The Galaxy Diver is a first-class eco-cruise that offers snorkeling, hiking, diving, kayaking, and panga rides. It offers two eight-day itineraries, one centered on diving, the other being nature-focused.
Galaxy Diver accommodates up to 16 guests, 14 for diving trips, across eight cabins. There are king, twin, and triple-size cabins, all of which include a private bathroom with hot and cold water, air conditioning, a hair dryer, a towel dryer, an internal phone, a safe box, a closet, and a speaker. There is a lounge with a coffee station, panoramic windows, and an entertainment center with thematic books, board games, and a multimedia library on the main deck. The bar is located next to the lounge and serves national and international drinks. The main deck is also home to the dining room, where guests are served three daily meals. The upper deck has an alfresco-style seating area with a sunroof and bar service. There are lounge chairs, an observation area, a sunroof, cocktail tables, and a bar on the sun deck.
The ship includes safety features such as two survival rafts for 20 passengers each, one survival raft for eight passengers, 55 life jackets, six lifebuoys, a flare gun, hand lights, smoke signals, and fire protection and prevention equipment. Rates include airport assistance, Galapagos transfers, accommodation, meals, visits, excursions, snorkel gear (mask, tube, wetsuit, and fins), kayaks, paddleboards, and unlimited drinks(water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks), and beach towels. Local flights to and from the Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Galapagos Transit card, alcoholic beverages, tips, local taxes, and travel insurance are not included.
The eight-day diving-based itinerary explores Baltra, Wolf Island, Darwin Island, Fernandina, Isabela, Bartolome, and Santa Cruz. This trip visits dive sites only accessible by liveaboard, such as the Landslide site near Wolf Island. This remote spot is a sanctuary for marine life and hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, rays, turtles, and more are often spotted here. One of the more advanced dive sites is La Banana, with walls, caverns, tunnels, and a pinnacle. The current tends to be moderate to heavy here with limited visibility but is known for its whale sharks, hammerheads, and dolphins. Douglas Cape is a morning dive where divers observe marine iguanas feeding on algae. While this trip is primarily centered on diving, there are also opportunities to hike to the top of Bartolome Island, snorkel the Vicente Roca Point, and go on a panga ride through La Ventana Islet.
The naturalist itinerary, which also lasts eight days, visits Santa Cruz, Santiago Islands, Rabida, Fernandina, Isabela, Floreana, and Seymour. This trip is primarily hiking through destinations like Bachas Beach, where flamingos and herons are spotted near the lagoons, and Sullivan Bay, where there is preserved lava. There are also snorkeling opportunities along beaches, panga rides, and kayaking.
Narrative text and photographs courtesy of Galagents.