Galápagos Liveaboard Diving: 7 Nights at Wolf and Darwin
PlanetaEXO
TripsEcuadorGalápagos Islands

Galápagos Liveaboard Diving: 7 Nights at Wolf and Darwin

Ecuador
7 Nights·8 Days
GalápagosDiving & SnorkellingActive Adventures

Overview

A Galápagos liveaboard diving expedition offers an extraordinary journey into one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. This 8-day itinerary packs in 18 dives, tailored specifically for advanced divers due to strong currents, surge, and cooler waters. Dives run between 18 and 30 m, bringing you face-to-face with the best of Ecuador’s archipelago.

At the heart of the itinerary are the Wolf and Darwin Islands, famous for schooling hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, and whale sharks. You will also visit Punta Vicente Roca to watch marine iguanas feeding underwater and search for the Mola mola. On land, excursions highlight nesting seabirds on North Seymour Island and giant tortoises in Santa Cruz.

Life on board takes place on a custom liveaboard vessel featuring 8 comfortable ensuite cabins for up to 16 divers. A 12-member crew, complete with an experienced captain and Galápagos National Park-certified dive guides, provides attentive, high-quality service from start to finish.

  • Full itinerary: check-out dive at Isla Lobos; Cousins Rock; 3 days of dives at Wolf and Darwin with a night dive; Cape Douglas on Fernandina; Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela; Pinzón; land visits to North Seymour and the Santa Cruz highlands.
  • 18 dives in 7 nights, up to 4 a day, all no-decompression, about 50 minutes each at 18–30 m.
  • Shark diving in the Galápagos at its best: schooling hammerheads and Galápagos sharks at Wolf and Darwin all year, including whale sharks from June to November.
  • Marine iguanas feeding underwater at Cape Douglas and the chance of a Mola mola at Punta Vicente Roca.
  • A purpose-built liveaboard for 16 divers in 8 ensuite cabins, with a dive deck, camera table, rinse tanks, and heated towels after every dive.
  • Dives led by Galápagos National Park-certified dive guides who speak English and Spanish, one guide per 8 divers.
  • All-inclusive experience: 7 nights aboard, all meals and snacks, an open bar, Nitrox, tanks, weights, the dive guides, 3 land visits and the transfers between San Cristóbal airport and the dock.

  • Please note: The itinerary is a sample. Dive sites and times can change with the weather, the sea, and Galápagos National Park rules. The dive guides confirm each day’s plan at the briefings on board.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival on San Cristóbal / Boarding and Safety Briefing / Check-out Dive at Isla Lobos

  • ArrivalSan Cristóbal Airport (SCY) · Sunday morning flight
  • BoardingTiburón Martillo dock · Aboard by 12 PM
  • 1 diveIsla Lobos · Check-out dive

Your Galápagos liveaboard diving week starts on San Cristóbal Island. If you arrive on the Sunday morning flight, the crew meets you at the airport and drives you to the Tiburón Martillo dock, where a panga takes you out to the yacht. Arriving earlier? Meet the crew at the same dock at 11 AM; everyone must be on board by noon.

Dive bags go to the dive deck and luggage to the cabins. After a welcome briefing on the yacht and the national park rules, the dive guides check your certification and Nitrox cards, and everyone joins the safety drill.

After lunch, join a check-out dive at Isla Lobos, an easy first dive to adjust your weights before heading out to open-water sites.

Meals included: Lunch / Dinner

A liveaboard dive boat used for galapagos liveaboard diving cruises across sparkling backlit water under a clear sky as seabirds fly overhead.
Large ocean sunfish seen from the side with pale spots and a tall dorsal fin, two more sunfish in the background, in clear turquoise water during galapagos liveaboard diving.
An aerial view shows a group of sea lions swimming and diving together through clear turquoise water.
Smiling dive guide in a black wetsuit and cap makes the OK hand signal to a hooded diver wearing a mask during a briefing on deck before galapagos liveaboard diving.

Day 2

North Seymour Island / Two Dives at Cousins Rock

  • Land visitNorth Seymour · Blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds
  • 2 divesCousins Rock · Wall dive, black coral
  • Marine lifeSeahorses, frogfish, octopus, barracuda

The morning is on land. North Seymour Island is a short walk among nesting seabirds: blue-footed boobies doing their courtship dance, magnificent frigatebirds puffing up their red throat pouches, land iguanas and sea lions.

During the afternoon, dive twice at Cousins Rock, a wall dive with black coral and gentle currents. It is a fantastic location for macro life—such as seahorses, frogfish, octopuses, and scorpionfish—while schools of barracuda cruise past the drop-off. Playful sea lions often join you on the safety stop before the vessel sets sail north overnight.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A small inflatable boat carries divers on a galapagos liveaboard diving excursion toward a steep cliff-lined island topped with green vegetation.
Two orange and yellow seahorses cling to a coral-covered rock wall, a tiny highlight for divers on this galapagos liveaboard diving route at Cousins Rock.
A blue-footed booby stands on dark lava rocks with crashing surf in the background on North Seymour Island.
A frigatebird with a long hooked bill and forked tail glides overhead against a clear blue sky above North Seymour Island.
A vivid blue-and-black striped nudibranch crawls over pink coralline rock, spotted during galapagos liveaboard diving stops at Cousins Rock.

Day 3

Wolf Island / Four Dives / Night Dive

  • 4 divesWolf · Including 1 night dive
  • Marine lifeHammerheads, Galápagos sharks, eagle rays
  • Night diveOptional · Red-lipped batfish

Wolf Island is where the big animals start. Schools of hammerheads in Galápagos waters gather here, along with large groups of sharks, dolphins, tuna, spotted eagle rays, turtles, and the odd whale shark. The island’s sheer cliffs leave no place to land, so the whole day is in the water.

The fourth dive is an optional night dive, weather permitting, when red-lipped batfish come out on the bottom. It needs night-dive experience and your own primary, backup, and tank lights, which are not rented on board.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A large school of hammerhead sharks circles in blue water, with one shark banking toward the camera during galapagos liveaboard diving at Wolf Island.
Scuba divers in wetsuits swim through a dense school of jacks, bubbles rising as one diver points toward the fish.
A warty, well-camouflaged frogfish with a bright red mouth rests on the sandy seabed, its fins used like small legs.
Dozens of hammerhead sharks seen from below as dark silhouettes against bright blue water, swimming together in a large school, a classic scene of galapagos liveaboard diving.

Day 4

Darwin Island / Four Dives at the Pillars

  • 4 divesDarwin · the Pillars, the former Arch
  • Marine lifeSchooling hammerheads, dolphins, whale sharks in season
  • ConditionsOpen ocean, currents, warmer water

Darwin is the northernmost dive of the week and the most famous site on the islands. Around the Pillars, all that is left of Darwin’s Arch, schools of scalloped hammerheads hang in the current, with sharks and large pods of dolphins. Whale sharks pass here mostly from June to November.

Beside massive groups of hammerheads and seasonal whale sharks, these currents attract mobula rays, skipjack, yellowfin tuna, and bigeye jacks. On extraordinary occasions, divers spot tiger sharks, marlin, or even orcas. Wolf and Darwin Island also deliver the warmest diving of the itinerary, with water averaging 24–26°C (75–79°F).

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Divers in wetsuits cheer and wave from an inflatable boat with Darwin's Arch rising from the ocean on this galapagos liveaboard diving trip.
A dense, swirling school of jacks forms a circular bait-ball near Darwin's Arch, a classic sight of galapagos liveaboard diving.
Towering volcanic pillars rise from the sea at Darwin Island, a landmark site for galapagos liveaboard diving, seabirds nested on the ledges as waves break below under a pastel sky.
A scuba diver hovers above a massive, white-spotted whale shark gliding through open blue water on a galapagos liveaboard diving trip near Darwin Island.

Day 5

Darwin / Two Morning Dives / Afternoon Dive at Wolf

  • 2 divesDarwin · Morning
  • 1 diveWolf · Afternoon
  • CrossingSouthwest toward Fernandina overnight

Enjoy two final morning dives at Darwin to explore anything you missed on day one, followed by an afternoon dive as the yacht returns to Wolf.

Between dives, the sun deck and the salon are the place to rest and swap photos. Overnight, the yacht sails southwest toward the western islands.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A liveaboard dive boat sits silhouetted on calm open water as the sun sets low on the horizon, its deck lights beginning to glow.
A scalloped hammerhead shark glides over a boulder-strewn reef thick with schooling fish while divers hover in the background near Wolf Island.
A dense school of manta rays flies in tight formation through open blue water, a scene divers hope for on a galapagos liveaboard diving trip to Wolf and Darwin.
An empty teak lounge deck with cream cushions and low wooden tables sits under a canopy as the sun sets over calm open ocean.

Day 6

Cape Douglas, Fernandina / Punta Vicente Roca , Isabela / Panga Ride

  • 3 divesCape Douglas and Punta Vicente Roca
  • Marine lifeMarine iguanas grazing underwater, Mola mola
  • WaterThe coldest of the week · Down to about 16°C (61°F) in September

Day 6 showcases two contrasting underwater realms, beginning at Fernandina Island’s Cape Douglas. Here, watch marine iguanas graze on algae beneath the surface, a spectacle found nowhere else on Earth.

Afternoon takes you to Punta Vicente Roca along Isabela Island, where steep underwater cliffs feature black coral, sponges, and vibrant soft corals. Look for Horn sharks, batfish, nudibranchs, and lobsters clinging to the rock face, while elusive Mola mola glide out in the blue.

Finish with a dinghy ride to encounter flightless cormorants, penguins, and sea lions along the volcanic coast.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A marine iguana grips an algae-covered rock underwater, trailing its long tail as it forages on the seafloor, a signature sight of galapagos liveaboard diving near Fernandina.
A sea lion glides underwater over a rocky reef off Fernandina, with a volcanic coastline and blue sky above the waterline, a classic galapagos liveaboard diving sighting.
Snorkelers and photographers lean out of a panga dinghy near volcanic cliffs at Punta Vicente Roca, part of a galapagos liveaboard diving itinerary with the expedition yacht anchored offshore.
A green sea turtle swims close to the camera, flippers outstretched and its barnacle-flecked shell catching the light, a common sighting on galapagos liveaboard diving trips near Fernandina.
Three Galápagos penguins perch on dark lava rocks beside turquoise water, spotted on a panga ride during this galapagos liveaboard diving trip along Fernandina and Isabela.

Day 7

Last Dive at Pinzón / Santa Cruz Highlands and Giant Tortoises

  • 1 divePinzón · Last dive of the week
  • Land visitSanta Cruz highlands · Giant tortoises
  • Free timein town, Santa Cruz

The last dive is on Saturday morning at Pinzón, where mantas, eagle rays, moray eels, sharks, and sea lions share the water with a crowd of reef fish (surgeonfish, king angelfish, Moorish idols, and snappers).

In the afternoon, go ashore on Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises in the green highlands, with free time in town afterwards. Diving ends that morning on purpose, giving you 18 to 24 hours before Sunday’s flight.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A giant tortoise with a domed, cracked shell walks across grass and leaves in the Santa Cruz highlands, a highlight break from the galapagos liveaboard diving schedule.
A scuba diver swims beside a dense silver school of fish over a coral reef, lit by sunlight filtering down during a galapagos liveaboard diving excursion.
Giant tortoise with a dark domed shell and scaly legs chews a blade of grass in a green, sunlit highland clearing.

Day 8

San Cristóbal / Interpretation Center / Transfer to the Airport

  • DisembarkationShipwreck Bay, San Cristóbal · Around 8:30–9 AM
  • VisitInterpretation Center at Cerro Tijeretas
  • Transferto San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)

The yacht anchors in Shipwreck Bay before sunrise. After breakfast, go ashore and visit the Interpretation Center at Cerro Tijeretas, on the human and natural history of the islands, while the crew takes your bags ahead to the airport.

After a stop for a snack in town, the crew takes you to the airport or your hotel, marking the end of your 8-day Galápagos liveaboard diving tour.

Meals included: Breakfast

Two volcanic rock pillars rise from calm ocean water at sunset near San Cristóbal, with wispy clouds streaking across a fading blue sky.
The Galapagos Sky liveaboard dive yacht floats at anchor off San Cristóbal under a partly cloudy sky, marking the end of this galapagos liveaboard diving trip.

What is Included

  • Round-trip transfer (San Cristóbal Airport ⇌ the Tiburón Martillo dock and the yacht on the departure and return Sundays)
  • 7-night stay aboard the yacht, in the cabin category you book
  • Meals (full board, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8, plus snacks all day)
  • Open bar (beer, house wine, spirits, soft drinks, juices, coffee, espresso, and tea)
  • Up to 4 dives a day (18 dives in total)
  • Nitrox (about 32%), for certified Nitrox divers
  • An 80 cu ft (12 L) aluminum tank, weights, and weight belt
  • Surface marker buoy, audible signal, and Nautilus Lifeline, on loan
  • Guided tours (North Seymour Island, the Santa Cruz highlands, and the Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal)
  • Dive guides certified by the Galápagos National Park, one per 8 divers, English and Spanish speaking

Not included

  • Flight tickets
  • Galápagos National Park entrance fee (US$ 200, cash) and Transit Control Card (US$ 20)
  • Hyperbaric chamber fee (US$ 35, mandatory, paid in advance)
  • Dive accident insurance (mandatory) and travel insurance
  • Proof of international health insurance, checked on arrival in Ecuador
  • Dive gear rental
  • Private dive guide
  • Premium wines and spirits
  • Hotel nights in Quito, Guayaquil, or San Cristóbal before or after the trip
  • Gratuities for the crew (10% of the trip price suggested)

FAQ

Reviews

“Galapagos was a bucket list trip and it did not disappoint. We experienced so many iconic dive locations and saw so many species, it was an amazing experience.”

— Justin H

“Great ship, diving and staff. Good communication, safety consciousness, and dive site knowledge. Land excursions were amazing too.”

— Scott S

“This cruise delivered one of the most extraordinary diving experiences of my life. From the moment we boarded at San Cristóbal, the crew made it clear this was going to be a very special trip. If you are a serious, experienced diver looking for world-class big animal encounters, this liveaboard belongs on your bucket list. The staff are simply outstanding. They went out of their way at every turn to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. They helped you put your dive gear on before every dive, cleaned and rinsed your equipment after each one, and remained genuinely attentive to your needs throughout the trip. This level of personal service is rare and made a real difference after long, physically demanding days in the water. The dive masters were exceptionally knowledgeable - about the dive sites, the marine life, the currents, and the conditions. Safety was always top of mind. Dive briefings were well conducted, thorough, and highly informative, giving you everything you needed to know before entering some of the most challenging water in the world. You always felt confident and prepared.”

— Warren S

“This was our best liveaboard experience. We have loved all of our dive trips, but this trip was spectacular. I was worried about the cold and the diving was definitely strenuous, but we we came prepared and were very well supervised and cared for. The crew goes above and beyond to help with putting on gear prior to diving, preparing amazing snacks and meals and keeping the boat clean and safe! Our dive guides, Solon and Natasha were so enthusiastic and dedicated to making our experience amazing. The meals were extraordinary and I especially liked spring down to dinner instead of the buffet style. We also had a wonderful group of divers in this trip which made for a very special time. One piece of advice, on the information provided before the trip, we read that we needed a GPS device and a sound alert device. We purchased both, but did not need to. The boats provides these.”

— Kimberly C

“What an experience. From the moment we landed to the moment we left the crew were warm, welcoming, energetic and passionate about their mission - to give us the best experience. With only 16 divers, this is a relatively small ship but everything had been considered to make this a trip of a lifetime. The Galápagos diving experience is unique but can be challenging, however the dive guides were always on hand to ensure each dive was a success. If you haven’t been - go - and go on this boat, you won’t regret it!”

— Richard C

“I’ve been on several LOBs in different regions of the world and this was a best in class experience. Galápagos is a trip of a lifetime and the crew knows this and does everything they can to enhance your trip. The boat has been recently refurbished. It’s very nice, cabins are well appointed with great bedding, common areas are very nice. One downside was climate control- it was very cold, we couldn’t get the temperature to be above 65F. This was a problem across the boat, not just our cabin. Food, snacks, drinks were all great and plentiful. We were at Darwin when a tsunami warning went into effect causing us to miss a couple dives. The park reopened and the boat made accommodations to help us make up a dive- we were really appreciative of their efforts to mange through this. I would absolutely return to Galápagos and would go again on this boat.”

— Jamie T

“Wound up having to remove my Dive partner at the last minute, so my non-diving best friend came with me. The crew made her feel absolutely welcome and even arranged for her to go out on the panga a few times. They did everything to make the two of us feel at home and took care of any request we had. I went from never having seen a hammer head, to seeing more hammerheads than I could possibly count! The crew also had to deal with the additional stress of the tsunami warnings after the Russian earthquake. They handled the entire incident with professionalism, even though I’m sure that they were worried about their families that were on the local islands. I cannot say enough about how fantastic the whole experience was! The entire week was absolutely amazing!”

— Connie M

“The tops. Several 200+ hammerheads dives, a few mola molas, galapagos sharks and more fish than I've ever seen. And the crew was top-notch always lending a helpful hand with a smile. Starlink worked great for me as I had to work as well. 100% recommend”

— Justin G

“Great food and best service I have ever received on a liveaboard. Almost all crew is on the dive deck helping people gear up, which is a challenge with all the thick layers, hoods, gloves etc. The crew delivered the cameras and fins to the pangas at departure and collected everything from the pangas upon returning. The crew helped us unpeel all the thermal protection and then rinsed and hung it up to dry for later. The also rinsed our cameras.”

— Michael F

“I really enjoyed my time aboard this boat. They ran a good program from the moment we reached the airport to the time of departure. You can expect great comfort, terrific support on the dive deck from the crew, tasty meals, devoted guides, and high overall quality of everything from rental gear to attention to customer satisfaction.”

— Nathaniel T

Check availability for your trip

Free inquiry – no commitment

Who's joining the adventure?

2
0

Your next trip

Travel date*

Tell us about your trip

Contact details

How should we contact you?*

From

$ 7,495/ per person