- Witness the unparalleled biodiversity that inspired Charles Darwin
- Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Search for whale sharks at the remote Darwin and Wolf Islands
- See endemic penguins, fur seals, marine iguanas and giant tortoises
- Hike the highlands of Santa Cruz to a Galapagos tortoise sanctuary
- Dive with up to 30 different species of shark during one incredible trip!
- Large marine life including manta rays, dolphins and sea lions
Day 1: Arrival / Snorkel Tour / Dive Briefing
Meet at Passenger Pier at 12.30 in Puerto Ayora for lunch on board. After lunch will be time for souvenir shopping, sightseeing of the local town and at around 14.00 you will take a snorkelling tour in Santa Cruz island Bay. A welcome cocktail and dinner will be served on board, later there will be a briefing about diving and security practices. Nortada will depart at midnight with destination to Carrión Point.
Day 2: Carrion Point / Baltra Ne / Cousin Rock
Usually starting at 6 am, one morning dive check is done at Carrión Point or the north-eastern portion of Baltra Island. First dive is followed by breakfast while Nortada refuels in Baltra. After refuelling, a two hour navigation will take you to Cousin Rock for one or two dives. Carrión Point and Baltra NE are considered “warm up” dives where dive procedures and equipment are tested and enforced or adapted. Cousin Rock is one of the most popular dive sites in the central islands. The islet is formed by volcanic tuff.
Day 3: Wolf Island
Up to 4 dives during the day at Shark Bay Point, El Derrumbe, La Ventana Islet and La Banana; and one optional night dive during day 3 or day 5. Wolf Island is located in the northwest of the Archipelago. Wolf is known as “The Mecca of Sharks”. Divers are usually able to swim alongside several species of sharks, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays and colourful schools of fishes.
Wolf also offers an opportunity to explore the erosion of underwater caverns and tunnels. Meals are scheduled around diving, usually with one dive before breakfast and one dive after lunch. The better part of the night is spent in the anchorage and transit to Darwin starts in the early AM of day 4.
Day 4: Darwin Island
It is located in the northwest of the Archipelago. Up to 4 dives are done on this day. Darwin is considered as one of the best places to dive over the world. Divers are usually able to see several species of sharks, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays and colourful schools of fishes. Schooling hammerhead sharks and whale sharks are the highlights of dives at Darwin’s Arch. Meals are scheduled around diving, usually with one dive before breakfast and one dive after lunch. Transit back to Wolf and dinner. Navigation is roughly 20 nautical miles / 2 hours.
Day 5: Wolf Island
Up to 4 dives during the day at Shark Bay Point, El Derrumbe, La Ventana Islet and La Banana; and one optional night dive during day 3 or day 5. The marine life of Wolf Island includes: schooling hammerhead sharks, occasionally whale sharks, as well as green turtles, manta rays and other pelagic fish. Birdlife on the island is abundant with frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and vampire finches. Meals are scheduled around diving, usually with one dive before breakfast and one dive after lunch. Navigation to Cape Douglas will be 100 nautical miles and can be rough at times.
Day 6: Cape Douglas / Vicente Roca Point
One or two dives are done in Cape Douglas followed by a short transit of about 90 minutes to Vicente Roca Point for one or two dives. Up to 4 dives are done on this day. Isabela and Fernandina dive sites are where Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas and several other endemic species can be seen consistently.
The highlight in Cape Douglas are the marine iguanas feeding underwater but red lipped batfish, horn sharks and Mola-Mola plus different types of Baleen Whales, are usually sighted during this day.
Day 7: Cape Marshall / Roca Blanca
Located in the northeast coast of Isabela, these volcanic walls are sparsely covered with black coral bushes. During January to May, divers usually enjoy encounters with Giant Mantas; schools of fish, including the endemic black-stripped Salema, white- tip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks and some hammerheads. Up to 4 dives are done on this day.
Day 8: Puerto Ayora / Transfer Out
Breakfast and check out from Nortada followed by a land visit to Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Charles Darwin Research Station. The breeding centre land visit will provide an opportunity to learn about the breeding programs for giant tortoises and land iguanas. If required, a transfer to the airport with a visit to the tortoises in the wild can be arranged for an additional fee.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
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