Calipso

Constructed in 1991, rebuilt and relaunched in 2019, M.V. Calipso is a stylish 109 ft (33m) long steel-hulled motor yacht, fitted with and powered by 2 Cummins 400 HP marine engines and authorized to conduct week long Galapagos liveboard diving tours.

This modern yacht has 8 en-suite cabins to accommodate 16 guests, and has plenty of space onboard. Each cabin has a TV with a large selection of onboard films.

The social areas have been well designed for guest comfort. The sundeck has a Jacuzzi, sun beds, bar and BBQ area. The spacious air-conditioned saloon with panoramic windows on both sides has a large flat-screen TV for briefings and movies, and there is a comfortable dining area and bar. Calipso is the only liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands to offer wifi to guests. The yacht has 11 crew members available to attend to guest needs.

The dive deck has been expanded for greater space and features a bi-level rinse tank and table for cameras, charging stations, a nitrox air system, towels embroidered by cabin number to assure guest hygiene. Diver safety is a priority and this is expressed with the free guest use of Nautilus Lifelines, Dive Alerts, SMBs, and safety noisemakers. There is also a bathroom and 4 hot water shower heads on the dive deck. Educational dive briefings are given by video, and all dives are done from the 2 motorized pangas.

Special offers: For special discounted prices, check the yellow highlighted trips in the schedule above.

Notes: Galapagos is a popular destination with limited liveaboard spaces. We recommend you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dive experience: January-May departures: a minimum of 50 logged dives with experience in strong current and 7mm wetsuits are required. June-December tours: a minimum of 100 logged dives with experience in strong current and 7mm wetsuits are required. Nitrox is compulsory if you have less than 100 dives. The nitrox course can be taken on board.
Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, 1 soft drinks, land tours, transfers to the boat from the airport in San Cristobal, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (1 guide for every 8 divers), dive alert, basic SMB, Nautilus Lifeline, tanks, weights and weightbelt.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (US$ 250 per week), dive computer (US$ 70 per week), gloves, diving insurance, chamber fee (US$ 35), Galapagos park and reserve entrance fees (US$ 100), transit card (US$ 20). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card. Credit cards are subject to a 4% processing fee).

Optional extras: Nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 150 per week), Nitrox course on board (US$ 300 half paid in advance, half on board), 13.2 litre tank (US$ 60 per week), torch, alcoholic drinks. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: Calipso's liveaboard diving tours in the Galapagos Islands depart from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal. Guests fly into Ecuador and take a daily connecting flight, through Guayaquil or Quito, to San Cristobal. The recommended flight is Avianca AV1630 which lands in Galapagos at 12:40 hrs. Guests will be met at the airport and escorted to the vessel. You will need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito before flying on to the Galapagos.
If guests arrive in Galapagos before the cruise departure date, you can meet the boat in San Cristobal at the main passenger dock by 13:00 hrs to be collected by zodiac.
On the return leg the recommended flight is Avianca AV1631 which leaves from Galapagos at 13:20 hrs and arrives in Guayaquil (and then Quito) mid-afternoon. The last dive of the trip will be at around 11:00 hrs on the penultimate day. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

We can place your domestic flight requirements with the liveaboard operator upon request. For more information see our Galapagos travel information section.

Non-diver rate: USD 200 off the full published price.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional. Single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 70% of the published price for cabins on the main and upper decks.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 7 guests, and 1 additional person can join the cruise free of charge. See whole boat charter rate below, equivalent to pay for 14 guests and 2 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (total of 16 divers).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): See group discount policy above.

Add-on package: For most visitors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime destination, and the land creatures and environments are just as impressive as those underwater. You can extend your time in this nature-lovers paradise by adding a 3, 4 or 7 night non-diving wildlife liveaboard safari. These are nature tours around some of the finest locations in the Galapagos with naturalist guides, literature and presentations. Don't just leave after a week of scuba diving, get the full picture of the incredible Galapagos islands!

Calipso has 10 cabins with ensuite cabins. There are 6 double/twin bed cabins on the upper deck, and 2 double/twin bed cabins on the main deck. The average cabin size is 130 sq ft/12 sqm. Cabins have panoramic windows. No carpets are used, in order to help alleviate allergens.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 9 / 12 - hot water

Customer reviews:

"Excellent overall service, including dive guides and the boat staff. The dive sites were absolutely incredible, especially Darwin and Wolf." - Karol Galanciak, Poland, 20 January 2020 ...

"The boat, crew, dive rental equipment are all excellent and cannot be faulted. If the boat's list is addressed in dry dock and the diving schedule had an earlier start I would give it an excellent rating." - Duncan Wright, USA, 17 September 2019 ...