Tiburon Explorer

This 125 ft (38m) purpose-built, steel-hulled liveaboard, from the reputable Explorer fleet, operates 7 night diving cruises around the best sites of the Galapagos islands. Tiburon Explorer is a Green Fins (marine conservation) member.

Although there are 9 twin share ensuite cabins, all with TVs, there is a maximum limit of 16 guests on each trip. Elegance and comfort are emphasized on board with spacious well-appointed cabins and plenty of room to socialize and enjoy your surface time. The large and stylish saloon/dining area on the main deck is the place most guests tend to hang out. Here you can enjoy the TV and music system, or read up on some of the Galapagos’ extraordinary flora, fauna and history. All day coffee, tea and nibbles are also available here. This area has 2 rows of large picture windows running along both the port and starboard sides. This means the space is flooded with natural light and enjoys beautiful, ever-changing views.

If you prefer to chill out in the fresh air, the upper deck is the place to be. You can sip a cocktail by the bar or relax around the stylish tables in a shaded area. Sun lovers will prefer to stretch out on the sun loungers or slip into the hot tub for a relaxing soak after an amazing day’s diving.

The dive deck is large, well-planned and functions efficiently. Rows of tanks have individual diver bins beneath the seats for all your accessories. Tanks are filled in situ with air or nitrox. Photographers will appreciate the camera tables, recharging stations, and separate freshwater rinse tanks for kit. Once geared up you will step down onto the platform and into one of 2 RIBs, known locally as pangas. Upon returning, there are 3 large freshwater showers for immediate desalination, and a toilet for immediate relief.

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Notes: Galapagos is a popular destination with limited liveaboard spaces. We recommend you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dive experience: A minimum of 100 logged dives is recommended.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, local brands of alcohol, land tours, transfers to the boat from the local airport, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (7-8 divers per DM), tanks, weights and weightbelts, DiveAlert, a surface signaling device, and an electronic beacon, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Dinner on the final evening, scuba equipment (7 nights US$ 250), dive computer (7 nights US$ 100), diving insurance, Galapagos park and reserve entrance fees (US$ 200). With effect from 13 August 2022, a fuel surcharge will apply to all cruises (7 nights US$ 150, 10 nights US$ 215). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card + 14% tax).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (7 nights US$ 150), 15 liter tank (7 nights US$ 130), chamber fee (US$ 35). 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: The Tiburon Explorer liveaboard dive tours depart from Baltra every Saturday at 12 noon. Guests fly into Ecuador and take a connecting flight, through Guayaquil or Quito, to Baltra in Galapagos, landing no later than 11:30 am. Passengers flying into San Cristobal must arrange their own transportation to Baltra. Both Guayaquil and Quito have daily flights to the islands, although 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. On the return leg you will probably need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito since most international flights depart too early to make the connection possible. The flight from Galapagos arrives in Guayaquil (and then Quito) in the afternoon.
We will place your domestic flight requirements with the liveaboard operator who are 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 Galapagos 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. The last dive of the trip will be at around 11:00 hrs on the penultimate day, before returning to port for dinner, and then disembarking at 07:00 hrs on the final day. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

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 80% of the published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 5 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise free of charge.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 14 guests and 2 extra persons can join free of charge, except December-May season: pay for 13 guests and 3 extra persons can join free of charge.

Add-on package: Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime destination and the above water creatures and environments are just as impressive as below. You can extend your time in this nature-lovers paradise by adding a 3, 4 or 7 night wildlife safari. These are non-diving liveaboard nature tours around some of the finest locations in Galapagos with naturalist guides, literature and presentations. Don't just leave after a week of diving! Get the full picture of this incredible archipelago.

There are 9 Standard double or twin bed cabins on this Galapagos Islands tour boat. The 6 main deck cabins all feature picture windows. 2 of them feature queen beds only, while the other 4 have twin beds that can be converted to doubles for couples. The lower deck has 3 such convertible cabins with smaller windows, but these cabins also have a lounge area with a sofa. All cabins have their own private TV with DVD/USB entertainment.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 12 - hot water

Customer reviews:

"Excellent staff service, comfortable rooms, amazing food, safe diving - everyone worked hard to make our dreams come true!
Very helpful and responsive service from Vic and the Dive The World team as usual! " - Jo Nhan, UK, 28 December 2023 ...