GALAPAGOS SKY

(7 customer reviews)

30m / 99ft MAX 16 NITROX PADI WIFI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 776

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE SPECIAL OFFERS APPLY

At a glance:

Cruises central Galapagos, Wolf & Darwin
2018 Operator of the Year
Dive The World Gold Range product
Complimentary local alcohol
Dive Alert, SMB, GPS for each buddy pair
Steel mono-hulled boat

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TRIP REPORT

The Galapagos Sky operates under the experienced hand of Peter A. Hughes to conduct 7 night Galapagos Islands liveaboard cruises around the best dive sites of the archipelago. Its quality is underscored by being the recipient of Dive The World's 2018 Operator of the Year award.

Galapagos Sky is a steel mono-hulled motor vessel of over 100ft (30m) in length, designed and furnished to provide a spacious and comfortable liveaboard experience. Departing every Sunday, you can take full advantage of the complimentary nitrox for EANx-certified divers and marvel at the life underwater at the prime dive sites of Darwin and Wolf. 2 morning land tours to Santa Cruz and San Cristobal are also included in your Ecuador liveaboard charter. Uniquely among the liveaboards here, Galapagos Sky includes in its itinerary a scuba dive with marine iguanas. Others may offer only a snorkelling experience.

Your safety is carefully assured at these remote islands with the free provision of valuable surface safety equipment for all customers. These include Dive Alert signaling devices, safety sausages and a mini GPS for every buddy pair.

Up to 16 divers can be accommodated on Galapagos Sky in 8 en-suite cabins, evenly divided between Deluxe cabins on the lower deck and Master cabins on the upper deck. A 2009 restoration means good quality finishings throughout. All locally available alcoholic drinks are included in the price and the boat is well-equipped with full entertainment facilities.

So if you are planning to visit the Galapagos Islands and want to enjoy the diving cruise of a lifetime on a roomy, comfortable boat and with a trusted name in liveaboards, then Galapagos Sky is a great choice for you.

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 - 9 / 10 - hot water

Central Galapagos, Wolf & Darwin (11 Days / 10 Nights - 35 Dives)

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, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities:

Day 1
You will be met at Baltra airport and transferred in less than 5 minutes to the boarding dock. Here the Galapagos Sky liveaboard and crew await you and the other guests that will be joining your unforgettable Galapagos diving safari. A briefing will introduce you to the boat and its amenities, followed by a check dive at Baltra GPS - your first taste of diving in the islands! Dinner will be waiting for you when you return to the boat.

Days 2-10
Most days of the trip will feature 4 dives, otherwise 2 or 3 dives when cruising between islands. The 1st dive is right after breakfast which is served at 07:30 hrs. Every dive is introduced by a detailed dive briefing to explain in detail the topography and the current directions of the dive sites, as well as the underwater fauna that you will encounter while underwater.
Be ready for a lot of shark action! Hammerheads, silky sharks and reef sharks are all possible encounters, but perhaps you will be even more surprised by the schools of fish that will often share the site with you. You may see barracudas, tunas, snappers, and even red lipped batfish during the night dives. When you dive at Bartolome you can also see penguins and enjoy a land tour to experience amazing views from the hill.
Don't worry if you miss a shot as there will be more chances during the 2nd morning dive before lunch and also on the 3rd dive in the mid afternoon. Make sure not to miss the 4th dive (night dive) to witness the change in behavior of diurnal fish, nocturnal critters and sleeping spotted rays laying on the sandy bottoms. Uniquely among the liveaboards here, Galapagos Sky includes in its itinerary a scuba dive with marine iguanas. Others may offer only a snorkelling experience.
Meals always include a warm soup, which is a blessing, especially on the colder water dives. Main dishes include fresh seafood and meat dishes prepared in both Ecuadorian and American styles. During the vacation there will also be a BBQ night.
On the last full day of the cruise you can also enjoy a visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat or the Charles Darwin Research Centre in Puerto Ayora where you will find tons of interesting info about the Galapagos. You will be back on Galapagos Sky by 19:00 hrs.

Day 11
On the last day of your tour after breakfast you have the chance for either a morning visit to the Interpretation Center to know about the history of Galapagos, or just do a bit of shopping while in town. A late morning transfer to the San Cristobal airport brings your Galapagos adventure to a close.
Note: this cruise can run in reverse so please double check the port details above.

Central Galapagos, Wolf & Darwin (8 Days / 7 Nights - 24 Dives)

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, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

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 will be met at San Cristobal airport and transferred in less than 20 minutes to the Baquerizo Moreno harbour. Here the Galapagos Sky liveaboard and crew await you and the other guests that will be joining your unforgettable Galapagos diving safari. A briefing will introduce you to the boat and its amenities, followed by a check dive near Los Lobos island - your first taste of diving with sea lions and seals! Dinner will be waiting for you when you return to the boat.

Days 2-7
Most days of the trip will feature 4 dives, otherwise 2 or 3 dives when cruising between islands. The 1st dive is right after breakfast which is served at 07:30 hrs. Every dive is introduced by a detailed dive briefing to explain in detail the topography and the current directions of the dive sites, as well as the underwater fauna that you will encounter while underwater.
Be ready for a lot of shark action! Hammerheads, silky sharks and reef sharks are all possible encounters, but perhaps you will be even more surprised by the schools of fish that will often share the site with you. You may see barracudas, tunas, snappers, and even red lipped batfish during the night dives. When you dive at Bartolome you can also see penguins and enjoy a land tour to experience amazing views from the hill.
Don't worry if you miss a shot as there will be more chances during the 2nd morning dive before lunch and also on the 3rd dive in the mid afternoon. Make sure not to miss the 4th dive (night dive) to witness the change in behavior of diurnal fish, nocturnal critters and sleeping spotted rays laying on the sandy bottoms. Uniquely among the liveaboards here, Galapagos Sky includes in its itinerary a scuba dive with marine iguanas. Others may offer only a snorkelling experience.
Meals always include a warm soup, which is a blessing, especially on the colder water dives. Main dishes include fresh seafood and meat dishes prepared in both Ecuadorian and American styles. During the vacation there will also be a BBQ night.
On the last full day of the cruise you can also enjoy a visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat or the Charles Darwin Research Centre in Puerto Ayora where you will find tons of interesting info about the Galapagos. You will be back on Galapagos Sky by 19:00 hrs.

Day 8
On the last day of your tour after breakfast you have the chance for either a morning visit to the Interpretation Center to know about the history of Galapagos, or just do a bit of shopping while in town. A late morning transfer to the San Cristobal airport brings your Galapagos adventure to a close.

[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].

The Galapagos Sky's crew of 10 comprises:

Cruise Leader
2 Dive Instructors
Captain
Cook

Stewardess
Engineer
Maid
2 Deck Hands

2 x Motorized dinghies - 624ft² (58m²) Dive platform and kit up area with toilet and 2 hot water showers - Camera table and separate rinse tank - Main deck air-conditioned saloon with TV, video player, music system, movie library, games and satellite telephone - Main deck air conditioned restaurant with bar - Sundeck and shaded area with sunbeds and chairs

Dining on board the Galapagos Sky liveaboard is an important part of the overall experience. There are 3 meals per day, with breakfast served before your first dive. There is a set menu each week so the chef can cook the dishes to perfection. These include a variety of warming soups, meat dishes, seafood and desserts. Meals are served buffet style and all alcohol (beer, wine and spirits) is free of charge.

Ecuadorian and American cuisine main meal dishes.
Air-conditioned restaurant buffet dining service on main deck.
The dining service begins with dinner on the first evening of the cruise.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are provided.
Coffee, tea, drinking water, soft drinks, beer, spirits and wine are all provided free of charge.
All dietary requirements can be catered for except Kosher - 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.

Built in year 2000, restored in 2009
Size - (100ft x 24ft) 30.5m x 7.3m
Top speed - 12 knots
Cruising speed - 10 knots
2 x 500 HP Caterpillar 3408 engines
2 x 105 KW Caterpillar 3306 generators
2 x Dive tank compressors

Enriched air nitrox
12 liter aluminum scuba tanks with DIN & Int. valves
Electricity - 110 & 220V 24 hours per day
Water capacity - 6,000 liters
Fresh watermaker - 17,000 liters per day
Fuel capacity - 30,300 liters

Global Maritime Distress Safety System
Life raft (45 pax.)
2 x 50 HP Yamaha dive dinghies
VHF and HI-SUB radios
2 x Radars
Global positioning system
Furuno Depthfinder
Searchlight and horn
Echo sounder
Bilge pump alarm

Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
Satellite phone
Weather fax
Oxygen - 6,000 liters
Medic first aid box
Full fire fighting and alarm system
Fire extinguishers throughout
Life jackets

"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

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, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (7 nights US$ 250), dive computer, diving insurance, Galapagos National Park entrance fee US$ 200 to be paid in advance, hyperbaric chamber fee US$ 35 to be paid in advance, fuel surcharge US$ 150 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 (2025: US$ 200 per week), 15 liter tank rental (US$ 60 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 11:00 hrs on the second last day; then the yacht returns to port. Check out on the final day is at 09:00 hrs. 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 exclude 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: For most visitors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime destination, and the land creatures and environments are just as impressive as those underwater. You can extend your time in this nature-lovers paradise by adding a 3, 4 or 7 night non-diving wildlife liveaboard safari. These are nature tours around some of the finest locations in the Galapagos with naturalist guides, literature and presentations. Don't just leave after a week of scuba diving, get the full picture of the incredible Galapagos islands!

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