For an adventure-seeker, Ecuador’s Galapagos – an archipelago of volcanic islands surrounded by the Pacific Ocean – is nothing short of heaven. With abundant wildlife, magnificent endemic fauna, and the vast view of the sea, the island has everything that could make your vacation in nature worthwhile.
Apart from on-land adventures, Galapagos is also famous for liveaboard adventures. If you enjoy exploring the underwater world, Galapagos could be your next liveaboard holiday destination. The island will give you access to remote dive sites where you’ll be able to enjoy marine life without getting interrupted by cruise ships crammed with tourists.
In this article, we’ll share a detailed insight into Galapagos liveaboard vacations and how you can plan your trip to these remote islands in Ecuador.
What are Liveaboard Vacations?
If you are not a seasoned diver or haven’t been on too many dives, you may not be familiar with liveaboards. A liveaboard holiday is simply a vacation where you get to spend a week or more on a boat surrounded by like-minded divers.
The main objective of a liveaboard vacation is to live off-shore ( or “aboard”) for a while and make as many dives as possible. Unlike traditional scuba-diving trips, liveaboards allow you to explore remote diving locations that many people may not have access to. This way you can explore the untouched marine life and gain more experience as a scuba diver.
Today, liveaboard holidays are available in almost every corner of the world, starting from Thailand and Malaysia to Australia and the Red Sea. Each liveaboard destination offers a different experience and choosing the right one mainly depends on your personal taste.
What Separates Galapagos Liveaboards from Other Destinations?
There are several reasons why Galapagos liveaboards are on every diver’s bucket list. First of all, it’s the many mesmerizing marine creatures that you will see big predator sharks like schools of hammerheads, Galapagos sharks and tiger sharks, also huge pods of dolphins, big schools of fish, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, oceanic manta rays, and even whale sharks.
Furthermore, the boats aren’t jam-packed with too many divers. In general, the liveaboard operators don’t take more than 16 individuals on a single trip. This means liveaboards in Galapagos will allow you to spend quality time in solitude and enjoy the vastness of the blue of the Pacific with zero chaos. The Galapagos dive sites are some of the most untouched in the world.
All of the cruises also allow guests to participate in a land visit or to see some of the islands’ famous endemic land creatures, such as Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and Darwin’s finches. You’ll wonder about the evolution of life on Earth whilst enjoying the peacefulness of the region and enjoying it all with other scuba divers from different countries around the world.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Galapagos for a Liveaboard Vacation?
It’s worth noting that Galapagos liveaboards are available throughout the year. So, whenever you get time, you can visit the islands to go on one of the best experiences of your life. However, if you want to make your experience more memorable, you can choose between the dry and the wet seasons.
The former lasts from July-December and is often a preferred choice for divers who don’t mind cooler temperatures. During this period, the water is relatively cool and the temperature stays below 23-degree celsius. And, if you’re lucky, you may encounter shark whales on almost every dive during the dry season.
The wet season, on the other hand, stretches from January to June. This is the time when the ocean water is warm and the sights of manta rays are frequent. Basically, if your body doesn’t do too well with the cold, the wet season is the right time to book your Galapagos liveaboards adventure.
How Much Does Galapagos Liveaboards Cost?
The Galapagos liveaboards are quite expensive, especially when compared to other destinations such as the Red Sea or the Maldives. In general, you’ll have to pay anywhere between $500-$1,000 per night to go on a liveaboard holiday in the Galapagos Islands. However, the good news is that the experience is completely worth the price; it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
Unlike widely commercial liveaboard destinations, the Galapagos Islands aren’t filled with tourists and the quality of services is better. You get to go on liveaboard adventures in smaller groups and get all the essential amenities on the boat as well.
Conclusion
In the last few years, liveaboards have evolved as one of the most popular adventure activities for scuba diving enthusiasts. Away from the crowded beaches and diving locations, liveaboards allow you to explore the hidden gems that aren’t accessible to regular tourists. And, what’s more exciting than going on a liveaboard holiday in a place like the Galapagos Islands? So, fire up your laptop and book the best Galapagos liveaboards vacation so that you can enjoy one of the best dive destinations in the world.
