The Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles west of Ecuador and offer some of the most spectacular wildlife found anywhere in the world. Nowhere else on this planet will you find penguins which live on the equator (The Galapagos Penguin) or iguanas which swim and feed in the ocean (The Marine Iguanas)! Because these islands have only recently been invaded by man, the literally 1000s of animals that inhabit these islands have never learned to fear us. This means that you can literally walk right up to hundreds of blue-footed boobie birds, red-footed boobie birds, masked boobie birds, albatrosses, penguins, land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, fur seals, red-chested frigate birds, flamingos, finches, tropic birds, lava gulls, giant tortoises, and flightless cormorants.
The MV Sky Dancer cruises the Galapagos Islands in search of sea lions, penguins, schooling hammerhead sharks, turtles, stingrays, whale sharks and the magnificent mantas. Included in planned itineraries are visits to the very remote islands of Wolf and Darwin. The luxuriously constructed Sky Dancer features all the Dancer Fleet amenities you have come to expect including Nitrox fills, private en-suite facilities, spacious lounge areas, fine dining and more.
8D Trip Cost
Prices are per person and in twin-share cabins
- US$4,290 Master Stateroom on Lido Deck
- US$4,090 Twin Staterooms on Dolphin Deck
Trip Cost Includes
- Airport transfers in San Cristobal
- 7 nights on board the MV Sky Dancer
- All meals and beverages (including national brands of alcohol)
- 5 and ½ days of diving (depending upon itinerary) up to four dives per day
- Land excursions on some days
- Galapagos National Park Fee (US$110)
- Chamber Fee (US$ 35)
- US$160 fuel surcharge
Trip Cost Excludes
- All airfare & airport taxes between Guayaquil or Quito and San Cristobal
- All pre and post-trip hotel stays in Guayaqui or Quito
- Gear rental
- Nitrox fills
- Satellite phone calls and emails – available at nominal cost
- Gratuities for crew
MV Sky Dancer Diving Galapagos Schedule
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The MV Sky Dancer cruises the Galapagos Islands in search of sea lions, penguins, schooling hammerhead sharks, turtles, stingrays, whale sharks and the magnificent mantas. Included in planned itineraries are visits to the very remote islands of Wolf and Darwin. The luxuriously constructed Sky Dancer features all the Dancer Fleet amenities you have come to expect including Nitrox fills, private en-suite facilities, spacious lounge areas, fine dining and more.
The Ecuadorian corporation that owns Sky Dancer, Ecoventura, is one of the first recipients of the SmartVoyager seal of approval for their entire operation in Galapagos. “We have always tried to be responsible” says Ecoventura President, Santiago Dunn, “but this process brings in the best science and the best ideas from many different groups, showing us ways to improve our operation.” Click Here to learn more about the SmartVoyager certification.
The Galapagos Islands is one of the most requested dive destinations of our Dancer Fleet guests for many years. We are elated about our partnership with a strong, ecologically minded company such as Ecoventura which understands the expectations of our guests and maintains the highest possible quality of service.
MV Sky Dancer Diving Galapagos Schedule
Typical 8D7N Itinerary
Sunday
Morning Cristobal (Departure)
• Interpretation Center where interesting human history of Galapagos can be seen, walk about town (last shopping) and departure for Lobos.
Afternoon Lobos
• On arrival check out dive.
• Nice protected area at 20 feet depth. Sea Lions, short dive in a sandy bottom.
Monday
Morning North Seymour
• 2 dives, good opportunity to see white-tip sharks.
• Open area, moderate current and visibility.
Afternoon Bartolome
• Snorkeling with penguins and at sunset climbing to the top of the hill to enjoy the spectacular landscapes and views. (This place is possible to change for 2009).
Tuesday
Morning Wolf
• After 120 nautical miles night motoring arrival around 9 o’clock to offer 2 dives in the morning; if we find strong currents there may be a delayed arrival to 11 o’clock and we offer 1 instead 2 dives.
• In the landslide dive site: mostly schools of hammerheads, silkies, Galapagos sharks, Rays. Moderate to strong current and good vis.
Afternoon Wolf
• 2 dives in the afternoon, may explore different dive site like pinnacle.
Night Dive Wolf
• Protected area, going 80’ to find red lipped bat fish.
• Mostly very interesting night life with shrimps, lobsters.
Wednesday
Morning Darwin
• Early arrival, 2 dives in the morning, there is only one dive site Darwin’s arch, when its good is good. Descend according to the current and spent around 30 mins in a 60’ platform enjoying the fish and animals activities. After the half hour, and due the current, leave the rocks and drift with the current for around 10 mins before the safety stop.
• During the drift time find schools of silkies, during the season, the whale sharks, dolphins and others.
• Good visibility.
Afternoon Darwin
• 2 more dives in the afternoon the same divesite.
Thursday
Morning Darwin
• Final 2 dives around the arch then head back to Wolf.
Afternoon Wolf
• Arrive in Wolf at 3 o’clock, still enough time to offer 2 dives in the landslide dive site.
• There is no rules to confirm that the morning dives are better than the afternoon dives; oftentimes divers come back totally happy after the fourth dive at 6 pm.
Friday
Morning Marshall
• Sailing all the night we have a early arrival at Marshall offering great dives.
• Mantas and different schools of endemic fishes are the main norm here.
• 2 dives around the same area and then the Sky Dancer heads to the east to arrive 4 pm to Pto. Egas in James Island.
Afternoon Pto. Egas
• This is the other place where we offer a land excursion and could be deleted from the itinerary for 2009. We find fur seals, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk here.
• 2 and a half hours land walk, the guests come back on board and wait for the night dive.
Night Dive Pto. Egas
• Not a spectacular place because it is a sandy bottom but you can find more than one red lipped bat fish in 35 feet deep water, sometimes six or seven at the same time.
Saturday
Morning Gordon’s Rock
• 2 dives in one of the most popular places in the central islands: hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, rays and others.
• 66-70ºF during the whale shark season, and over the 70ºF from Dec to May .
• Frequently good visibility.
Afternoon Pto. Ayora
• Charles Darwin Station visit, takes around two hours. After free time for shopping and visit the town.
• Final dinner either in town or on board at the regular time.