GALAPAGOS MASTER

(2 customer reviews)

32m / 106ft MAX 16 NITROX PADI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 536

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE SPECIAL OFFERS APPLY

At a glance:

Visits central Galapagos, Wolf & Darwin
Runs 7 and 10 night liveaboard trips
All cabins have private bathrooms
Dive The World Gold Range product
Local brands of alcohol free
Steel hulled boat

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A diving trip to the Galapagos Islands is a definitive expedition. It demands a vessel engineered for resilience and comfort across vast oceanic distances. The Galapagos Master liveaboard, a 105-foot (32m) steel hull motor yacht, meets this demand with purpose. Built for stability and extensively refurbished, it operates on thoughtfully designed 7- and 10-night cruises. These diving tours offer the distinctive opportunity to explore both the central islands and the remote northern regions of Wolf and Darwin, regions separated by over 160 nautical miles of open ocean. With a cruising speed of 12.5 knots and a dedicated crew, the Galapagos Master transitions efficiently between these biodiverse zones, serving as a reliable and comfortable home for a comprehensive Galapagos diving experience.

The Galapagos Master’s key operational advantage is its authorization to conduct extended liveaboard trips that include the far northern islands. This access is carefully managed within the regulations of the Galapagos National Park. Each cruise balances the pelagic intensity of Wolf and Darwin, known for strong currents and large marine life congregations, with the rich, more varied ecosystems of the central and western sites. In these areas, divers may encounter everything from marine iguanas and penguins at Punta Vicente Roca to the macro-life havens of sites like Cousins Rock. Tours are complemented by guided land excursions, such as visits to North Seymour or the highlands of Santa Cruz, providing a view of the archipelago’s unique evolutionary story.

Understanding that divers value practicality after challenging dives, the Galapagos Master liveaboard is configured for functionality and respite. The dive deck is equipped with dedicated camera stations and rinse tanks, along with convenient amenities like freshwater showers and a toilet. A dedicated crew of 12 supports a maximum of 18 guests across 9 well-appointed, en-suite cabins, ensuring attentive service and maintaining an intimate atmosphere. Social spaces are designed for relaxation and camaraderie; the air-conditioned main saloon offers a library and entertainment system, while the expansive sun deck provides both shaded and open areas for soaking in the dramatic island scenery. These spaces facilitate the shared experience, allowing divers to decompress and connect.

Choosing the Galapagos Master means sailing with an liveaboard operator that emphasizes operational excellence and environmental responsibility. The significant investment in the vessel’s refurbishment reflects a commitment to safety, guest comfort, and reducing environmental impact through modern systems. The crew’s familiarity with Galapagos protocols ensures dives are conducted with a strong emphasis on safety and respect for the fragile ecosystem. This professional approach allows guests to focus entirely on the experience, supported by a team dedicated to seamless logistics and fostering a respectful engagement with one of the planet’s most precious marine reserves.

The Galapagos Islands are not a typical dive destination; they are an expedition that rewards preparation and respect. The Galapagos Master liveaboard is purpose-built for this reality, offering a robust platform that combines extended range, diver-centric amenities, and professional execution. It is an ideal choice for divers seeking a comprehensive cruise that accesses the archipelago’s most iconic remote sites without sacrificing comfort or operational reliability. This Galapagos Master enables a focused immersion into the Galapagos, where the wonder lies in the authentic, unpredictable encounters with a wild and thriving ecosystem.

MV Galapagos Master has 1 middle deck cabin which features a queen-size bed and has 2 large picture windows. There are also 4 upper deck cabins with large windows and twin beds that can be combined to double beds. The 4 lower deck Classic cabins have portholes and twin beds side by side. The middle deck cabins and upper deck cabins are the same Premium price. Any of the 9 cabins could be used for guests.

All the cabins have:

Air-conditioning
Large windows on upper and middle decks, portholes on lower deck
En-suite bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
Hand basin, toiletries, towels and hairdryer
Reading lights

Bedside cabinet and mirror
2 and 3-flat pin 110-220V electricity, European and USA adapters available
Bedding and luggage space
Life jackets
Fire warning system

No. of bathrooms / showers - 9 / 9 - hot water

Central Galapagos, Wolf & Darwin

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, seals/sea lions, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities

Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, off the beaten track

Dive sites and activities: Isla Lobos, Punta Carrion, Baltra North, Wolf Island, Darwin Island, Cabo Douglas, Punta Vincente Roca, Cousins Rock, plus 3 land visits at North Seymour, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.

Day 1
Board the Galapagos Master in Baquerizo Moreno harbour and dive straight into your adventure. You’ll start with a concise boat briefing and crew introduction to get you up to speed on safety and layout. Share a freshly prepared lunch with your new dive buddies, then slip into the water for an afternoon check dive to sharpen your skills. Back on deck, enjoy dinner as the Galapagos Master raises anchor and heads out to the archipelago’s premier dive sites.

Core Days
Expect to do 4 dives on most days of the liveaboard tour, except on days that require a long journey between islands, when you can expect 2 or 3 dives. From the moment you cut through the surface at Wolf Island, scalloped hammerheads spiral along the walls, Galapagos and silky sharks patrol the blue, and marble rays and green turtles slip between cleaning stations.
At Darwin Island, enormous whale sharks - some over 12 m - glide past at arm’s length from June to November, while silver cyclones of bigeye trevally swirl with playful sea lions and Galapagos sharks, and hammerheads silhouette your slow ascent.
Cabo Marshall’s volcanic walls draped in black coral become a theatre for oceanic mantas performing graceful somersaults in the current, their shadows dancing over anemone gardens as long-nosed hawkfish peer from gorgonians and barracuda hover in tight spirals.
At Cabo Douglas, marine iguanas graze algae off rocky ledges, reef sharks nap in sunlit shallows, and Galapagos penguins torpedo through sardine schools in a ballet of predator and prey.
Punta Vicente Roca blends macro and mega - red-lipped batfish hop across sandy slopes, bottlenose dolphins race alongside divers, and the Cave of Sleeping Sharks reveals white-tip reef sharks lying motionless in crevices, their gills pulsing like hypnotic metronomes. Dive after dive, the archipelago’s pelagic giants leave you breathless long after you’ve resurfaced.
During your trip you will also take part in a land tour of North Seymour island and a visit to Santa Cruz island to see the giant tortoises.

Final Day
Start the day with a continental breakfast and then it is time for goodbyes to the fantastic Galapagos Master, its skilful crew and your new scuba diving friends. Upon disembarkation, there will be a visit to the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal before you will be transferred back to the airport.

[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

Guests dine exceptionally well on board the Galapagos Master liveaboard in the air-conditioned dining area with buffet meals and waitress service. Each day begins with pre-breakfast treats, followed by a cooked breakfast that energises your morning dive. As midday arrives, the buffet is ready with ocean-fresh seafood, meat dishes, vegetable platters and your choice of rice, potatoes or pasta. Afternoon snacks keep you fuelled between adventures. When evening falls, dinner will be presented with seasonal seafood highlights and accompaniments, while complimentary bites are available around the clock to satisfy every craving.

A full diving day starts with an early morning 1st dive at 6:30 am followed by breakfast (eggs, ham, cereals, toast and fresh fruits). The 2nd dive of the morning is at around 9:30 am.
Lunch at 12 pm will include different choices of salads and vegetables followed by a main dish of fresh fish or meat cooked in Chinese, Italian or international cuisine style.
Get ready for the 3rd dive at 1:30 pm and the 4th dive at 4 pm. The excitement of diving in the Galapagos will be the main topic during dinner at 7 pm.
Snacks throughout the day include candy bars, ice cream, cookies, fruit, bread and toast.
Coffee, tea, drinking water and soft drinks, are all provided free of charge.
Beer, spirits and wine are available for purchase on board.
All dietary requirements can be catered for - please send advanced notice.

Cuisine specialties: Ceviche; Carne Asada with chimichurri sauce.

"Crew and guides were terrific, but the rental gear was at BEST, marginally average and not at all tailored to the sizes, preferences and needs that were communicated by Dive The World to the boat. Nearly all passengers were renting all or some gear and NONE of us had anything arranged prior to our arrival. It was chaotic and took the guides 2 trips back to storage to get more gear for sizes and operable gear. I was given 2 BCDs with holes in them and a high pressure hose with a "bubble". The wetsuit and booties I was ultimately stuck with were both too small. All of the gear was heavily used. The first dive was MISSED on day 1 because no one had gear ready, so that really sucked to be penalized a dive because the boat/crew communication was terrible.
The boat was NOT a 5-star luxury vessel as it is reported to be. The cabins are not soundproofed at all or balanced for vibrations, hand soap was available in the cabins. The food however, was terrific and plentiful but none of our preferences or food needs were effectively communicated at all. Overall the trip was overpriced for the quality of gear and moderate austerity of the boat. The dives themselves were terrific and unique in the world." - Amber Riley, United States, 6 January 2025 ...

"I spent a week on the Galapagos Master, and the experience was fantastic. The crew was very helpful and enjoyable. The equipment on the boat was very well kept." - Sadie Redinger, USA, 18 October 2021 ...

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

MORE TRIP DETAILS

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

Dive experience: A minimum of 50 logged dives is recommended with previous experience of strong currents and a dive certification beyond entry level. A diver with less experience will be able to join a trip but may have to sit out some dives if the divemasters consider sites to be beyond the ability of the diver.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, local brands of alcohol, land tours, transfers to the boat from local airport/hotels on days of arrival and departure, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (4-5 divers per DM), Nautilus Lifelines, tanks, weights and weightbelts, sales tax.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (USD 225 per week), dive computer (USD 60 per week), dive insurance, Galapagos entrance fee USD 200 payable in cash at San Cristobal Airport. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers - 7 nights - USD 150, torch (USD 12 per day),15 liter tank (USD 12 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: The Galapagos Master liveaboard departs from San Cristobal. Embarkation is ideally at 1 pm. Airport and local hotel transfers are provided. Guests fly into Ecuador and take a connecting flight, through Guayaquil or Quito, to San Cristobal in the Galapagos islands. Both Guayaquil and Quito have daily flights, although Guayaquil is recommended with cheaper prices and better-timed connections. You will need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito before flying on to the Galapagos. To ensure easy flight connections to the islands, a 2 night stop-over is recommended.
The last dive of the trip will be at around 11 am the day before disembarkation. Check out is at 8:30 am. There will be an opportunity to visit the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal before being transferred to the airport. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. You will probably need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito since most international flights depart too early to make the connection possible. The flight from Galapagos arrives in Guayaquil (and then Quito) in the afternoon.
We will place your domestic flight requirements with the liveaboard operator who are responsible for booking the flights. We request your patience with this process since there are often waiting lists and slow confirmations of availability. You must inform us whether you are flying into Guayaquil or Quito before domestic flights can be considered. If you wish to extend your stay in Galapagos to enjoy land tours please decide that early in the booking process to ensure flight availability.
For more details, including airlines, see our Galapagos travel information section.

Non-diver rate: 10% discount.

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 80% of the published price for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 7 guests and 1 extra person can join the cruise free of charge in the lowest priced cabin (8+ guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 14 guests and 2 extra persons can join free of charge in the lowest priced cabin. With a full charter you may also make use of a Middle deck double bed cabin.

Add-on package: Recognising that the Galapagos is a holistic ecosystem, many divers opt to continue their exploration on land and sea level. Following your Galapagos Master dive cruise, seamlessly transition to a for 3, 4, or 7 nights specialised wildlife safari liveaboard. These tours focus on the archipelago's most significant visitor sites, offering daily guided walks and Zodiac rides with highly knowledgeable naturalists. Onboard presentations and a selection of literature deepen the experience, ensuring you depart with a comprehensive understanding of this natural wonder.

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