North Galapagos Islands 8-Day Diving Cruise

North Galapagos Islands 8-Day Diving Cruise

Day 1: Baltra Island

Welcome to the Galapagos! We'll pick you up from the Baltra airport and take you to the ship where you'll enjoy a fascinating 8-day cruise in the North Galapagos Islands. All aboard!

During the first part of the navigation, we'll have a meal on board and then listen to some basic instructions for the first dive of the cruise. In the afternoon, we'll dock in the northeastern part of Baltra Island, a perfect place to start off our diving cruise in the Galapagos. While exploring the seabed, we'll find fascinating rock and lava formations and endemic marine species such as white-tip reef sharks, rays, turtles, and sea lions.

We'll end the day by returning to the ship and having dinner on board.

Day 2: Isabela Island

First things first, we'll enjoy breakfast on board. Then, we'll anchor at Isabela Island, specifically at Cape Marshall. We'll put on our diving gear and explore this cape that's very close to the equatorial line and the base of the Wolf volcano. We'll be able to spot hammerhead, white tip, and Galapagos sharks. We'll also see the black corals that grow on the volcanic walls. Fascinating!

In the afternoon, we'll sail to the "manta ray city" so you can swim with the giant manta rays of Isabela. After enjoying this unique experience, we'll return to the boat, have dinner on board, and sail overnight to Darwin.

Days 3, 4, & 5: Darwin & Wolf Islands

On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th days, we'll enjoy diving in Darwin and Wolf Islands. Both islands have some of the best diving sites in the Galapagos!

During these 3 days, we'll have our lunches and dinners on board and visit the following dive sites:

• Darwin's Arch: Although the arch has collapsed due to erosion, diving in this area of Darwin Island is a real treat! You can see hammerhead sharks or whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.
• El Arenal: Very close to Darwin's Arch is El Arenal, a natural enclave where hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and different species of dolphins and whales live.
• Shark Bay: Located on the east coast of Wolf Island, this bay is shallower than the other spots we'll visit. In these waters, you'll find hawksbill turtles and Pacific green turtles along with spotted eagle rays and sea lions.
• The Landslide: This is another key dive site on Wolf Island. This area has strong water currents, so you might experience a real adrenaline rush while exploring the seabed! It also stands out for its typical Indo-Pacific marine life, such as Pavona corals.
• The Pinnacle & The Caves: Here you can explore some of the most amazing underwater caves. While diving in this area of the island, you'll see puffer fish, moray eels, grey reef sharks, round ribbontail rays, and lobsters hiding in holes and crevices.
• The Secret Cave & Anchorage: If we have time, we can enjoy 2 night dive experiences at the Secret Cave and Anchorage, both on Wolf Island.
   

Day 6: Isabela & Fernandina Islands

We'll fill up on breakfast before diving at Isabela Island, specifically at Vicente Roca Point. Here, we'll enter a dark cave under a spectacular arch and observe sharks, penguins, puffer fish, seahorses, and even ocean sunfish, a very rare species.

Then, we'll have lunch on board and rest a bit before diving at Cape Douglas on Fernandina Island. On this dive, we'll see cormorants and marine iguanas.

Finally, we'll return to the ship and enjoy a complete dinner on board.

Day 7: Santiago & Santa Cruz Islands

After breakfast, we'll put on our diving equipment and anchor at Santiago Island, specifically at Cousin's Rock. This volcanic rock is frequented by blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, Galapagos sea lions, sea lions, and penguins.

In the afternoon, we'll head to Santa Cruz Island and visit the El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve, home of the famous Galapagos tortoises. We'll explore this protected area while learning all about these animals.

Finally, we'll end the day by returning to the ship for dinner.

Day 8: Baltra Island

It's time to say goodbye to the Galapagos Islands. After breakfast, we'll take you to Baltra airport and end this 8-day diving cruise. Bon voyage!

Accommodation

This 8-day tour includes 7 nights of accommodation on the Aqua ship with full board. When booking, you can opt for a room on the lower or upper deck.

Flights

To participate in this cruise, you'll need to book your roundtrip flights at the following times:

If you're traveling from Quito

• Departure flight: AVIANCA - AV1632. Departure from Quito at 8:04 am. Arrival in Baltra at 10:48 am.
• Return flight: AVIANCA - AV1633. Departure from Baltra at 11:38 am. Arrival in Quito at 4:15 pm.
   

If you're traveling from Guayaquil

• Departure flight: AVIANCA - AV1632. Departure from Guayaquil at 9:53 am. Arrival in Baltra at 10:48 am.
• Return flight: AVIANCA - AV1633. Departure from Baltra at 11:38 am. Arrival in Guayaquil at 2:29 pm.