausages (SMBs), and Nautilus Lifeline GPS units for each buddy pair. This proactive approach, combined with detailed briefings from experienced guides, fosters a environment where divers can feel secure and informed, ready to engage with the challenging conditions that make Galapagos liveaboard diving so rewarding.
Choosing the Galapagos Sky is not about selecting the most luxurious option; it is about choosing a liveaboard vessel dedicated to facilitating a profound and authentic Galapagos experience. It excels in the fundamentals: reliable operation, expert local guidance, a comfortable and functional layout, and a team committed to exceptional service. This combination has earned it consistent praise from the diving community and recognition such as Dive The World's Operator of the Year award. For scuba divers seeking a focused, well-executed expedition to one of the planet's most extraordinary marine ecosystems, the Galapagos Sky liveaboard represents a trusted and purpose-built choice.
There are 8 en-suite cabins with private bathrooms. There are 4 Master cabins with TV and DVD on the upper deck with twin beds side by side that can be combined to make a double bed. The 4 Deluxe cabins with twin beds are on the lower deck.
All the cabins have:
Air-conditioning
Windows on upper deck, portholes on lower deck
Bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
Hand basin, toiletries, hairdryer, towels and bathrobes
Reading lights
Bedside cabinet and mirror
Fire detector and alarm system
Fire extinguisher and life jackets
2 and 3-flat pin 110-220V electricity
Bedding and luggage space
No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 8 - hot water
Central Galapagos, Wolf & Darwin
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, seals/sea lions, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Isla Lobos, Bartolome, Cousins Rock, Wolf Island, Darwin Island, Cabo Douglas (iguana dive), Punta Vicente Roca and Isla Pinzon, plus 2 land tours
Day 1
You’ll step aboard Galapagos Sky in Baquerizo Moreno Harbour, where the friendly crew and your fellow guests are ready to begin your unforgettable Galapagos diving adventure. After a warm welcome and a briefing on the yacht’s features, it’s time for your first dive near Los Lobos Island - an introduction to the region’s playful sea lions and seals. When you return, a delicious dinner will be waiting.
Core Days
Most days on this liveaboard trip include 4 dives, with 2 or 3 dives on days spent cruising between islands. Before each dive, your guide will provide a clear briefing on the site’s layout, current patterns, and the marine life you can expect to see, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every underwater experience.
From the moment you descend at Wolf Island, the underwater world comes alive. Vast schools of scalloped hammerheads glide in mesmerizing patterns along the rock faces, while sleek Galapagos sharks patrol the deep blue. Powerful currents at spots like The Landslide sweep you past bustling cleaning stations where marble rays and green turtles gather. Keep your eyes open - silky sharks may dart by unexpectedly, and the elusive mola mola often drifts silently in the sunlight.
At Darwin Island, the underwater show intensifies. Beneath the iconic Darwin’s Arch, enormous whale sharks - some stretching over 12 meters - appear like ghostly giants, especially from June to November when pregnant females grace the waters. Near the surface, swirling schools of bigeye trevally create shimmering silver storms, weaving through playful sea lions and curious Galapagos sharks. As you ascend, watch hammerheads form striking silhouettes against the sunlit waves.
Cabo Douglas reveals a truly unique experience: diving alongside marine iguanas, the only lizards on Earth that explore beneath the waves. These fascinating creatures munch on algae-covered rocks, occasionally expelling saltwater like miniature dragons.
Diving at Isla Pinzón offers an exhilarating mix of dynamic currents and abundant marine life, making it a favorite among experienced divers. The island’s steep underwater walls and rocky ledges create thrilling drift dives where schools of hammerhead sharks often patrol. You’ll encounter impressive gatherings of reef fish, snappers, jacks, and colorful parrotfish, dancing through vibrant coral gardens. Keep an eye out for playful sea lions weaving effortlessly through the currents and curious green sea turtles gliding nearby. The nutrient-rich waters attract pelagic visitors like silky sharks and occasional manta rays, adding to the excitement. With strong currents and spectacular visibility, Isla Pinzón promises a dive full of energy and unforgettable encounters.
Finally, Punta Vicente Roca blends intimate macro encounters with spectacular ocean life. Drift with curious bottlenose dolphins or observe the quirky red-lipped batfish hopping along sandy bottoms. The highlight awaits in a shadowy cave where white-tip reef sharks lie quietly, breathing steadily in their hidden sanctuary.
On the final full day of your cruise, you’ll have the chance to explore the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, or visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre in Puerto Ayora, where you can learn more about the islands’ unique wildlife and conservation efforts. You’ll return to Galapagos Sky by 7 pm.
Final Day
On the final morning, after breakfast, you may choose to visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the history of the Galapagos or spend some time browsing local shops. A late-morning transfer to San Cristóbal Airport marks the end of your Galapagos adventure.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Dining on board the Galapagos Sky liveaboard is an important part of the overall experience and takes place in the air-conditioned restaurant & buffet dining service on the main deck. There are 3 meals per day scheduled around the dives, with breakfast served before your first dive. The food is a set menu each week, so the kitchen can cook the dishes to perfection. These include a variety of warming soups, meat dishes, seafood, salads and desserts.
Ecuadorian and American cuisine main meal dishes.
Snacks are provided throughout the day.
Coffee, tea, drinking water, soft drinks, beer, spirits and wine are all provided free of charge.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free dietary requirements, seafood- and dairy intolerance can be catered. Please send advanced notice.
Cuisine examples:
• Fresh fish in coconut sauce, with red wine, rice and lentils.
• Tortilla Española with Creole sauce, peanut sauce and yellow rice.
• BBQ chicken with American potatoes, cheese sauce and fresh vegetables.
"Crew members go above and beyond in helping you gear up for dives and even removing the gear after a dive. The food was extremely delicious as well on board. All crew work as a team to ensure you have the best experience." - Rod Singh, Trinidad and Tobago., 20 July 2022 ...
"I recently was on Galapagos Sky with my father. It was a great liveaboard, and a great location. I definitely recommend it." - Adrien Simard, France., 25 November 2019 ...
"The liveaboard Galapagos Sky was amazing - comfortable, efficiently laid out. The diving was superb, we saw everything we wanted (penguins, Molas, iguanas, whalesharks, hammerhead, and am forgetting some :) The crew on the boat was great - funny, entertaining when needed, safe and pro when under water. attentive to peoples needs." - Yann Renoux, France., 12 December 2017 ...
"Staff/Crew amazing. Diving amazing. Boat comfortable. Needs a little fumigation but otherwise nice, clean and very nice diving deck." - Arianne Lamy, France., 13 December 2017 ...
"All the information was easy to find on the Dive The World website. Everything was quick and clear. I do not see any reason for further improvement." - Victoria Thwaite, Russia., 14 August 2017 ...
"Galapagos Sky is very comfortable. Great food. Very effective staff. Very good divemasters." - Joseph Backer, U.S.A., 31 December 2016 ...
"Most of the staff were great and work hard. Well organized spacious boat with experience dive guides. Good food. However the logistics of the first day nearly spoilt our trip as we didn't start sailing till day after a a scheduled departure! Not something you'd expect when paying top dollar!" - Alena Rossini, Singapore, 19 October 2015 ...
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: Galapagos is a popular cruise destination with limited liveaboard spaces. We recommend you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Dive experience: A minimum of 50-100 logged dives is recommended, with previous experience of strong currents, plus the ability to remove gear in water and to get into small boats in choppy seas. Nitrox certification prior to the cruise is also highly recommended, as is recent dive experience within 6 months prior to the departure date. Divers without nitrox certification will be required to hire a private dive guide. Cruise is not suitable for divers under the age of 15 years old.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, local beer, transfers to the boat from the airport , dives (as detailed in the trips above), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (from 1 Jan 2026), experienced English-speaking divemasters (up to 8 divers per DM), 12 liter tanks (DIN & int. compatible), weights and weightbelts, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (7 nights USD250), dive computer, diving insurance, Galapagos National Park entrance fee USD200 to be paid in advance, hyperbaric chamber fee USD35 to be paid in advance, fuel surcharge USD150 per week to be paid in advance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Imported alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD200 per week), 15 liter tank rental (USD60 per week). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: Galapagos Sky's liveaboard diving cruises depart from San Cristobal every Sunday afternoon. Boarding is at noon. Guests fly into Ecuador and take a connecting flight, through Guayaquil or Quito, to San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. Guayaquil is recommended with cheaper prices and better-timed connections. You will need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito before flying on to the Galapagos. To ensure easy flight connections, a 2 night stop-over is recommended. If overnighting in Galapagos you will stay in Santa Cruz or San Cristobal. Baltra has no accommodation.
The last dive of the trip will be at around 11 am on the second last day; then the yacht returns to port. Check out on the final day is at 9 am. On the return flight to the mainland you will probably need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito since most international flights depart too early to make the connection possible. The flight arrives in Guayaquil (and then Quito) in the afternoon. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
We will place your domestic flight requirements with the liveaboard operator who is responsible for booking the flights. We request your patience with this process since there are often waiting lists and slow confirmations of availability. You must inform us whether you are flying into Guayaquil or Quito before domestic flights can be considered. If you wish to extend your stay in the Galapagos Islands to enjoy land tours please decide that early in the booking process to ensure flight availability.
For more details, including airlines, see our Galapagos travel information section.
Non-diver rate: None.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 65% of the published price.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Half charter is equivalent to pay for 7 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise in a Deluxe cabin free of charge (total 8+ guests). The offer excludes fees and taxes.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 14 guests and 2 additional persons can join the cruise in a Deluxe cabin free of charge.
Add-on package: The allure of the Galapagos extends far beyond its coral reefs and pelagic highways. The strange and wonderful land creatures are an integral part of the archipelago's story. To appreciate the full scope, we recommend adding a post-dive wildlife safari. Choose from 3, 4, or 7-night non-diving liveaboard programs that voyage to exceptional terrestrial sites. In the company of a professional naturalist guide, with supporting lectures and resources, you'll gain an invaluable perspective on the forces that shaped this living laboratory.
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