3 Glorious Ships That Will Complete Your Galapagos Getaway

The Galaxy Diver 

If you love boating and scuba diving you’ll be pleased to discover you get the best of both worlds on the Galaxy Diver. This 30-meter long, 12-passenger cruise ship is outfitted with an 8-person crew and 2 dive masters ready to guide you along your scuba diving journey. Upon stepping foot on this sleek ship, you’ll be greeted by beautiful, modern interior designs that create an atmosphere of luxury. Cool off in the interior lounge with a refreshing beverage of choice and scenic views from the expansive windows. The outdoor lounge, located on the upper deck of the ship, is just as inviting. Relax on the comfy sofas underneath the covering (or step out into the sun to work on your tan) and take in the views of the natural paradise. Need to take a nap or plan to cruise the ship overnight? The cozy cabins are complete with private bathrooms, air conditioning, all the modern amenities, and ultra soft beds that will have you believing you're sleeping on a cloud.

We haven't even gotten to the good part yet: all the diving. The Galaxy Driver can take you through diving sites across the region, including Douglas Cape, Wolf Island, Vicente Roca Point, and Cousins Rock. The best time to spot rare, exotic marine life is from December to June, so try to plan your diving adventure within those months. Diving in the Galapagos during the wet season also means you’ll experience calmer waters and clear visibility. First time diving? Have a fear of sharks? Put your mind at ease knowing you can download the Shark Scan App on your phone to monitor any underwater life in the Marine Reserve. 

The Alya

If diving is less of a priority for you and you’d prefer an authentic luxury experience, the Alya is the ship for you. The exquisite design of the ship matches the ambiance of the Enchanted Islands. This 9-cabin ship can fit up to 16 passengers and comes with nine crew members and one guide ready to create an unforgettable experience for you. The Alya is built with a living room, sundeck, al fresco area, dining room, and bar. The ship also comes with the MYDAS app to ensure you get all the comforts of home, including blockbuster movies to watch when you curl up in your private cabin bed at the end of the day. On the Alya, you can choose to simply enjoy the ship for what it is (an unbeatable luxury experience) or add on some adrenaline-inducing water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or taking a ride on a panga, an inflated zodiac that gives you an even closer upfront look at exotic marine life. 

And last, but certainly not least, is the Bonita yacht, the ideal option for adventurers looking for a Galapagos sailing experience at an affordable rate. Onboard, you’ll find ample indoor and outdoor spaces designed to fit up to 16 passengers. Eight crew members and one guide will be there to greet you with a delicious cocktail as you step foot on the main deck. Cool off in the air-conditioned living room and drink in the views of the surrounding waters and islands through the panoramic windows. When you get hungry, you can make your way to the dining room where three square meals and plenty of snacks are served each day (the menu also includes options for vegans and vegetarians). Aside from touring waters filled with some of the rarest aquatic creatures in the world, one of the best ways to experience the Galapagos is by watching the sunset from the yacht’s deck. After a long day of sailing the seas and jumping in the water to snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, make your way to your private cabin for the best sleep of your life. 

Ready to start planning your Galapagos getaway? Eager to put a boating excursion on your travel itinerary or find the best scuba diving adventures around the island? Contact the team at Liquid Diving Adventures today!

Conservationists have welcomed the announcement by Ecuador that it will expand the marine reserve around the Galapagos islands by 60,000 sq km.

President Guillermo Lasso announced the move at the COP 26 climate summit in Glasgow. Mr. Lasso told the BBC that his government wanted to show that action rather than words was the most effective way to fight climate change. Conservationists called it "a brilliant first step". The existing marine protected area around the Galapagos measures 133,000 sq km and was one of the first large-scale marine conservation areas to be created. It is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Conservationists hope that its expansion will protect the migration routes of endangered species such as the whale shark and make the reserve more resilient to climate change.

Among those praising the move is Sarah Darwin, the great-great-granddaughter of biologist Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution was inspired by the biodiversity he found on the Galapagos. Sarah, a botanist and an ambassador for the Galapagos Conservation Trust, told the BBC that she was "very, very excited that President Lasso is taking the Galapagos so seriously".

"We're really looking forward to taking further conservation measures forward with him both in the marine reserve and the islands themselves," she said. "This is a real commitment, I think." But the CEO of the Galapagos Conservation Trust, Sharon Johnson, said it was important that the resources be put in place to adequately protect the newly enlarged reserve. In 2020, a huge number of Chinese fishing boats were spotted in waters off the Galapagos with conservationists accusing the fleet of "pillaging" the area for squid.

President Lasso denied that the expansion of the marine reserve was a response to the Chinese fleet's movements, insisting it was "an autonomous decision of the Ecuadorean government". Mr. Lasso said that in his most recent conversation with the Chinese president he sensed "a clear commitment to respect Ecuador's maritime" and that he, therefore, hoped there would be no repeat of the scenes which had played out in 2020. He added that his government would swap debt for conservation to create a fund that would allow Ecuador to beef up navy patrols to protect the area and to provide artisanal fishermen working outside the marine reserve with support. 

The Galapagos and the seas surrounding them are a unique ecosystem home to whales, turtles, and tuna, explain Prof Sandy Tudhope and Dr. Meriwether Wilson from the University of Edinburgh. The fact that they are so rich in commercially important species is also what makes them so attractive to fishermen, say the two scientists, who were part of the team whose research underpinned the decision to expand the reserve.

Check out our Galapagos Liveaboards -->  Ecuador Liveaboards

Our thanks to Vanessa Buschschluter - BBC News for this article. Full article HERE.