Galapagos liveaboard FAQ

There's good diving all year, with two seasons. June to November brings cooler water, about 60–75°F (16–24°C), and whale sharks at Darwin. December to May is warmer, about 70–82°F (21–28°C), with calmer seas and more manta and mobula rays. Hammerhead schools are seen in both seasons.

See the month-by-month season guide, or tell us what you most want to see.

Galapagos dive boats carry only 12 to 16 guests, so popular dates, especially whale shark season, often fill many months ahead. Booking early gives you the best choice of boat and cabin. Last-minute cabins do come up: check our special offers and availability.

Dive liveaboards run 7-night itineraries, which is the time needed to reach Darwin and Wolf and dive them properly. Some boats, such as Aqua, also run shorter 3, 4 or 5-night naturalist cruises.

The minimum certification is Open Water. Darwin and Wolf can have currents, cool water and entries from small boats, so recent diving experience and some practice in currents will help you enjoy them most.

Not sure which trip suits your experience? Tell us your certification and how many dives you've logged, and Samira will suggest the right boat and itinerary.

It's strongly recommended. Nitrox gives you longer bottom times on the deeper dives at Darwin and Wolf. If you're not certified yet, you can usually take the course on board. Ask us about the boat you're considering.

From June to November, when the water is coolest, most divers use a 5 to 7 mm wetsuit with a hood. In the warmer months a 5 mm suit is usually enough. Gloves and hoods are common all year.

Yes. Most boats rent full gear sets. Rental and nitrox are usually charged separately, so we'll include them in your quote if you need them.

Yes. Most liveaboards require dive accident insurance, and we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and medical evacuation. The Galapagos are remote, so this matters more than usual.

Fly to Quito or Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador, then take a domestic flight to Baltra or San Cristóbal, where the liveaboards board. Our office is in Guayaquil, so we can help with domestic flights and a hotel night before departure.

Foreign visitors pay US $200 per adult and US $100 per child under 12. Citizens of Andean Community and Mercosur countries pay US $100 per adult and US $50 per child; children under 2 are free. The fee is paid on arrival in the islands, usually in cash, so bring clean US dollar bills.

Every visitor needs a Transit Control Card, which costs US $20. You buy it at the Galapagos Government Council counter at Quito or Guayaquil airport before checking in for your flight. Keep the receipt; you'll need it on arrival and departure.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months. You'll fill in an online biosafety declaration shortly before your flight, and your bags are checked for fresh food, seeds and plants, which can't be brought to the islands. We send you a checklist with dates once you book.

Send us your dates and the trip you're interested in by text, email, phone, Instagram or the request form. We'll check availability for your dates, send you a written quote, and hold a cabin while you decide.

Each boat operator sets its own deposit, payment schedule and cancellation terms. We send you these in writing with your quote, before you pay anything.

Not necessarily. Many boats can match you with another solo traveler of the same gender to share a cabin. Ask us and we'll find the best option.

Yes. We regularly organize trips for groups of divers, including full-boat charters. Tell us your group size and preferred dates.

Usually your cabin, all meals, guided dives, tanks and weights. Usually not included: flights to the islands, the park fee and Transit Control Card, rental gear, nitrox, and crew tips. Every quote we send lists exactly what's included for that boat.

Some crossings, especially to and from Darwin and Wolf, can be rough. Bring seasickness medication you've tried before, and ask us about the steadier boats; a steel hull such as the Galapagos Master's is noticeably more stable.

Yes, on a naturalist cruise. You explore the islands on guided walks and snorkel in sheltered bays. Some boats, such as Calipso and Aqua, run both dive and naturalist itineraries. Minimum ages vary by boat, so tell us your children's ages.

Our focus is liveaboard diving, but if you're staying in a hotel on Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal we can also help arrange day dives. Tell us your dates and where you're staying. Note that day boats can't reach Darwin and Wolf, which are only visited by liveaboards.