Description
Boat
Tiburon Explorer was built in 2020. It is a professional dive liveaboard yacht runs by Explorer Ventures Fleet, it is 38 meters long, 7.5 meters wide, with max. cruising speed at 12 knots per hour. It will be an outstanding dive liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands!
Tiburon Explorer features partially covered sun deck with a large lounge area, bar, a partially covered sun deck and a jacuzzi with ample seating.
There is a beautiful lounge with separated dining area and entertainment area on the main deck, equipped with TV, stereo, Book/Magazine/CD/DVD/Table games library for entertainment as well as a self-service bar.
Aboard the Tuburon Explorer, lunch and evening meals usually consist of lots of salad, potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, cereal, toast and fresh fruits. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please let our Dive and Cruise agent know, so we will put a note for you.
Tiburon Explorer 's large dive deck is also located on the back of the main deck, includes a bathroom, large camera table with charging station, individual storage areas, rinse bins for cameras and another for gear. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck
Cabin
Tiburon Explorer has 9 deluxe guest cabins, it can only accommodate up to 16 guests per trip according to the National Park Policy:
All cabins have have private bathroom, individual A/C, flat screen televisions, ample storage, dressers, closet, reading lamps, smoke alarm and alarm system, electricity outlets.
6 Deluxe Cabins (#1- #6) :
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, and can be converted to queen bed, seaview windows.
3 Deluxe Suites (#7 - #9) :
Located on the lower deck, largest cabin type onboard, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, and can be converted to queen bed, port windows
Diving
3 dives per day + alternating additional sunset/night dives.
Usually 8D/7N diving trip will offer 18 - 20 dives in total.
1 Check dive will be provided on the embarkation day.
Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
No dive will be provided on the day of disembarkation.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Divers must have AOW level with at least 50 logged dives.
Other information
- Nitrox：Available with additional cost
- 15L Tanks：Limited available with additional cost
- Technical Dive Available: Not available at the moment
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional cost
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Available with additional cost
- Laundry Service： Available with additional cost
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：By cash (USD) or credit cards.
- Crew Number：11, include 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Galapagos Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Baltra
Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning. The dive guides will meet the guests at the airport between 11:00 am and 12 pm and escort them to the Galapagos liveaboard, Tiburon Explorer. Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, organize equipment and listen to the safety briefings.
Day 2: Balta North (2 Dives)
Equipment check, 7:00 and 10:00 dives. Sightings include rays and schools of fish.
Afternoon North Seymour land visit. Walk the path around North Seymour Island to see the large colonies of Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds. Sighting of Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas are also common. Then depart for Western Islands. (long transit).
Day 3: Wolf Island (4 Dives)
6:30, 10:30. 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Possible night dive. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale shark (in season), eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.
Day 4: Darwin Island (4 Dives)
6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season) eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Transit to Wolf Island
Day 5: Wolf Island (3 - 4 Dives)
6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Transit to Cabo Douglas (12 hours).
Day 6: Cabo Douglas (1 - 2 Dives)
Sightings include marine iguanas. Transit to Punta Vicente Roca, then make 1 - 2 dives at Punta Vicente Roca, Sightings often include mola mola, turtles and macro life. Transit to Cousins Rock (10 hours)
Day 7: Cousin’s Rock (2 Dives)
6:30 and 9:30 dives. This is a great macro diving with an excellent chance of seeing sea horses, sea lions and eagle rays. Lunch will be served while transiting to Santa Cruz (3 hours). Afternoon travel by bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands to visit the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Transfer to the town of Puerto Ayora. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Return to the Tiburon Explorer at 8:30pm.
Day 8: Baltra Island
Depart the vessel by 9 am. Transfer to the airport.
About Arrival :
Transfers within the Galapagos are included in your package for same day arrivals on the island of departure for the vessel. You will be met at the airport in Galapagos by one of our tour guides.
Your flight must arrive in Baltra (GPS) no later than 12:00 pm. We recommend arriving by 11:30 am to ensure you can go to the boat on time.
The vessel will leave port at approximately 2:00pm. Retrieving lost luggage after the vessel departs on charter is impossible. It can be retrieved when the vessel returns to port at the end of the charter.
About Departure :
The vessel return back to port on Friday evening (the day before disembarkation), the last dinner of the cruise is on the island and is not included in the price of the trip. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport.
More
| Destinations | Galapagos |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Nitrox support, Camera Station, Nautilus GPS, Jacuzzi, Wi-Fi, Laundry |
| Languages spoken | English, Spanish |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- VAT and local taxes
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Alcoholic beverage
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Naturalist guide
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Dinner ashore the night before disembarkation
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Nitrox fills
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Wi-Fi
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Galapagos
Best time for diving
There is no "wrong time" for Galapagos! There are two seasons in the Galapagos : The Manta season (Wet season, warmer water) - December to April/May, the Whale shark season (Dry season, cooler water) - June to November. Any time is a good time, as you'll see more species in Galapagos on a bad day than you see in most dive sites around the world on the very best day. However, Dive and Cruise team do recommend to visit Galapagos between mid June and November, as the chances of seeing whale sharks are definitely higher and the schools of hammerheads usually tend to be bigger in this period.
The average visibility is around 10 - 30 meters. Currents can be very strong at times, and the surface conditions can be choppy.
About temperatures
Air : Wet season (Dec - May) is between 23°C - 30°C, Dry season (Jun - Nov) between 21°C - 27°C. Evening temperatures can drop to just 15°C.
Sea : Wet season (Dec - May) is between 18°C - 26°C - with the western part of Galapagos being the coolest at 17°C -19°C. Dry season (Jun - Nov) between 17°C - 25°C - with the western part of Galapagos being the coolest at 15°C -18°C. Wolf and Darwin are usually between 24°C - 25°C all year.
Wetsuit Recommendation
Thermoclines are to be expected throughout the year and divers are advised to bring suitable thermal protection for all expected temperatures. We recommend 5mm - 7mm wetsuit with additional layers (shorty / skin-suit /vest / hood) for cooler waters and gloves for warmth and support in strong currents.
Diver requirement
Diving in Galapagos can be challenging even for experienced divers. Strong currents and tough conditions are not rare. Therefore, all liveaboards require divers to have at least AOW certification with minimum 50 logged dive. In addition, we strongly suggest divers to get some experience in strong currents and reduced visibility! You can find out more informations about diving in the Galapagos Islands here : Galapagos
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Depends on the liveaboard you pick, the embarkation and disembarkation is either San Cristobal (SCY) or Baltra (GPS) in the Galápagos islands.
Guests need to take their international flights to Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), in mainland Ecuador at least one day before the embarkation.
Flights to the Galápagos Islands originate in Quito, making a quick stop at Guayaquil, then carrying on to the islands and do the reverse on the way back.
One the day of embarkation, please at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil one and a half hours (90 minutes) prior to departure for check-in. A Transit Control Card (also referred to as TCT card) is required for travel from mainland Ecuador to the Galápagos Islands. The cards are obtainable from the INGALA booths at Quito and Guayaquil Airports before checking in for your flight to the Galapagos, and cost 20 USD.
Upon arrival in Galápagos, passengers form a line to process passenger Passports and Park entrance fees in cash. Then you will meet the pickup crew outside of the airport door with a sign.
Visa Requirements
There is no visa requirement for most foreign visitors who carry passports with at least six months’ validity from their entry date. Please contact your nearest Ecuadorian embassy / consulate for the latest requirements.
Vaccinations
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for anyone arriving from regions where the disease is prevalent, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda (including airport transit).
Insurance Requirements
In addition to the mandatory Dive insurance, a Travel health insurance is a mandatory requirement for entry into Ecuador. All foreign tourists are required to have travel health insurance which covers the entire duration of their intended stay in the country. Traveller who are unable to provide proof of insurance may be denied entry.
Ban on plastic
Since 2018, single use, non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastics have been banned in Galapagos. Before travelling, please ensure that plastic packaging is removed from any items you are bringing with you.
Money Matters
The local currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar (USD). Larger hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants will normally accept Visa and Mastercard for which a charge of 4 – 10% may be levied.
Drones
Tourists are NOT permitted to fly camera drones anywhere in the Galapagos Islands. Please refer to Drone Laws in the Galapagos Islands for more details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
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