Galapagos Liveaboards are some of the most idyllic experiences a diver could enjoy with up to 20 opportunities to dive on a week long trip.
Renowned as the pinnacle of scuba diving destinations, the Galapagos Islands boast an extraordinary array of marine life and majestic pelagics. Only divers on liveaboards can make it to the legendary Wolf and Darwin islands – an exclusivity like no other.
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Best Value
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Best for Luxury
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Our Pick
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For comprehensive insights into why liveaboard adventures represent the ultimate diving experience, delve into my detailed guide on liveaboards.
Opting for a liveaboard not only offers an immersive diving experience but also provides an efficient and cost-effective means to access the archipelago’s most iconic and remote dive sites.
Table of Contents
Galapagos Liveaboards
To assist in navigating these options, I’ve meticulously reviewed the finest liveaboard boats, ensuring you’re well-informed for your once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos journey.
These yachts offer luxury accommodations where guests can enjoy all-inclusive services and itineraries that cover world-class dive sites.
Keen to follow Darwin’s historic journey and immerse yourself in the cradle of natural history? Continue reading to discover more…
- Local operators and crew
- Brand new boat
- Visits Wolf & Darwin
- Free Wifi
- Free Nitrox
- None
The Galaxy Diver liveaboard distinguishes itself with local ownership, promising an authentically Galapagueños experience that deeply connects divers to the unique spirit and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands.
This brand new vessel, renowned for its intimate and comprehensive exploration opportunities, offers divers unparalleled access to the archipelago’s most coveted dive sites. Managed and operated by locals, the Galaxy Diver ensures guests receive insider knowledge and insights into the ecological wonders of the area, enhancing each dive with personalised stories and experiences that can only come from those who call the Galapagos home.
This commitment to delivering a genuine local experience, from the food to the experienced and professional crew, combined with the liveaboard’s dedication to comfort, safety, and environmental stewardship, makes it an exceptional choice for divers seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and singular charm of the Galapagos.
I was lucky enough to experience this boats predecessor – find out why I was pretty impressed by the complete experience, and why the local touch was so important, by reading my Galaxy Diver Liveaboard review.
Guests
16
Air Con
YES
Dives
20/7 DAY
WiFi
YES
Nitrox
YES
Food
YES
- Truly huge ship, very spacious
- Chances to see lots of hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, whale shark, sea lions and more
- Built for divers with four excursions a day
- Plenty of equipment and lots of facilities
- Shortest booking is seven nights
The Galapagos Master is an aptly-named Galapagos liveaboard diving trip, offering you all the dining, living and diving services and standards you’d ever demand from an exclusive trip to the heart of the region. This huge cruise is built with divers in mind, meaning that you’ll have plenty of storage for your equipment and chances for you to fill up your tanks and visit the Galapagos Islands.
There’s four chances per day to dive into the best-loved, crystal clear waters the islands have to offer. You’ll set sail from San Cristobal, and will have plenty of chances to unwind at the onboard cocktail bar at the end of a long day of swimming into the depths. You’ll also have plenty of chances to explore the stunning Wolf and Darwin islands, Santiago, Santa Cruz and other beautiful dive destinations. It’s perfect for those divers really looking to get the best of the region.
Enjoy 7 nights diving in the Galapagos with this luxury cruise, you will be able to log 18 dives in some of the world’s most prestigious spots.
Use the link to Liveaboard.com for the full liveaboard itineraries.
Guests
16
Air Con
YES
Dives
18
WiFi
YES
Nitrox
YES
Food
YES
- Great for spotting manta rays, spotted eagle rays, whale sharks and more
- Built with marine life divers in mind
- Roomy and well-conditioned
- Packed with all the diving equipment you'll need
- Not the most modern-looking boat!
The Humboldt Explorer is a brilliant pick for a diving trip for you to explore the Galapagos islands from – with Wolf and Darwin, as well as the central archipelago, likely to appeal to anyone keen to see a whale shark or two. This is definitely a Galapagos dive liveaboard which is built for wildlife lovers, meaning that there’s always something curious to spot beneath the glistening waters.
The Galapagos liveaboard diving experience here is great and is one of the most affordable eight-day excursions you’ll get from scuba diving across the Galapagos islands. This well-stocked 33m vessel offers plenty of equipment storage, as well as opportunities for you to rent equipment and gear whenever you might need it. Visit Seymour Island and take a diving trip to the North Male Atoll.
You can also visit Cousins Rock located at the North East coast of Santiago Island.
What’s more, the boat is nice and roomy, with 8 double rooms and an attentive crew waiting to help you during your journey. Great to relax on as well as to explore the full Galapagos dive sites from, this is one of my top aqua liveaboard diving picks without question.
Make the most of the UNESCO world heritage site during this trip with the chance to explore protected dive spots. This cruise allows 16 guests, between 18 and 20 dives and you have the option of an en suite bathroom.
Guests No
16
Air Con
YES
Dives
20
WiFi
YES
Nitrox
YES
Food
YES
4. Aqua
- Extremely affordable trips across the best of the Galapagos islands
- Ideal for spotting marine life under the waves as well as across the surface
- Available for short trips of at least three days
- Great for spotting Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, sea lions and much more
- Perhaps the least modern-looking boat on the list
Aqua is a hugely popular cruise offering you the chance to explore the Galapagos islands with full comforts of the best of the liveaboard experience. Roomy, airy and with plenty of opportunity for you to stretch out and relax, Aqua will also take you to some of the best-loved dive sites and locations across the whole of the Galapagos. Not sure where in the Galapagos islands you’d like to travel to first? Aqua’s itinerary is varied and will take you to the best hotspots so you can sample the most famous dives.
With a full diving area and nitrox available, this is a cruise that’s built for those looking to dive Galapagos at their leisure. It’s also replete with dining suites and a helpful crew, meaning that whether you are taking on the Galapagos liveaboards for the full scuba diving experience, or just to kick back and relax for a while, Aqua has you covered.
Do take advantage of the brilliant prices. It’s rare you’ll get this good a dive in the Galapagos without paying a fair bit more!
Enjoy excellent diving with strong currents but the chance to catch a glimpse of whale sharks and other beautiful reef sharks.
Guests No
16
Air Con
YES
Dives
18
WiFi
YES
Nitrox
YES
Food
YES
- Great for watching tuna and hammerhead sharks
- Sizeable crew on hand to help
- Four dives a day (including night dives)
- Luxury cabins and dining available
- One of the most expensive liveaboard options on this list
The Galapagos Aggressor III has a fantastic name, and a truly fantastic experience to back that up, too! This 32m vessel will take you across some of the most crystal clear dive sites across the Galapagos islands, offering you plenty of opportunity to spy local sharks and other marine life.
The luxury experience can’t be understated – there’s indoor saloon features, full onboard jacuzzi, fully catered facilities and even internet throughout. But why would you be wasting your time on the internet when you have all that wonderful water and marine life to explore?
Thankfully, the Aggressor III gives you plenty of excuses to just get out and dive. The full diving suite here will give you ample space to refuel and even private locker room, meaning that you can always keep track of your dive gear from trip to trip.
As all good liveaboard diving experiences in the Galapagos islands, this cruise will give you the chance to explore the islands of Wolf and Darwin, before circling around to give you the full tour of the highly visible waters. It’s a little more expensive than most of the choices on our list, but for the perfect luxury liveaboard diving experience, you really can’t do much better.
Guests No
16
Air Con
YES
Dives
18
WiFi
YES
Nitrox
YES
Food
YES
- 5-star luxury liveaboard experience
- Access to sites full of manta rays, sea lions, sharks and more
- Four diving trips a day
- Friendly crew
- One of the most expensive Galapagos liveaboards
Last but absolutely not least, the Galapagos Sky is a mammoth luxury yacht built to show you the best dive sites Galapagos has to offer. Cruising the most popular islands at a pace that even novice divers will be happy to acclimatise to, you’ll get the chance to dive amongst and spot eagle rays, giant manta rays and sea turtles.
From the comfort of your own luxury cabin, you’ll also be able to suit up to take on a day of spotting sharks and exploring the wider islands.
Sky offers some of the most chilled-out diving Galapagos really has to offer. Its luxury build and cabins will likely offer a spectacular choice for cruise lovers, too! There’s lots of entertainment on board, which means that you really feel like you’re sailing via home away from home.
Few liveaboards give you the same luxury sail and diving opportunities that Sky manages – and if you ask me, it’s well worth the price of admission.
Guests No
16
Air Con
YES
Dives
18
WiFi
YES
Nitrox
YES
Food
YES
Stats on Galapagos Diving
- Water Temperature: 60°F – 83°F (16°C – 28°C)
- The Gear You Need: 7mm wetsuit with hood, 1.5-2mm gloves with reinforced palms
- Underwater Visibility: 40 to 100 Foot
- Skill Level: Advanced
What Marine Life Can be Seen on a Galapagos Livaboard?
The main reason to visit the beautiful Galapagos Islands is for the diverse marine life that it’s known for, during your dives you will set sights on majestic sea creatures such as sea lions, turtles, iguanas, manta rays, marble rays and 30+ species of shark.
Of course, one of the best reasons to go diving in Galapagos – whether you travel from San Cristobal or elsewhere – is to take a look at the marine life. While there are plenty of interesting sights on land – such as the majestic, ancient tortoises – it’s out at sea where you’ll find some of the wildest sights the area has to offer.
It’s also a beautiful (volcanic) hotbed – literally – for rays and sharks, which are an absolute joy to witness in their natural habitat.
Keep your eyes peeled for various sea animals and other wildlife including:
- Giant Tortoises
- Sea Lions
- Marine Iguana
- Galapagos Penguins
- Manta Rays
- Mobula Rays
- Silky Sharks
- Galapagos Sharks
- Whale Sharks
- White Tip Sharks
- Hammerhead Sharks
What Animals Did Darwin Discover on the Galapagos Islands?
Galapagos Islands is famous for fuelling the Darwin Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection.
During his time in the country, the unique animals that roamed the land and pacific ocean sparked his curiosity. Endemic species were discovered across the islands and that ignited plentiful studies in the region.
Animals in Galapagos includes the likes of fur seals, sea lions, giant tortoises and sharks. The fearless nature of these cherished animals sparked initiative from Charles Darwin.
You can visit shore excursions such as the Charles Darwin Research Station, the country celebrates its connection with Darwin and also have Darwin Island named after the late genius.
Best Diving in Galapagos
What follows is just a small insight into Galapagos dive sites.
For the full lowdown on all the best dive sites, the conditions and what I thought about them, make sure you read my best diving in Galapagos article.
Shark Bay
As you can imagine, Shark Bay is full of – wait for it – sharks. It’s a little way off Wolf island, which means most the liveaboards on this list, if not all of them, should drop you off near here.
However, a word of warning – the visibility isn’t fantastic here compared to the rest of the dives across the Galapagos islands, meaning this is probably going to be an adventure best suited to experienced scuba divers. Take a look if you’ve a few years behind you.
Location: Close to Wolf Island
Species: Mainly Galapagos sharks and dolphins
Daphne Minor
Daphne Minor is another dive site that’s likely to be popular with experienced swimmers and scuba fans. It’s a nice, smooth dive, pretty clear, and it’s easy to get to via Santa Cruz. If you’re looking for spotted eagle rays, the area is absolutely awash with them.
Therefore, again, if you are a confident diver and don’t mind taking the time to swim through milder currents, your prize here is going to be a wonderful ray habitat that’s never likely to be overly fierce.
Location: Close to Santa Cruz
Species: Eagle rays, manta rays, sharks
Cape Marshall
Cape Marshall is a firm favourite with plenty of divers in the region, and that’s largely thanks to the fact that the rock you’ll find as you scuba down is truly magnificent!
Ancient and rugged, you should get plenty of visibility into the best of what lies beneath the water, too. It’s a real treat for anyone looking to explore some of the wider watery expanses across Galapagos.
Location: Isabela Island
Species: Manta rays, Sunfish, marbled rays, hammerhead sharks
Cousins Rock
Cousins Rock on the North East coast of Santiago Island is a little piece of heaven and is recognised as part of the volcanic islands that are available around the Galapagos Islands.
If you love a dramatic drop then this rock will have you in awe, as you begin to descend you will be presented with incredible views.
Location: Santiago Island
Species: Giant manta rays, red lipped batfish and lots of sharks
Fernandina Island
Fernandina Island is home to flightless cormorants, giant rays, marine iguanas and sea lions. There are lots of animals on the youngest island. It’s part of most liveaboards in Galapagos, making it simple to travel to and from.
It is less than a million years old and is volcanically active, this is a must-see and the feeling of being around this location is magical.
Location: Westernmost Island
Species: Marine Iguana, Flightless Cormorants and Sharks
Why Go on a Galapagos Liveaboard?
Galapagos is a world-class scuba diving haven with pristine, crystal clear waters, stunning marine life and lots of unique dive sites.
Liveaboards offer exclusive access to remote islands like Darwin and Wolf Islands that cannot be accessed by anyone outside of cruises. Look out for manta rays, vast schools of shark species, whale sharks and turtles.
Galapagos is one for the bucket list, and it is celebrated for numerous reasons. With so many breathtaking and different dive sites in the Galapagos and places to see, the only way to make the most of it is via a Galapagos liveaboard. This way, you will get a personalised and small-group experience to socialise with like-minded divers, enjoy rare species and also check out lots of different wish-list locations.
What is the Total Cost of Galapagos Liveaboard Trip?
The price of an 8 day and 7 night trip comes to around £4500/$5974 but if you book early and keep a lookout, it’s possible to find 37% off on Liveaboard.com and the prices vary between each boat. The prices depend on whether you pick a luxury boat or something more affordable.
If you’re trying to save cash then it’s worth signing up to the e-mail updates, I have found many bargains in doing this, they also cut prices by 25% if they have a space left on a last minute deal.
I’m often among the first to know about upcoming deals for Galapagos liveaboards. If you’re interested in booking, feel free to contact me for the latest offers.
Best Time to Dive Galapagos
The best time to dive Galapagos for scuba diving is between December and May. Between December and May is the warm season with a water temperature of 23 and 25 Degrees Celsius, if you prefer warmer water then this is the ideal climate for you.
If you want to visit Galapagos during Whale Shark Season then you’ll want to use the Galapagos Master liveaboard between June and November.
It is also a busier time of the year with divers, stronger currents and plenty of manta rays. You can make the most of the sharks and rays that surround the dive sites; the rays are often attracted to the plankton that’s blooming at this time of the year.
You will also spot mating marine iguanas, schooling hammerheads and blue-footed boobies during this season.
Another popular time of the year is June to November. It’s not as busy due to the water being colder than other seasons, it falls to temperatures of around 20 degrees celsius. In fact, during this time there is an even more diverse list of species to be seen in higher numbers including manta rays, silky sharks and marine iguanas around the islands.
Galapagos Water Temperature
Galapagos’ water temperature has a high of 25°C and a low of 21.7°C. It remains hot in the first quarter of the year, offering more comfortable diving temperatures, and cold from middle to the end of the year.
Be aware that it can dip lower than the average and thermoclines at dive sites across the Galapagos are very common and may take you by surprise, so always consider good thermal protection, even in the warmer months.
Here is a chart showing the Galapagos water temperature by month.
Is Diving in the Galapagos Worth It?
Diving in the Galapagos is undeniably worth it, offering unmatched experiences with its rich biodiversity.
Diving here offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. From personal encounters with schools of hammerheads to the serene presence of sea lions, the Galapagos presents a diving adventure like no other. The exclusivity of diving spots, often enjoyed without the crowd, enhances its allure.
Whether exploring the iconic Darwin and Wolf Islands or drifting along vibrant coral reefs, the Galapagos affirms its status as a top diving destination, making every dive an unforgettable exploration of the underwater world.
There’s a diverse range of sea life that will have wildlife enthusiasts in awe, if you’re looking to book a Galapagos boat trip then use the specialist liveaboards with excellent operator reputation that we have listed such as Galaxy Diver or Humboldt Explorer.
How Do I Book A Galapagos Liveaboard Tour?
If you want to book the best Galapagos liveaboard, then follow these easy steps:
- Read through the boats that I have listed, they are in order- showing the best first.
- You don’t need to commit, but you can see the full details by clicking the “Check on Liveaboard” button.
- Take a look at the available dates, the rooms and the destinations.
- Simply, check the terms and conditions, once you’re happy you can pay your deposit or settle it in one.
If you want to find out more about the Galaxy Diver II, from how to book to which dive sites it visits, get in touch with me through my Facebook page – I’d be happy to help answer any questions and help you book!
Are There Liveaboards for Non-Divers in the Galapagos?
Yes, there are liveaboards in the Galapagos for non-divers. These liveaboards cater to nature enthusiasts who want to explore the islands’ unique wildlife and landscapes without diving.
They offer activities like snorkeling, hiking, wildlife viewing, and guided island tours. Some vessels are designed to accommodate both divers and non-divers, ensuring a diverse experience.
Non-divers can still enjoy the beauty of the Galapagos from above the water while participating in a wide range of excursions. It’s a great way to experience the islands’ biodiversity and natural wonders without needing to dive.
Galapagos Liveaboard Reviews
Source: Tripadvisor
Is Galapagos Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, the Galapagos Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, recognising their incredible natural significance.
The designation celebrates the archipelago’s extraordinary biodiversity, including numerous endemic species that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. With ecosystems virtually untouched by human influence, the Galapagos Islands serve as a critical sanctuary for wildlife and a living laboratory for scientific research, underscoring the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to preserve their unique heritage for future generations.
For more information on some of the work that is taking place to protect and conserve this special place, visit the webpages of the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
All of the liveaboard boats I have listed in this review work closely with the Galapagos National Park to ensure their environmental footprint is minimal. They have standards they are required to achieve and adhere to, set by the authorities and partners, to ensure that these special islands are protected for future generations.
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