Liveaboards, Explorer Ventures Fleet – Humboldt Explorer Galapagos

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Humboldt Explorer

Explorer Ventures, Galapagos

 

Boat Information

Diving the Galapagos Islands on board the Humboldt Explorer will allow you to experience an unknown world of beauty, wonder and marine life. You will see sea lions, turtles, hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks, dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays, Galapagos sharks, and huge schools of eagle and golden rays.

The 16-passenger Humboldt Explorer provides 8 air-conditioned rooms located on the main and lower decks; each has a private bathroom, flat screen television and ocean view.

All rooms except rooms 3 & 4 (forward below deck) can be converted to either one queen bed or two twin beds.

The yacht features partially covered sun deck with a jacuzzi and ample seating, a salon area with dining, a bar and an entertainment area.

Diving conditions

Water temps in summer average 65˚F-70˚F in winter

The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 65-75˚F from December through May and 60-70˚F June through November. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 75˚F or higher in the rainy season (December-May) to the mid-60s during the dry season (June-November), with nearly constant sea breezes. Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites the liveaboard visits, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7 mm wetsuit June through November with a hooded vest and gloves and a minimum 5 mm wetsuit December through May. Gloves and hood are strongly recommended.

Dive Deck

The dive deck is equipped with individual gear bins, large camera table, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate freshwater rinse tank for underwater camera equipment. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck. The Humboldt Explorer is also equipped with a satellite telephone for emergency calls worldwide. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.

 

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Sample Itinerary (8 Days/7 Nights Monday to Monday)

Days aboard the Humboldt Explorer generally involve a 6:30am dive followed by breakfast, a dive at 10:30am, lunch at 12:00pm, and afternoon dives at 2:00 pm and 4:30pm (on days with long transits between islands, the number of dives will be reduced to 2-3 dives – see itinerary). Dinner is served at approximately 7:00 pm. Under current National Parks guidelines, night dives and land visits are strictly regulated.

At this time, each week in the itinerary includes the same islands.

The order of the islands, however, is dictated by the National Parks Foundation.

The Humboldt Explorer must follow the schedule of islands and land tours as noted below.

Monday to Monday – 8 days / 7 nights
Monday:

  • San Cristobal Airport
  • PM: Isla Lobos (1 Check Out Dive)

Tuesday:

  • AM: Punta Carrion (2 Dives)
  • PM: North Seymour

Wednesday:

  • Wolf Island (4 Dives)

Thursday:

  • Wolf Island (2 Dives)
  • Transit to Darwin Island (2 Dives)

Friday:

  • Darwin Island (4 Dives)
  • Transit to Wolf Island

Saturday:

  • Wolf Island (3 Dives)
  • Long Transit to Cousin´s Rock

Sunday:

  • Cousin’s Rock (1-2 Dives)
  • PM: Santa Cruz: Highlands

Monday:

  • San Cristobal: Interpretation Centre
  • San Cristobal Airport

*Note: Above Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice depending on local regulation, weather and logistics at the Captain’s discretion.

Your dives will be done from the pangas with an easy backward roll into the water. After you dive, your tank will be lifted back into the panga, and you will board via its stern ladders.

Minimum Age Restrictions

Under the age of 15 must dive with parent/guardian

The minimum certifiable age for divers is 10 for most scuba certification agencies; normally, the agencies restrict 10- and 11-year-olds to a maximum depth of 40 feet. Humboldt Explorer therefore allows children as young as 10 years to participate in their trips, with the following restrictions:

  1. All children under the age of 15 must travel and dive with their parent or guardian, unless undergoing active training with an instructor. For this reason, a minimum age of 15 for divers is strongly suggested.
  2. This itinerary offers no diving opportunities at depths less than 40 feet; diving opportunities for 10- and 11-year-olds are not available on this itinerary.
  3. A parent/legal guardian will be required to sign the liability release on behalf of a child under the age of 18.

Safety Standards

Dive insurance is required.

To ensure your safety, the Humboldt Explorer requires the following of all divers:

  1. All divers must be certified as open water scuba divers by an internationally recognized certification organization.
  2. All divers must be experienced divers (it is recommended that you have more than 100 logged dives) and have logged at least one dive within the 6 months prior to boarding the vessel. Dives are very often at an advanced level. Currents can be very strong and often divers are required to swim against them.
  3. All dives are guided by an instructor/naturalist guide.
  4. All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff.
  5. All divers must have a submersible console. In addition, a timepiece must be worn by at least one diver in a buddy system. Dive computers are strongly recommended.
  6. Decompression and solo diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 130 feet.
  7. Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.
  8. All divers must carry a DiveAlert, a surface signaling device, and an electronic beacon while diving (all available on board).
  9. Please note that, due to a combination of staff and equipment logistics, insurance requirements and local diving regulations, neither rebreathers nor diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) may not be used aboard.
  10. Please note that flash photography is not permitted while taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the Galapagos National Park Directorate.

Most guests bring their own complete set of dive gear. This is the ideal situation, however, due to weight limits or additional travel plans some guests choose to rent gear. The liveaboard strongly recommends that you bring your own mask, gloves, booties, fins, hood or hooded vest and computer. A personal wetsuit is also a good idea if you have space. Diving in Galapagos can be challenging, and it is important that you are comfortable.

Dive Insurance

Dive insurance is REQUIRED!

Due to the nature of this trip and the very remote nature of the destination, all divers are required to have dive accident insurance when diving from the Humboldt Explorer, and to note the policy number on their application form.

Buying the appropriate travel and/or dive insurance before your holiday starts will make your vacation less stressful and more enjoyable. Here are some suggested considerations.

Getting to the vessel

The vessel arrives at its final destination port on Monday morning. The Sunday evening meal is on island and not included in the price of the trip. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. The departure tax from Quito and Guayaquil is now included in international flight prices.

Please note: Flight times, prices and the Galapagos airport of arrival are all subject to change with little or no notification, and flights often run late. They strongly encourage their guests to plan on arriving at least one and preferably two days prior to your flight to the Galapagos Islands, to ensure that your luggage is with you or to make up for any travel delays. They also recommend that guests plan on an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil upon departing Ecuador. The earliest time a guest can reliably expect to connect to another flight is 10 pm on the last Monday of the trip. Ticket holders are required to check in a minimum of 3 hours prior to flight time for all international departures, even when connecting from an Aerogal or Tame flight. If you are booking your own domestic flights, the Humboldt Explorer departs from San Cristobal (SCY), not Baltra (GPS). Passengers flying into Baltra must arrange their own transportation to San Cristobal.

Meals

Aboard the Humboldt Explorer, lunch and evening meals usually consist of salad, potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, pork and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, pancakes, toast and fresh fruit. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form. Please note that specific brands of soft drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and that it can be very difficult for the crew to find low-fat or soy products, fresh fruit, fish, and other items common elsewhere. While they will do their best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk or seriously compromise your enjoyment of your holiday. Please list on the application form any dietary needs you have.

Onboard Charges

Major credit cards are accepted on board.

Though all meals, most beverages, transportation between islands, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your onboard bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), scuba instruction, rentals, nitrox, premium alcoholic beverages, and crew gratuities. The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using cash, Visa or MasterCard.

American Express, traveler’s checks and personal checks are not accepted on board, and they are unable to advance cash on credit card charges. Gratuities and onboard charges are best paid in cash. This avoids any additional Ecuadorian taxes and service fees. Credit cards are subject to the 12% VAT plus 5% in bank fees. Bills will be settled onboard on Sunday morning. ATM machines are available in Quito, Guayaquil, Puerto Ayora and San Cristobal

Communications

Internet access is not available aboard.

Outgoing calls may be made from the Humboldt Explorer via satellite phone. Please be aware that a charge is assessed for both incoming and outgoing calls.

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