Included
Cabin accommodation on board; all meals, snacks and beverages, including open bar policy featuring beers, wines and spirits; one 80 cu ft/12 liter tank, weights and weight belt; up to 4 dives per day on 5.5 days; 3 guided shore excursions; service of Dive Guides; transfers in the islands; personalized check-in at airports in Quito and Guayaquil (on regular flights only); WiFi.
Exclusions
Nitrox ($100 in 2024 and 2025); international airfare; hotel accommodation in Ecuador; airfare from mainland Ecuador; Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US $200 cash per adult and $100 for children under 12 years old); INGALA Transit Card or TCT (US $20 per person); gratuities to guides and crew; purchases from bar of premium brands not included in the open bar; items of a personal nature; travel insurance (strongly recommended), dive insurance (required) and insurance of any kind; hyperbaric chamber fee ($35); rental gear.
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $1,000 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancelation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days – 50% of deposit
89 to 60 days – 100% of deposit
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
Most flights to the Galapagos will depart Quito or Guayaquil between 6:00am and 11:00am on Day 1 and return between 2:00pm and 6:00pm on the final day. We highly recommend travelers arrive to Ecuador two days prior to their Galapagos cruise. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page. Note: Your passport must be valid 6 months after your Ecuador trip concludes.
Internal Flights
Flights from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to the Galapagos are not included in the cruise price, but are arranged for you by AdventureSmith Explorations through your ship. Your Adventure Specialist will book these flights for you on the scheduled Galapagos flight for your particular departure. Airfares vary by departure; your Adventure Specialist will detail these for you in their proposal and on your invoice. On flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands, baggage weight limits are currently 50 pounds for checked items, and 17 pounds for carry-on plus a small personal item. Subject to change.
Activities
There are numerous opportunities to dive during the 8-day Galapagos Sky Liveaboard Dive Cruise (plan for 3-4 dives per day for 5.5 days, or approximately 17-19 total advanced dives). For the 3 land-based visits, trip members will walk or hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation.
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 65%(Deluxe Cabin), 85%(Master Cabin, standard season of Nov-Jun) or 100%(Master Cabin, high season of Jul-Oct) supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. In addition to listed single cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available at the standard per-person rate for travelers willing to share with the same gender. Shares that remain unmatched prior to departure are subject to pay the single rate. However, note that Master cabins cannot be booked as a share if Deluxe space is available, in high season or if the Master cabin is the only cabin remaining for a departure.
Families & Children
As the dive itinerary does not offer dives under 40ft, divers must be at least 15 years old with proper training and experience. There is do child discount for dive departures.
Travel Insurance
Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Galapagos Sky does also require diving accident insurance such as coverage provided by Divers Alert Network (DAN).
We strongly recommend that you travel to Galapagos Province with travel insurance that contains medical coverage. Be certain to bring your insurance plan ID documents with you when you travel.
Itinerary Notes
Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. Due to the active nature of volcanoes in the Western Galapagos, alternate excursions may be offered. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.
Dive Requirements & Conditions
Please note that diving in the Galápagos is advanced due to strong currents, varying visibility and cold water. Temperatures range from low 60’s to upper 70’s in different areas of the itinerary and seasons. Depths can be 65-100 feet. Divers must be comfortable in these conditions, as well as have very good buoyancy and be able to do negative (sometimes rapid) back-roll entries/descents from small boats. Requirements include 50-100 open water dives, experience in currents, ability to remove gear in water and ability to get into small boats in choppy seas. Nitrox certification prior to the cruise is highly recommended. Recent dive experience required. PADI and DAN both recommend a refresher course for divers who have been out of the water for 6 months or longer. Contact AdventureSmith for additional details and pre-requisites for participating in a Galapagos Sky Liveaboard Dive Cruise.
