Liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

Liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

Book a liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands from a selection of the Galapagos' top liveaboards, and experience the fabled scuba diving of the islands for yourself. Liveaboards include luxurious vessels and more affordable options, with amenities including nitrox, camera facilities and hot tubs, and offering year round departures and itineraries that include dives at Wolf Island and Darwin Island.

Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, ZuBlu’s expert travel team can help you select and book the ideal liveaboard trip in the Galapagos Islands.

Choosing the right liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands

As the majority of liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands offer similar itineraries, your choice of liveaboard should depend on considerations such as your budget, range of onboard amenities and whether you would prefer a more luxurious holiday experience or not. The total number of guests and dive guides onboard is also worth taking into account. If you need some help choosing, get in touch with one of ZuBlu's experienced travel team who will happily recommend the ideal liveaboard.

Liveaboard itineraries in the Galapagos

Diving liveaboard itineraries in the Galapagos Islands are normally 7 nights, though some liveaboards offer longer trips of 10 nights or more. The focus of these itineraries is the diving at the remote Wolf and Darwin islands, which lie roughly 18 hours sailing to the north of the central islands of the Galapagos. Dive sites at these islands - including the famous Darwin’s Arch - are where divers have the best chance of encounters with big schools of hammerhead sharks and whale sharks that have made dive trips in the Galapagos Islands so sought after. Longer trips spend more time at Wolf and Darwin Islands, and as well as explore some of the less visited sites in the central islands. As Wolf and Darwin lie so far from the main islands, there are no dive liveaboard itineraries shorter than 7 nights.


Liveaboards depart from either Baltra or San Cristobal and in addition to the northern islands, include stops at central and southern islands like Española and Isabela, offering a chance to experience more of the Galapagos’ unique ecosystems. Land excursions are also scheduled, allowing divers to explore volcanic landscapes, encounter endemic species like the giant tortoise, and observe blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas in their natural habitats.

Liveaboards seasons in the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos islands can be dived year round, and liveaboards operate throughout the year, however there are two distinct seasons with different climates, water temperatures, and marine life highlights.


The wet season runs from January to May and offers warmer seas, more manta ray encounters and larger schools of hammerheads. The dry season from June to December is famous for whale sharks, although the seas are colder and schools of hammerheads tend to be smaller at this time of year. Learn more about the diving in the Galapagos Islands, including additional information about seasonal changes that may influence your decision when to travel to the islands.

Dive experience requirements in the Galapagos Islands

Liveaboard diving in the Galapagos is world class, but demanding. Divers are normally required to hold an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent and have at least 50 logged dives - some liveaboards or itineraries require more. We recommend guests have prior experience in cooler water (15-26C) with a 7mm wetsuit, are able to enter from a tender in surge, and can handle strong currents. Liveaboards in the Galapagos typically offer 3-4 dives a day, so nitrox certification is also very useful. SMBs and other similar dive gear can be brought from home, or rented onboard your liveaboard.

Recommended liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

All of ZuBlu’s partner liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands have been chosen to ensure guests have an exceptional dive holiday experience in this exciting, yet challenging dive destination. All offer high standards of service and safety, comprehensive facilities and exciting itineraries. However, several have been consistently reviewed highly by ZuBlu’s guests - our top-rated liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands. ZuBlu’s travel team can help you book your trip onboard one of these liveaboards.

Luxury liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

Several liveaboards operating in the Galapagos Islands that offer luxurious accommodation, exceptional service and gourmet dining, as well as the incredible diving expected of the islands. These liveaboards normally have fewer cabins meaning a more intimate experience. Contact one of ZuBlu’s expert travel team if you are looking for a luxurious dive experience in the Galapagos Islands.

Affordable liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

Liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands are expensive, but there are more affordable options that offer a slightly cheaper way to dive the Galapagos Islands. Cabins on these liveaboards may be smaller and the common areas less luxurious, but the itineraries and safety standards will be the same as onboard more expensive liveaboards. Speak to our travel team if you’d like to book a more affordable liveaboard trip in the Galapagos Islands.

Naturalist liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

Non-diving naturalist liveaboard itineraries are very popular in the Galapagos Islands, as they offer guests the opportunity to explore the unique landscapes and wildlife that have made the islands so famous. As well as land excursions, these trips also provide more opportunities for snorkelers to get in the water, making them ideal if you are not yet certified to dive. ZuBlu’s travel team can recommend and book your ideal naturalist tour in the Galapagos Islands.

Group bookings on liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands

If you are planning a group dive trip to the Galapagos islands, ZuBlu’s travel team can help you find the ideal liveaboard, as well as secure the best possible price. Our guest concierge can also assist you with arranging other details, including transfers, equipment rental and cabin arrangements. Get in touch if you planning a group liveaboard trip to the Galapagos, with details of your group size and when you are considering traveling to the islands.

Liveaboards for non-divers and snorkelers in the Galapagos

While non-divers are welcomed on dive liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands, liveaboards are not allowed to offer both snorkeling and diving activities on the same trip - they must focus on one, or the other. There are a few sites where non-divers can go out with the divers on the tender and potentially snorkel, and there are normally several land excursions planned when guests can snorkel, but we recommend booking either a dedicated diving itinerary, or a naturalist, non-diving itinerary.

Booking your liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands

ZuBlu’s dive travel team can help you choose the ideal liveaboard trip in the Galapagos Islands. Let them know your preferences - time of year, number of people, a rough cost - and they’ll narrow down your choices and make suitable recommendations. You can also read customer reviews, check itineraries, facilities and cabins, and compare different liveaboards.


We’re experts at creating tailor-made packages and itineraries for your trip, but we also offer a best price guarantee, straightforward booking terms, and secure payments - meaning you can book your scuba diving holiday with ease.


Once you have chosen your liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands and are ready to book, your travel expert will confirm availability and put a complimentary hold on your preferred cabin. They will then send a final quote that will include accommodation, meals, diving, transfers and any extras such as rental equipment and port fees. This quote will show any extras paid in advance or onboard - there are no hidden fees - as well as a payment schedule and cancellation terms and conditions.


Your booking is then completed once you have paid the deposit required by the liveaboard, or made the full payment if necessary.


After the booking is confirmed, your guest concierge will take over and assist with flight routes, transfers, collecting any personal information required by the liveaboard, and answering any questions you may have about your reservation. They are there to make the entire process as straightforward as possible.

Getting to your liveaboard in the Galapagos Islands

Ecuador has two international airports, Quito and Guayaquil. Most international flights arrive in the evening, so an overnight hotel stay is recommended if not required for all guests. All flights travelling to the Galapagos Islands from Quito also stop at Guayaquil - the wait is typically around 20 minutes and you will not deplane. Most liveaboard operators recommend staying in Guayaquil as the transfer to the airport is shorter.


The majority of liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands depart from Baltra or San Cristobal and there are up to three flights offered every day from the mainland airports to the islands. If you are staying elsewhere in the archipelago, inter-island flights operate between San Cristobal, Baltra and Isabela. Otherwise, you can use a speedboat or ferry to reach your destination.

Departures from San Cristobal

  • Galapagos Sky
  • Galapagos Master
  • Calipso


Departures from Baltra

  • Galapagos Aggressor III
  • Tiburon Explorer
  • Humboldt Explorer
  • Aqua
  • Galaxy Diver II


Departures from Puerto Ayora (fly into Baltra)

  • Nortada


From June 2025, the Transit Control Card can no longer be paid for when you check in for you domestic flight. These must be applied for and purchased online in advance, and cost US$ 20, and on arrival in the islands, the National Park Fee is charged. The park fee has now risen to US$ 200 for non-Ecuadorian visitors, US$ 100 for children under 12.


ZuBlu’s travel team can advise you on what is or isn’t included and the cost, and will add the transfers to your quote. Once the booking is confirmed, your guest concierge will assist with planning any flights and transfers.


Please note, If you decide to book the domestic flights yourself, liveaboard operators will charge a ‘non-issuance’ fee. We actually recommend guests book their tickets through the liveaboard operator as they can choose the most suitable flight, as well as help manage any problems with delays or lost luggage.

Galapagos Island National Park fees

Visitors are required to pay the following:

  • Transit control card - US$ 20
  • National park fee - US$ 200, US$ 100 for children under 12.

Combining your liveaboard trip with other activities

If you would like to explore the Galapagos islands on land before or after your liveaboard trip, or travel in mainland Ecuador, we can help you arrange an itinerary. Let your dive travel expert know about any plans when you book your liveaboard.


Ready to book your Galapagos liveaboard trip?

Send an enquiry to the travel team today

ZuBlu Team Photo 2024

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