15 day Galapagos Itinerary


Every week, every day dive and water conditions change in the Galapagos Islands. If you decide for the 15 day / 14 night liveaboard dive experience you will double your chance to see the wildlife you are coming for - hundreds of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, marine iguanas, sunfish - and so much more! 

Galapagos Shark Diving - 15 day Galapagos Itinerary

Tuesday

Morning: Santa Cruz - Baltra Airport

Afternoon: Santa Cruz - Baltra Island (1 check dive)

Wednesday

Morning: Cape Marshall (2 dives)

Afternoon: City of Mantas (1 dive)

Thursday

Morning: Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

Afternoon: Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

Friday

Morning: Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

Afternoon: Wolf Island (2 dives)

Saturday

Morning: Wolf Island (2 dives)

Afternoon: Wolf Island (1 dive)

Sunday

Morning: Punta Vivente Roca (1 dive)

Afternoon: Cape Douglas (1 dive)

Monday

Morning: Cousin's Rock (2 dives)

Afternoon: Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay

Tuesday

Morning: Santa Cruz - Baltra (optional land visit)

Afternoon: North Seymour (1 dive)

Wednesday

Morning: Cape Marshall (2 dives)

Afternoon: City of Mantas (1 dive)

Thursday

Morning: Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

Afternoon: Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

Friday

Morning: Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

Afternoon: Wolf Island (2 dives)

Saturday

Morning: Wolf Island (2 dives)

Afternoon: Wolf Island (1 dive)

Sunday

Morning: Punta Vivente Roca (1 dive)

Afternoon: Cape Douglas (1 dive)

Monday

Morning: Cousin's Rock (2 dives)

Afternoon: Santa Cruz - Highlands with Giant tortoises

Tuesday

Early Morning: Baltra Airport depart or continue with land extension



Galapagos Shark Diving - Sea lion playing close to the surface

Day 1 - TUESDAY - BALTRA ISLAND -Arrival , transfer & Check Dive

AM - Baltra Island

Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning. The GWSP dive masters and yacht dive master/naturalist guide will be waiting at the airport on Baltra Island. Once the group has collected their luggage and cleared the National Park immigrations we will  board the Yacht which will be anchored in the port 10 minutes travel by bus. After everyone has settled in their cabins the guides will give a briefing on ship life, national park rules and diving safety, whilst the galley crew prepare the dining room for a delicious buffet lunch.

 

PM - Baltra Island (Check dive, equipment and weights)

After a briefing on the dive platform all equipment should be set up in readiness for the test dive. This will be at a nearby anchorage in calm shallow waters. Maximum depth of 12m. Although plentiful fish and usually sea lions and other species are to be seen, the objective is to check  weight and equipment for the following days.

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Giant Manta with a diver face to face in Cape Marshall in the Galapagos Islands

Day 2 - WEDNESDAY: Cape Marshall / City of Mantas

AM & PM - Cape Marshall (2 - 3 Dives)

This area on the northeast side of Isabela island offers a few great dive spots. One of them is Cape Marshall, also called 'Ciudad de las Mantas' (City of Mantas), named for how common it is to see giant mantas. The plankton-rich waters of this area are an attraction for many species of rays - like the eagle ray or giant manta, white tip sharks, sea lions, green sea turtles and many more. The topography is beautiful and invites divers to enjoy their first dives in the Galapagos Islands.

 

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Big school of hammerhead sharks at Darwin Arch

Day 3 - Thursday: DARWIN's arch 

AM & PM - Darwin Island (4 dives)

All four dives are at the same site, the world renowned Darwin Arch. We drop on to a rocky ledge and from a protected position watch the marine life swim by. Hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, Black tips and Silkies. Marine turtles abound and Bottlenose dolphins often pass by overhead. Huge schools of fish, tuna, jacks and Creole fish swim in the blue whilst dozens of other species inhabit the coral covered platform and ledges. 


Galapagos Shark Diving - Whale shark illuminated by the sun in Darwin's Arch

Day 4 - Friday: Darwin's arch & WOLF ISLAND 

 

AM - Darwin's Arch (2 dives)

This is also the realm of the biggest shark of them all, the Whale shark. Frequenting the Islands between June – December over 95% of all sightings occur here at the Arch. Of these a staggering 99% are female and in an apparent state of advanced pregnancy. Why they come to this rocky volcanic outcrop remains a mystery and one that the Galapagos Whale Shark Project team is trying to solve. 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Diver with a silky shark in the Galapagos Islands

PM - Wolf Island (2 dives)

The powerful marine currents around Wolf are part of the reason we see so many sharks. Schooling hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, Black tip and Silky sharks are the usual protagonists. Dolphins are often present as we end our dives with a drift in the blue. Two turtle species, the Green and Hawksbill are frequently sighted along the rocky walls and slopes of this island. Eagle rays and large schools of fish, snappers, grouper and jacks patrol the drop-off. 

Depending on the conditions we will offer a night dive in Wolf Island.

 

The island is home to vast numbers of sea birds, Red footed and Nazca Boobies, frigate birds, the endemic Swallow – tailed gull and the elegant Red – billed tropicbird. Finches and doves are often spotted hoping amongst the rocks. 


Galapagos Shark Diving - Close encounter with a Galapagos shark and a Hammerhead shark in the Galapagos Islands

Day 5 - SATURDAY: WOLF ISLAND

AM & PM - Wolf Island (3 dives)

Another full  day exploring the diverse dive sites of Wolf. The dives may take us to the swim through arches and along the spectacular walls and cave entrances. Again the local conditions will decide which are the best options dependent on current and swell. More time to observe the sharks and marine megafauna or study the massive diversity of life that inhabits the large coral heads and boulder slopes. Towards evening we set sail for the north of Isabela Island.

Galapagos Shark Diving - Sunfish in Punte Vicente Roca, Galapagos

Day 6 - SUNDAY: Punta Vivente Roca / Cape Douglas

AM - Punta Vicente Roca (1 dive)

This morning we will dive at Punta Vicente Roca. Best known for the frequent sightings of Mola alexandrini, the southern ocean sunfish. The Molas approach the wall to visit the cleaning stations where wrasses and angelfish await. Sea lions and Galapagos fur seals abound and often follow divers playing with bubbles and darting in and out of schools of sardine sized Brown striped Salemas. The wall is one of the most diverse of all Galapagos for marine invertebrates and is one of the favourite sites for macro photography. Brightly coloured blennies, Long nose coral hawkfish, frogfish and sea horses can be found amongst the solitary corals, anemones, tunicates and sponges. Green sea turtles are present all year and whales are often spotted in these waters.

Galapagos Shark Diving - Marine Iguana in Cape Douglas, Galapapagos

PM - Cape Douglas (1 dive)

After sailing across the Bolivar channel to Fernandina Island we will dive at Cape Douglas. Showcased by many documentaries including BBC’s Blue Planet I & II, this is where marine iguanas are to be found feeding in the shallow bays between 5-10m. A unique experience that can only be had in the Galapagos we also find the endemic flightless cormorant and Galapagos penguins feeding here. The cold ocean upwelling from the Cromwell current brings a myriad of life to an apparently stark volcanic shore.

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Green Sea Turtle and a diver

Day 7 - Monday - Cousin's ROck / santa Cruz

AM - Cousin's Rock (2 Dives)

In Cousin's Rock we often find playful sea lions, Eagle rays, Golden rays and sometimes Mobula and Giant Pacific manta rays. The underwater topography provides refuge for sleeping turtles and white tip sharks whilst the steep walls are covered by marine invertebrates. Two species of black coral, sponges and colonial tunicates are a colourful backdrop for the abundant fish that frequent this emergent volcanic cone. The currents often found here attract some of the larger shark species such as hammerheads and black tip sharks. Amongst the corals we sometimes find Pacific golden sea horses and frogfish.

Marine Iguanas at the beach in Galapagos

 

PM - Santa Cruz Tortuga Bay (land excursion)

After the dive we will go to Santa Cruz Island. Take your swimming suit with you - we are going to Tortuga Bay - one of the most beautiful beaches in Galapagos! If you feel more like souvenir shopping - no problem at all. Puerto Ayora is a nice little town to walk around.

 

 

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Sea lion playing in the water

Day 8 - TUESDAY:  NORTH SEYMOUR

AM - Santa Cruz

Morning to organise photos, do some yoga on the sundeck (guided if requested), read and relax. 

 

 

PM - Baltra/North Seymour

Depending on the weather conditions we will explore the channel between Baltra Island and North Seymour. You can find plentiful fish and usually sea lions and other species are to be seen.

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Eagle Ray in the Galapagos Islands

Day 9 - WEDNESDAY: Cape Marshall / City of Mantas

AM & PM - Cape Marshall (2 - 3 Dives)

This area on the northeast side of Isabela island offers a few great dive spots. One of them is Cape Marshall, also called 'Ciudad de las Mantas' (City of Mantas), named for how common it is to see giant mantas. The plankton-rich waters of this area are an attraction for many species of rays - like the eagle ray or giant manta, white tip sharks, sea lions, green sea turtles and many more. The topography is beautiful and invites divers to enjoy their first dives in the Galapagos Islands.

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Whale Shark with a diver in Darwin's Arch

Day 10 - Thursday: DARWIN's Arch 

AM & PM - Darwin Island (4 dives)

All four dives are at the same site, the world renowned Darwin Arch. We drop on to a rocky ledge and from a protected position watch the marine life swim by. Hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, Black tips and Silkies. Marine turtles abound and Bottlenose dolphins often pass by overhead. Huge schools of fish, tuna, jacks and Creole fish swim in the blue whilst dozens of other species inhabit the coral covered platform and ledges. 

 

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Whale Shark and diver in a very close encounter

Day 11 - Friday: Darwin's Arch & WOLF ISLAND 

 

AM - Darwin's Arch (2 dives) 

This is also the realm of the biggest shark of them all, the Whale shark. Frequenting the Islands between June – December over 95% of all sightings occur here at the Arch. Of these a staggering 99% are female and in an apparent state of advanced pregnancy. Why they come to this rocky volcanic outcrop remains a mystery and one that the Galapagos Whale Shark Project team is trying to solve. 

Galapagos Shark Diving - school of hammerhead sharks swimming by

 

PM - Wolf Island (2 dives)

The powerful marine currents around Wolf are part of the reason we see so many sharks. Schooling hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, Black tip and Silky sharks are the usual protagonists. Dolphins are often present as we end our dives with a drift in the blue. Two turtle species, the Green and Hawksbill are frequently sighted along the rocky walls and slopes of this island. Eagle rays and large schools of fish, snappers, grouper and jacks patrol the drop-off. Another chance to do a night dive today! 

 

 

Galapagos Shark Diving - Hammerhead shark in the Galapagos Islands

Day 12 - SATURDAY: WOLF ISLAND

AM & PM - Wolf Island (3 dives)

Another full  day exploring the diverse dive sites of Wolf. The dives may take us to the swim through arches and along the spectacular walls and cave entrances. Again the local conditions will decide which are the best options dependent on current and swell. More time to observe the sharks and marine megafauna or study the massive diversity of life that inhabits the large coral heads and boulder slopes. Towards evening we set sail for the north of Isabela Island, once again sailing overnight.

 

Day 13 - SUNDAY: Punta Vivente Roca / Cape Douglas

AM - Punta Vicente Roca (1 dive)

This morning we will dive at Punta Vicente Roca. Best known for the frequent sightings of Mola alexandrini, the southern ocean sunfish. The Molas approach the wall to visit the cleaning stations where wrasses and angelfish await. Sea lions and Galapagos fur seals abound and often follow divers playing with bubbles and darting in and out of schools of sardine sized Brown striped Salemas. 

Penguin swimming by in Punte Vicente Roca, Galapagos

The wall is one of the most diverse of all Galapagos for marine invertebrates and is one of the favourite sites for macro photography. Brightly coloured blennies, Long nose coral hawkfish, frogfish and sea horses can be found amongst the solitary corals, anemones, tunicates and sponges. Green sea turtles are present all year and whales are often spotted in these waters.


PM - Cape Douglas (1 dive)

After sailing across the Bolivar channel to Fernandina Island we will dive at Cape Douglas. Showcased by many documentaries including BBC’s Blue Planet I & II, this is where marine iguanas are to be found feeding in the shallow bays between 5-10m. 

 

Selfie with a Marine iguana (and a diver) in Cape Douglas on the Galapagos Islands

The cold ocean upwelling from the Cromwell current brings a myriad of life to an apparently stark volcanic shore. A unique experience that can only be had in the Galapagos we also find the endemic flightless cormorant and Galapagos penguins feeding here. 

 

 


Day 14 - MONDAY: Cousin's Rock / Santa Cruz

AM - Cousin's Rock (2 dives)

In Cousin's Rock we often find playful sea lions, Eagle rays, Golden rays and sometimes Mobula and Giant Pacific manta rays. The underwater topography provides refuge for sleeping turtles and white tip sharks whilst the steep walls are covered by marine invertebrates. 

Papageien fish surrounded by a big school of little fish while diving in Cousin's Rock, Galapagos, © Galapagos Shark Diving

Two species of black coral, sponges and colonial tunicates are a colourful backdrop for the abundant fish that frequent this emergent volcanic cone. The currents often found here attract some of the larger shark species such as hammerheads and black tip sharks.  Amongst the corals we sometimes find Pacific golden sea horses and frogfish. 


Galapagos Shark Diving - Giant tortoises in the Galapagos

 

PM - Santa Cruz

After the dive we will go to Santa Cruz Island. Here we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to see Giant tortoises in the wild. On our visit we also will make a stop at a lava tunnel and often mistaken for volcanic craters, Los Gemelos – or “The Twins” in English – are actually sinkholes.

Galapagos Shark Diving - Blacktip shark surrounded by a big school of creole fish in the Galapagos Islands

Day 15 - TUESDAY: BALTRA AIRPORT

AM - Santa Cruz

Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra, where we will take the airport shuttle. Your guide will accompany you to the check-in counters in the departure hall. 

This is certainly one adventure that will change your lives and you will remember forever... until you return perhaps?