Quick Facts

Destinations: Galapagos Western Archipelago, Darwin And Wolf Islands

Dates: 11th Aug - 20th Aug 2026

Type of trip: Private liveaboard charter
Duration: 9 nights (7 nights on the liveaboard)
Fly in/out:  Quito, Ecuador

EARLY BIRD PRICE ONLY AVAILABLE TILL 31ST MAY - THESE WILL SELL QUICK!

Dive into the wonders of Galápagos Islands on Shark Guardians biggest expedition yet!

Join us for 8 days and 7 nights scuba diving on board one of the newest liveaboards to cruise the archipelago, including the world renowned Darwin and Wolf Islands, and contribute directly to marine citizen science projects and research.

Embark on an exhilarating journey into the vibrant waters of the Galapagos Islands on now of the newest liveaboards to cruise the world-famous archipelago.  

Dive alongside majestic sharks, playful sea lions, graceful manta rays, ancient turtles, charming penguins, and even marine iguanas—all in a single, breathtaking location that pulses with life.  

The boat offers a range of cabin options to suit every traveler's needs:

• Main Deck Cabins: Two twin cabins provide stunning panoramic views, along with a versatile cabin that can be arranged as either a matrimonial or twin setup.
• Lower Deck Cabin: Two twin cabin on the lower deck provides a cozy option for families, friends, or couples.
• Upper Deck Cabins: Four twin cabins offer convertible double beds, making them ideal for couples or friends. These cabins feature large windows that flood the room with natural light, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean.

All cabins are adorned with endemic, local-style decor and feature functional closets, lower beds, air conditioning with personal climate control, reading lights, and charging ports.  

We welcome solo travellers!! If you are travelling solo, you will be placed within the cabin of your choice with a same-sex participant.

Dining and Relaxation: The vessel’s dining room, with expansive ocean-view windows, provides a delightful culinary journey through local and international gastronomy. The lounge area, decorated with art inspired by the astonishing Galapagos wildlife, invites guests to relax.  Between dives, unwind aboard a luxurious liveaboard featuring a charming lounge and restaurant, offering delightful meals to replenish your energy. Relax in the comfortable lounge area, equipped with a TV, DVD player, and a small library.  After a day of adventure, chill out on the shaded deck,  or in the jacuzzi, taking in the magnificent oceanic vistas and reflecting on the day's discoveries.

Retire to your cozy cabin, thoughtfully furnished with a selection of the finest ecological hospitality products, ensuring an eco-conscious stay that prioritises your comfort and sustainability.

To join this trip, divers must have an Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum of 75-100 dives at  the time of booking.  This is not a trip suitable for new divers and some experience drift diving in  cooler waters will be beneficial. 

The Galapagos Islands have two distinct seasons. The high season, from July to November, coincides with the Humboldt current's maximum strength, bringing nutrient-rich upwellings from the depths. This season offers the best chance to dive with whale sharks at Darwin and Wolf.

During these months, water temperatures are cooler, visibility is lower, currents are stronger, and seas can be rougher at times. However, popular species such as scalloped hammerheads and large schools of fish are abundant.

Cold-Water Diving: The Galapagos is considered a cold-water destination. Regular temperatures at Darwin and Wolf range from 21-24°C (70-78°F) but can be warmer in the early months of the year. Thermoclines in the Western Islands, including Punta Vicente Roca and Cabo Douglas, can dip as low as 13°C (54°F), keeping these regions cooler year-round.

By signing up to the trip you agree to our Shark Guardian Expedition cancellation policy.

Quito, Ecuador 

Today is the day you arrive at the accommodation in Quito. Our hotel will be located within a short drive from the airport to ensure a quick and smooth journey to the airport the following morning.

The hotel is approximately 40 minutes from the city centre.  If you arrive early enough, why not book a taxi and have a Quick Look at what the capital city of Ecuador has to offer?  You could always go and visit the equator line whilst you are here!

Quito - Galapagos

We will gather as a group at our hotel, early in the morning, ready for our transfers to Quito Airport. Here we will meet some of liveaboard operator team, who will guide us through the process of checking in, purchasing our Transit control card and having our bags thoroughly checked. 

When we land on Baltra, Galapagos, in the early afternoon we will be greeted by the dive team who will take us to our home for the next week!

We will have a tour around the boat, which will include some health and safety briefings, and guidelines on how to visit the Galápagos Islands responsibly, ensuring the preservation of the delicate ecosystem we are about to experience, all followed by a delicious lunch!

In the afternoon we will do our check dive and then in the evening we will have dinner and relax for the night.

Over the course of the next 6 days, we will explore some of the most biodiverse dive sites in the world, including spending 3 full days exploring Wolf and Darwin Islands, two of the planets most iconic dive sites!

On the evenings, there will be a variety of shark conservation talks, citizen science workshops, a movie night and a quiz night!

Day 3 – Carrion Point and en route to Wolf Island

As the sun rises on our first day of diving aboard, we can feel the excitement building for what's in store at our first dive site, Punta Carrion. We gather our gear, and with the guidance of our expert dive master instructors, we dive into the crystal-clear waters surrounding the stunning Santa Cruz Island.

Descending deeper into the underwater world of Punta Carrion, we'll be immediately mesmerized by the incredible visibility and the abundance of marine life that surrounds us—schools of hammerhead and whale sharks, this last one available between June to December. At the same time, playful sea lions dart in and out of the rocky underwater cliffs.

We learn more about the vivid and colorful world of tropical fish as we continue our exploration, including groups of surgeonfish, angelfish, and parrotfish. Luckily, we can even find a few secretive seahorses hidden in the reef's crevices.

Later, we joyfully discuss our underwater excursions. At the same time, the onboard cook makes a lovely lunch when we return to the vessel. Finally, in the late afternoon, we'll begin our 14 hours of navigation through the Galapagos Sea to Wolf Island.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Immersions AM: 2

Day 4 – Shark Bay, La Banana, La Ventana Islet, and El Derrumbe

Today, we'll have an exciting diving adventure as we discover the hidden riches of this enchanted location.

Our first stop is the breathtaking Shark Bay, where we can spot the majestic Galapagos shark, eagle ray, and sea lion that will meet you as you plunge into the ocean's depths. These magnificent creatures are a sight to behold, with exquisite movements that will take your breath away.

Following a thrilling morning dive, we'll travel to La Banana to continue our journey and discover the Galapagos Islands' abundant marine life. In addition, we'll be able to see playful sea lions in their native environment, darting and whirling about us with elegant, engaging, and mesmerizing beauty.

As the day unfolds, we'll make our way to La Ventana Islet and El Derrumbe, two diving locations known for their diverse marine life. Go into the fascinating world of colorful fish, turtles, and sea stars as they welcome you into their natural home. The beauty and magic of the undersea environment will wow you as you explore these hidden jewels.

As we wrap up our diving day, take a minute to enjoy the beautiful sunset while reflecting on the incredible experiences of the day. The Galapagos Islands are indeed a treasure trove of natural beauty, and we are privileged to accompany you on this magnificent voyage. Therefore, be ready to immerse yourself in a world of wonder and go on a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Immersions AM: 2
• Immersions PM: 2

Day 5 – El Arenal and The Darwin's Arch 

Today, we'll take you to El Arenal. This magnificent location will leave you spellbound by the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands. A diving site considered one of the best diving points in the world. This site is close to Darwin's Arch and offers moderate to strong currents with depths ranging from 46 to 121 ft and visibility from 40 to 80 ft. As you dive deeper into the sea, you'll be greeted by the impressive Galapagos underwater biodiversity. 

We'll then move on to Darwin's Tower, commonly known as Darwin's Arch, one of the most iconic dive sites in the world. This awe-inspiring location is a must-visit for any avid diver. We're thrilled to share this incredible experience with you. As you dive into the deep blue waters, a world of vibrant coral, schools of colorful fish, and the majestic beauty of the hammerhead shark will be waiting for you with their imposing presence and graceful movements.

The thrill of diving at Darwin's Tower is indescribable, and you'll be amazed by the sheer beauty of this underwater wonderland.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Immersions AM: 2
• Immersions PM: 2

Day 6 – El Arenal, El Derrumbe, and Shark Bay

Our first dive site of the day is El Arenal. As we explore the vibrant coral reefs and discover the diverse marine life, we'll have the chance to encounter an incredible array of species. Some of them could be dolphins commonly sighted feeding on schools of fish, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, Galapagos sharks, and even tiger sharks and killer whales. But the beauty of El Arenal isn't just in its impressive marine life; the geological formations are also a sight to behold.

After an exhilarating morning dive, we'll move on to El Derrumbe, where we'll discover the fascinating marine diversity of the Galapagos Islands. This site offers a unique diving experience with its underwater cliffs and caves. You'll encounter many species, including green turtles, sea lions, and eagle rays. But what makes this site truly special is the presence of bull sharks, one of the few places in the world where you can dive with them in shallow waters.

Our last dive of the day takes us to Shark Bay, where we'll explore the hidden treasures of the Galapagos Islands. This site is famous for its incredible diversity of marine life, including the Galapagos shark, eagle ray, and sea lion. But what makes this site truly unique is the presence of whale sharks that visit the Galapagos Islands every year from July to November. It's a rare opportunity to witness these gentle giants, and we're honored to share this experience with you.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 
• Difficulty: Moderate to Advance
• Immersions AM: 2
• Immersions PM: 2
  

Day 7 – Marshall Cape 

Marshall Cape is an iconic location in the Galapagos Islands, especially known for its majestic volcanic walls that plunge into the ocean's depths. This underwater landscape becomes a sanctuary for large schools of fish and graceful manta rays that dance in the waters. Popular among divers, Cabo Marshall, as it is known in Spanish, offers a unique diving experience, thanks to the currents and the rich biodiversity these waters house.

Diving: Its volcanic walls provide shelter to various marine species. It's not uncommon to encounter schools of hammerhead sharks, barracudas, and, of course, the elegant manta rays that call this spot home.

Highlights: Underwater volcanic walls, manta rays, schools of fish, and hammerhead sharks.

City of the Mantas: It's one of the hidden gems of the Galapagos Islands, a site that, as its name suggests, is famous for its encounters with manta rays. This destination offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a deep blue world, where giant manta rays, along with other marine residents, glide gracefully and majestically. The area, besides being a sanctuary for these creatures, is a biodiversity spectacle, with colorful corals and tropical fish complementing the scene.

Diving: Provides an even more intimate experience with marine life, where the sensation of floating among manta rays becomes a tangible reality.

Highlights: Manta rays, rich coral reefs with diverse marine fauna.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Immersions AM: 1
• Immersions PM: 1
  

Day 8 – Cousin Rock and Santa Cruz Highlands

This morning we'll have the opportunity to do our last dive at Cousin Rock—one of the most colorful dive sites in the archipelago. The vibrant coral walls and gorgonians create a stunning backdrop for encounters with seahorses, reef fish, and various nudibranchs. Keep an eye out for the curious coral hawks as they dart around the reef. As we dive deeper, we might glimpse a school of eagle rays gracefully gliding by or spot a white-tip shark resting in a crevice. If we're lucky, we might even see mobulas and schools of barracudas. Finally, the playful sea lions will appear and invite us to join their underwater games.

After lunch, we disembark and head for a reserve in the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, we have the unique opportunity to witness the iconic Galapagos Tortoise in its natural habitat. Walking through the lush vegetation, we might even spot some of the other residents of the highlands, like the elusive Galapagos Rail or the bright Vermilion Flycatcher.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Immersions AM: 2 
• Immersions PM: None
  

 Baltra Airport - A Farewell 

After a week of unforgettable experiences, it is time to bid farewell to this enchanting land. As you'll be transferred to Baltra Airport, take the memories of a lifetime and the magic of the Galapagos Islands.

Your flight back to Quito and this evenings hotel is included in the trip price. 

There is then the option to join the group at one final evening meal which will signal the end of the trip, before we head back to our hotel room for a good rest.