Aqua

Boat

Aqua is a motor yacht with expert diving instructors/naturalist guides will accompany you on your journey to discovering the unique Galapagos Islands. It was originally built back in 1998 and it was completely renovated during 2010 - 2012, 2015, and again in 2019. It It measuring 26 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width, cruises at 9 knots per hour. It is the ideal boat for divers and adventure lovers of all ages!

Aqua has cozy social areas that will complement a comfortable and adventurous stay with indoor dining area, bar and conference area with TV, DVD, chart games, library of books and DVDs, shaded outside lounge.

On the upper deck, there are 2 relaxation area : at the front and back of the boat. The front sundeck is completely open, equipped with chaise longues. And at the back of upper deck, the is an outdoor shaded lounge with cushioned benches, tables and drinking water supply.

Aqua diving platform offers space for all guests’ dive equipment, camera table, cleaning tanks with fresh water, and space for drying suits. It has 50 Aluminium scuba tanks, 2 compressor and 2 zodiacs with Yamaha engines for diving. Additionally, there is a bath on the platform and two showers with warm water.

Cabin

Aqua has 9 guest cabins, it can accommodate up to 16 guests per trip:

All cabins have ensuite bathroom, A/C, closets, reading lamps, smoke alarm and alarm system, electricity outlets, amenities and towels.

4 Deluxe Cabins (#5 - #8) :
Located on the upper deck, size 10m2, each cabin comes with two single bunk beds, seaview windows.

1 Deluxe Cabins (#9) :
Located on the upper deck, size 10m2, this cabin comes with one double bed, seaview windows.

1 Deluxe Cabins (#4) :
Located on the main deck, size 10m2, this cabin comes with one double bed, seaview windows.

3 Standard Cabins (#1 - 3) :
Located on the lower deck, size 10m2, each cabin comes with one double bed and one single bed in bunk style, portholes.

Diving

• 3 dives per day + alternating additional sunset/night dives.
• Usually 8D/7N diving trip will offer 18 - 20 dives in total.
• 1 Check dive will be provided on the embarkation day.
• Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
• All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
• Divers must have AOW level with at least 50 logged dives.
• Personal marine rescue GPS will be provided to divers for free.
• Diving beacon and surface marker tube will be provided to divers.

Other information

• Nitrox：Available with an additional cost
• 15L Tanks：Limited available with an additional cost
• Technical Dive Available: Not available at the moment
• REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
• Dive Equipment Rental：Available with an additional cost
• Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
• Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment
• Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
• Massage Service：Not available at the moment
• Payment on board：By cash (USD) or credit cards.
• Crew Number：8, include 2 dive guides

Diving Itinerary 8D/7N

Day 1 (Check dive) :
AM - Baltra Airport : Upon arrival, you will have to pay your Galapagos National Park entrance fee and your luggage will be inspected to make sure no foreign substances are introduced

PM - Baltra Northeast : Your first stop will be in Baltra North East, where you will disembark close to the yacht in order to try on your diving suit. Make sure you get comfortable; you’ll be using this equipment during your entire diving journey!

Day 2 (3 dives) :
AM - Cape Marshall : This area on the northeast side of Isabela island offers a few great dive spots.. One of them is Ciudad de las Mantas, named for how common it is to see giant mantas. The plankton-rich waters of this area are an attraction for many species of rays, sharks, sea lions, turtles, etc.

PM - City of the Mantas : The main attraction of Cape Marshall is a spot where it is so frequent to see giant mantas that it was named “City of the Mantas”. They come to feed on the plankton-rich waters, which is why visibility can be low.

Day 3 - Day 5 (11 dives) :
Due to the large number of dive sites available in Darwin and Wolf as well as the marked influence that marine conditions can have on the area, the dive sites will be chosen with these factors in mind. On Friday, conditions may be suitable for night diving in one of the two available locations.

Day 6 (2 dives) :
AM - Vicente Roca Point : The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and even seahorses!

PM - Cape Douglas : Cape Douglas is sure to provide you amazing opportunities to observe a large amount of wildlife, above and under the water! Keep an eye out for Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, red-lipped batfish, baleen whales, and more!

Day 7 (2 dives) :
AM - Cousin’s Rock : This triangular volcanic rock formation with blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, and Galapagos fur seals is the summit of a great underwater cone. Beautiful shelved reef terraces offer colorful algae, mollusks, sponges, sea fans, and endemic black coral surrounded by a variety of colourful fish as well as a cleaning station of white-spotted eagle rays.

PM - Highlands (Santa Cruz) : The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora, and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone.

Day 8 :
Transfer to Baltra Airport. Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra, where we will take the airport shuttle. Your guide will accompany you to the check-in counters in the departure hall.

Layering is the best plan for diving in the Galapagos. 7 mm wetsuit with a lightweight hood, booties, and gloves is a good option or a dry suit with a full 5 mm hood will keep most divers warm and toasty.