Galapagos Aggressor III - Galapagos Islands with Wolf & Darwin

Overview

Day 1: Baltra Airport Afternoon Greeting by Crew
Day 2: Galapgos Islands cruising (Santa Cruz Island & Bartolome Islands)
Day 3: Wolf Island
Day 4: Darwin and Wolf Islands
Day 5: Darwin & Wolf Islands
Day 6: Isla Fernandina
Day 7: Santa Cruz Island & Baltra
Day 8: Departure from Baltra

Itinerary

Galapagos is one of the most exciting destinations in the world. Guests will have the opportunity to dive with playful Sea Lions, travel to the famous Darwin and Wolf for thrilling diving to see Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, clouds of Tuna and much more. The scenic view of the Darwin Arch is as picturesque as you can imagine. The Galapagos Aggressor departs from Baltra every Thursday afternoon and are the perfect platform for a Galapagos diving holiday that you will remember for a lifetime.

Our goal is to provide you with the ultimate Galapagos Live Aboard diving experience. The Galapagos Aggressor offers a brand new itinerary in compliance with the Galapagos National Park regulations which requires companies with permits to follow the exact itinerary below. A maximum of four dives will be offered daily; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. In addition, two night dives and two land excursions per week will be offered.

The new diving areas added to the itinerary are: Bartolome Punta, Cousins Rock and Cabo Douglas. The Galapagos National Park grants approval for normal itineraries and accepts requests for special itineraries - click here for map

Day 1 (Thurs): Baltra Airport Afternoon Greeting by Crew
Bus Transfer to the Dock and Boarding. Welcome, and Orientation Dive at North East Coast of Baltra Island.

Day 2 (Fri): Galapgos Islands cruising (Santa Cruz Island & Bartolome Islands)
2 Morning dives; Punta Carrion (Santa Cruz Island) and Bartolome Punta. 1 afternoon dive at Bartolome Punta and hike to Bartolome Summit.

Day 3 (Sat): Wolf Island
5 Dives at Wolf; 2 morning, 2 afternoon and 1 night dive.

Day 4 (Sun) : Darwin and Wolf Islands
January to May: 2 morning dives at Darwin and 2 afternoon dives at Wolf.
June to December: 5 dives at Darwin; 2 morning, 2 afternoon and 1 night dive.

Day 5 (Mon): Darwin & Wolf Islands
January to May: 5 dives at Cabo Marshall; 2 morning dives, 2 afternoon and 1 night dive.
June to December: 2 morning dives at Darwin; and 2 afternoon dives at Wolf.

Day 6 (Tues): Isla Fernandina
2 morning dives at Cabo Douglas and 2 afternoon dives at Punta Vicente Roca.

Day 7 (Wed): Santa Cruz Island & Baltra
1 morning dive at Cousins Rock. Arrive at Itabaca Channel. After lunch guests will disembark at 1 pm to go ashore for a private bus tour to see the beautiful Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. This will include Los Gemelos (The Twins, two enormous sinkholes), Scalesia Forest for a scenic view over Santa Cruz, a Tortoise Reserve to see giant tortoises, and Lava Tubes.

After the hike, guests can walk through town, shop and visit the tortoise-breeding center Fausto Llerena at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Guests will have dinner ashore at a local restaurant of their choice (only meal not included in the cruise). Will depart at 10 pm for Baltra.

Day 8 (Thur): Departure from Baltra
Guests will have a full breakfast then check out and depart to the Baltra Airport

Images

Important information

Package includes;

7 nights accommodations aboard the yacht
Up to 5 dives per day (2 on the last day), night dives when available
Compressed air tanks, weights & belts
Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are complimentary while onboard.
Linens are changed mid-week and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom as needed.
Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with tableside service are served in addition to fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.
Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included.
1 week DAN Europe dive insurance (only apply when purchasing flights from DYKKEbazaar/DIVEplanet or for members of the Norwegian Dive Federation)

Not included:

Airfare (DYKKEbazaar can assist with flights if required)
Insurance
Equipment rentals
Certification or specialty courses
Hotel stays/day rooms
Crew gratuity
Taxes and Fees (see below)
NITROX
Airport and/or Hotel transfers on day of charter

Other important information
Rates: are quoted on a share basis in Deluxe or Master shared cabins; therefore you will be roomed with other persons of the same gender. If you would like a private room, the cost is 65% surcharge and will guarantee you a private stateroom.
Destination good for: June - Nov (Whale Shark sightings are greater) and Dec - May (Larger schools of Hammerhead Sharks, Manta Rays and Eagle Ray)
Best time to dive the Galapagos Islands: The Galapagos Islands have 2: Wet and Dry. They fade into each other so there is no strict dividing line but they can be generally characterized as follows:

The wet season is between January to end of June with sunny periods between heavy rainshowers which can happen anytime. During this time the temperature is generally warmer between 20-25°C. The period between January to April can even see temperatures up to 28°C in some places, if you are lucky. During this period of the year you might get away with using as little as a 3mm wetsuit and gloves (for holding on to rocks). But even during this time certain die sites will have currents that will keep the temperature down so always be prepared for changing conditions. The dry season runs more or less from July until the end of December and see less rain, but it will also bring colder temperatures, both over and below the surface, usually around 19-23°C. This of course bring out the chances of having multiple whale shark encounters and is also the peak tourist season. The colder water temperatures also bring with it choppier seas, especially on the journey across the islands of Darwin and Wolf, might make it a little uncomfortable for divers of a certain disposition. For many the whale shark season is pushed as the best time to visit (june through November), but many suggest the warmer weather and chances of sunny skies during January though May is the best. This period also is the best time to see hammerhead action and manta encounters.

Water Temperature: June - Nov 16-24º and Dec - May 21-30ºC. 5-7 mm wetsuit June - Nov and 3-5mm Dec.
Taxes & Fees: All paid in cash. USD $100 Park fee, $20 Galapagos Visitor's Visa card.
Arrival/Boarding/Departure: Guests will be met by a crew member in uniform at the Baltra Airport and transferred to the yachts. Guests will board Thursday at 1 pm. Diving on your Galapagos Liveaboard cruise begins Thursday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Guests will depart the yachts Wednesday after lunch for a private bus tour to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Checkout is Thursday morning at 8 am after a full breakfast. Transportation is provided back to the Baltra Airport for the flight to the mainland.
Transfers: Upon arrival at Baltra airport you will be transferred to the Galapagos Aggressor. After the cruise you will be transferred back to Baltra airport.
Facts about the Galapagos Aggressor - click here
See dive information - click here

See our destination video from this dive expedition