8-Day Galapagos Diving Tour: San Cristóbal & Santa Cruz

You can arrive to the Galapagos only by flight from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport on San Cristobal Island. From the airport you will be taken to the hotel to check in to your rooms and leave your bags. After a rest in the hotel – visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre where our guide will explain how the Galapagos Islands were formed, the evolution of species, the migration of the animals, and the human settlements within the Galapagos. 

After visiting the Interpretation Center, we will make our way to “Cerro Tijeretas”, or “Frigate Hill”. Here we can encounter marine animals and also do some snorkelling to see colourful fish species, starfish, sea urchins, or to simply enjoy the crystal clear waters. The afternoon continues with a visit to Playa Carola, where you will have time to enjoy the beautiful beach before returning to the hotel. The guide will leave you at the Dive Center to try on your diving gear and hear some instructions for the first diving the next day. Overnight.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

This diving site in San Cristobal Island is located at approx. 1 hour from San Cristobal by marine transportation (speed boats). These spots are very famous for scuba diving and snorkeling activities. Diving trips include a “check dive” and two immersions in the designated areas (diving sites are fixed daily and depend on availability), the first one in the morning and the second one prior to the return. A box lunch will be served board after the first diving. Diving day-trips will also include a short hike to a nearby beach for relaxing and wildlife viewing. Average hour of return to Puerto Baquerizo is at 16:00 pm.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

At 6:00 a.m. get ready to go to the dock (wake-up at 5:00 AM). We will take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 7:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour estimated travel time). Upon arrival the guide will take us to eat breakfast, after which you will have the morning free to relax. After lunch (not included in the cost of the trip), take a short rest before making our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galapagos, it is from that the Islands get their name.

We will also be able to see the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After this close encounter with the Giant Tortoises, return to the hotel to rest before heading to the Scuba Diving center where you will also try on your diving gear for next days. Overnight.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

After breakfast, meet at Scuba Dive Center at 7:00AM or the hour established the day before. You will hear some last instructions before departing via sea and land to the diving site. After a weight check you will go for the first immersion (20 – 25 m deep). A surface interval for one hour is scheduled to have snack-lunch and enough energy for the second immersion (depth 15 -23 m). Depending on the dive site, you will be able to observe: sea lions, Galapagos sharks, white tip reef shark, hammerhead shark, mobulas, turtles, reef fishes, sting rays, eagle rays, Galapagos eel, barracudas, sea horses, barracudas, sea lions, variety of invertebrates and coral walls. Some wildlife can be observed during surface interval as well. We will have a snack before returning to Puerto Ayora around 16:30pm to get ready for our diving next day.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

After breakfast, meet at Scuba Dive Center at 7:00AM or the hour established the day before. You will hear some last instructions before departing via sea and land to the diving site. After a weight check you will go for the first immersion (20 – 25 m deep). A surface interval for one hour is scheduled to have snack-lunch and enough energy for the second immersion (depth 15 -23 m). Depending on the dive site, you will be able to observe: sea lions, Galapagos sharks, white tip reef shark, hammerhead shark, mobulas, turtles, reef fishes, sting rays, eagle rays, Galapagos eel, barracudas, sea horses, barracudas, sea lions, variety of invertebrates and coral walls. Some wildlife can be observed during surface interval as well. We will have a snack before returning to Puerto Ayora around 16:30pm to get ready for our diving next day.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

After breakfast, meet at the Scuba Dive Center at 7:00AM or the hour established the day before. You will hear some last instructions before departing via sea and land to the diving site. After a weight check you will go for the first immersion (20 – 25 m deep). A surface interval for one hour is scheduled to have snack-lunch and enough energy for the second immersion (depth 15 -23 m). We will have a snack before returning to Puerto Ayora around 16:30pm to the hotel.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

In your last day you can either choose a FREE DAY or ask us to arrange for a guided visit to Charles Darwin Station in the morning and Tortuga Bay in the afternoon or a navigable tour, for an extra cost. 

Option 1: In the Charles Darwin Research Station you will find a large variety of tortoise’s species coming from each island on the archipelago. You can also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. The afternoon hike to Tortuga Bay beach could be the perfect ending to your trip. Abundant wildlife inhabits the place and the view is astounding as it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Galapagos.

Option 2: A full-day navigable tour. The destination can be Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour or Bartolomé Island. The activities will include hiking, snorkeling, swimming and breathtaking sightseeing. After land and sea excursions, we will return back to the hotel in Santa Cruz. 

** Note ** If you choose either Option 1 or 2, please let us know before booking your trip. This way we can arrange and check availability in order to arrange your itinerary in the best way possible.

“Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice”.

After breakfast, the guide will pick you up to guide you to Baltra airport so you can catch your flight back to the mainland to either Quito or Guayaquil.