Darwin and Wolf, Galapagos Islands
April 19-26, 2025
8-Day liveaboard Expedition
Trips to the Galapagos Islands, specifically Darwin and Wolf Islands in the north, are arguably the most sought after dive experience available anywhere on Earth. These tiny islands witness the gathering of the largest aggregations of hammerhead sharks in the world, as well as many other pelagic creatures. They can only be dived by liveaboard vessel, and few regularly make the journey. Join our 8-day expedition aboard the Tiburon Explorer to experience the world’s best diving.
$5,599/person
(price reflects accommodation in a standard double occupancy cabin; options available)
INCLUDING
7-night stay aboard Tiburon Explorer
8-day itinerary (up to 19 dives; 12 around Darwin and Wolf, marine iguana dive included)
Guided land tours
North Seymour nature walk
Santa Cruz giant tortoise preserve
All meals, snacks, water, local beer, juice, coffee, tea
Airport transfers
All associated tax
EXCLUDING
Rental dive equipment
Airfare
Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card ($200 + $20 paid upon arrival)
Fuel surcharge ($150 paid upon arrival to the vessel)
Alcoholic beverages and sodas
Crew gratuity
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
Unlimited Nitrox - $150/week
100L tanks (25% larger than standard) - $100/week
NOTICES
5% charge for PayPal and credit card payments
Diver insurance required / Travelers insurance highly recommended
Limited space available…reserve yours now.
Scalloped hammerheads congregate in the hundreds around the pinnacles of Darwin and Wolf, the northern islands of Galapagos. Nowhere else in the world will you find shark density and diversity as high.
Bottlenose dolphins, along with many other cetaceans, visit the waters around Galapagos, especially the rich feeding grounds around Darwin and Wolf Islands.
Spotted eagle rays and other marine megafauna like manta rays, whale sharks, all call the deep rich waters around Galapagos home. Darwin and Wolf have the highest abundance of these creatures.
dive & Stay - Tiburon explorer
Galapagos sea lions are one of the guaranteed residents you’ll encounter during your diving around the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf. Photo credit to Aura Banda (IG @aura_naturephotography)
Accessible only through Ecuador, the world-renowned Galapagos National Park and surrrounding Galapagos Marine Reserve offers a chance to dive the wild ocean and view nature in it's purest state. The park consists of more than 13 main islands and hundreds of smaller rocks and islets, and the 50,000 square miles of deep ocean surrounding them. During this trip you will explore the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf aboard Tiburon Explorer. The itinerary will include a majority of dives around Darwin and Wolf, with other dives at iconic spots on the journey to and from the north.
Darwin and Wolf Islands are the crown jewel in any divers career. Known for huge aggregations of scalloped hammerhead, silky and Galapagos sharks, and for playing an integral part in the life history of whale sharks, you will dive 15 of your 19 dives around these two remote islets. On the way to and from Darwin and Wolf, you’ll visit areas little known to man, and you may encounter some of the most unique marine creatures on the face of the planet, including a dive with the Galapagos marine iguanas.
A giant oceanic manta ray cruises the nutrient-rich waters of Galapagos. Divers can hope to encounter these, as well as schooling hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and many others around Darwin and Wolf.
To access the furthest reaches of the Galápagos in complete safety, comfort and style, we’ll live aboard and dive from Tiburon Explorer, outfitted especially for diving the Galapagos. Nearly brand new and built to accommodate small personal groups in exactly the types of conditions found in Galapagos, Tiburon Explorer will ferry you from the point of embarkation on Santa Cruz, through a loop around the northern-most islands, and back. Enjoy your time out of the water in your cabin or in any one of the common areas/sundecks. Air-conditioned cabins and en-suite bathrooms ensure your journey is as comfortable as possible.
The latest in boat safety, diver safety technology, small personal groups of six maximum, and knowledgeable, experienced guides work to make sure your dive experience unfolds safely, giving you peace of mind to enjoy the best diving in the world.
Recommendation: Divers should be comfortable in choppy surface conditions, performing a safety stop without a guide and diving in moderate current.
EXPERT GUIDEs - ALEX LICHTBLAU & Galápagos National Park Rangers
Alex lived on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos for one year and began his diving career there. He learned to dive in 2011 and spent the next year advancing up through Rescue diver and familiarizing himself with Galápagos diving conditions. During that time he also worked for the Charles Darwin Foundation, and developed an intimate knowledge of the ecosystems and species of the famous islands.
During your trip, Alex will serve not only as one of your dive buddies in the water, but as your personal expert liaison to the islands and all of its diving & non-diving attractions. Alex is fluent in Spanish and his relationships guarantee you a genuine local experience like no one else can provide. Dive the best spots with Alex and your designated National Park Ranger divemaster.
Rely on Alex throughout your trip for all of your planning and booking needs, as well as for assistance during your time on Galápagos. Vacation like a local.
Alex learned to dive, and completed his first 80 dives, in the waters of Galapagos. Join him on the most sought after dive trip in the world, Darwin and Wolf.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Of course there are plenty of things to do and see besides the diving in Galapagos. If you’d like to plan for more time on either side of your trip to explore the Galapagos, join Alex for tours of North Seymour Island and a giant tortoise preserve on Santa Cruz. Ask Alex and Inside Under to help plan additional time on the most famous islands in the world.
CONNECTION INFORMATION
All the information you will need to get to Galapagos will be provided to make your travel experience as seamless as possible.
BOOKING AND PAYMENT INFORMATION
Have more questions? Ready to get in the water? Securing a spot is easy, and so is learning more! In order to secure your spot, there is an initial $1000 deposit, and the remainder will be paid in three installments; the first being $1500, paid by June 1, 2024, the second being 50% of the balance paid by October 1, 2024, and the third and final payment being the final 50% of the balance, paid by January 1, 2025. Ask Alex about payment method options.