The Galapagos Sky Yacht

Luxury Galapagos Vacations: The Galapagos Sky Yacht

Galapagos Sky is a 100ft (33m), 16-passenger luxury liveaboard yacht custom designed and built for the best scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands. Guests will discover the wonders of the Galapagos Archipelago on dry land and witness the beauty beneath the waves – with up to four dives per day during a spectacular private vacation to the Galapagos.

The Experience: The Best Diving in the Galapagos Islands

Spanning 7-days, this high-octane vacation to the Galapagos Islands takes guests across the Archipelago in search of the best diving spots in South America. The itinerary includes three days at the remote northern islands of Wolf and Darwin, which have now been scientifically recognized as having the highest abundance of sharks in the world. As well as diving with endemic Marine Iguanas at Cabo Douglas, Mola Mola at Punta Vicente Roca, and many other fascinating species; Green Sea Turtles, Whale Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Sea Lions, and Manta Rays.

Accompanied by an experienced crew, including two expert naturalist guides and Dive Masters, you’ll be exposed to their world-leading knowledge of the region. Small diving groups mean that your luxury Galapagos vacation will be highly personal and private, allowing you to soak up the experience at your own pace.

It’s important to note that diving in the Galapagos is advanced due to strong currents, varying visibility, cold water, and depths that can be 20-30 meters or 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.

Recommended requirements include 50-100 open water dives, experience in currents, removing gear in the water, and getting into small boats in choppy seas. Nitrox certification before the cruise is highly recommended. Recent dive experience is required. PADI and DAN both recommend a refresher course for divers who have been out of the water for 6 months or longer.

The Cabins and Lounge: A Luxury Galapagos Diving Cruise

There are 8 spacious bedrooms aboard this luxury Galapagos cruise. Four master staterooms on the upstairs deck, featuring large windows with ocean views, and four deluxe staterooms on the lower deck, featuring portholes looking out onto the ocean. All staterooms include a private bathroom with luxury amenities including a bathrobe and slippers, and cabins are cleaned twice daily with a nightly turn-down service provided.

The communal lounge area is the ideal place for dive briefing and relaxing. You’ll find an Apple TV preloaded with films and Galapagos information, as well as a well-stocked bar and a library containing plenty of reading material to accompany the best diving in the Galapagos.

The Food: Authentic Ecuadorian Dishes

All meals and snacks while aboard Galápagos Sky are included in your luxury Galapagos cruise rate. Gourmet-style menus using locally sourced ingredients from providers who act sustainably are creatively prepared by our culinary school-trained chefs.

Depending on the dive schedule, either a full breakfast will be served first thing in the morning, or a light continental breakfast followed by a dive and then a full breakfast. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, whilst dinner is finely plated – the order for which, will be taken in the morning. Snacks, including chips, crackers, and cookies, are provided throughout the day.

Wine, beer, liquor, spirits, coffee, tea, water, juice, and sodas are included in your luxury Galapagos cruise rate. Galápagos Sky does have a full bar, including premium wines and liquors available for purchase. Filtered water is available to fill reusable water bottles, and guests are encouraged to bring their favorite reusable bottles to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

The Itinerary: A 7-day Luxury Galapagos Diving Cruise

Below is an example Galapagos Sky Yacht itinerary – although Aracari can tailor the departure days depending on individual clients’ needs.

Sunday:

• Embark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
• Check Out Dive on Isla Lobos

Monday: 

• 1 Dive y Bartolomé
• Land Tour in Bartolomé
• 2 Dives in Cousins Rock

Tuesday:

• 4 Dives in Wolf

Wednesday:

• 4 dives in Darwin

Thursday

• 2 Dives in Darwin
• 1 Dive Wolf

Friday

• Marine Iguana Dive in Cabo Douglas
• 2 Dives in Punta Vicente Roca

Saturday

• 1 Dive in Pinzón
• Land Tour in Galapagos Tortoise Reserve
• Optional Disembark

Sunday

• Land Tour on Interpretation Center in San Cristobal
• Disembark on Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal

Itineraries