SIAMDIVE
Galapagos Master 1Galapagos Master 2Galapagos Master 3Galapagos Master 4Galapagos Master 5Galapagos Master 6Galapagos Master 7Galapagos Master 8Galapagos Master 9Galapagos Master 10

Galapagos Master

Ecuador · Liveaboard★ 4.5

from USD 6,069 / person

Plan this trip with AI →
Type
Liveaboard
Built / renovated
2001 / 2015
Length × width
32 m × 8 m
Cabins
9
Capacity
16 guests
Nitrox
YES ($)
Wi-Fi
YES ($)
Rental gear
YES ($)

Highlights

  • The Galapagos Master, a steel-hulled yacht committed to eco-friendliness, provides divers with unparalleled access to the world's most breathtaking pelagic diving experiences.
  • Explore dive sites that bear historical significance, chronicled in Charles Darwin's scientific explorations that commenced at Darwin Island and Wolf Island back in 1835. Every itinerary thoughtfully combines the highlights of both these iconic locations.
  • The Galapagos Master, an eco-friendly steel-hulled yacht, offers access to unparalleled pelagic diving experiences.
  • Explore historic dive sites, including Darwin Island and Wolf Island, both famously studied by Charles Darwin in 1835.
  • Enjoy dedicated camera areas with charging ports and storage, as well as outdoor relaxation spaces and a panoramic bridge.
  • Land excursions to North Seymour, Santa Cruz, and Isla Isabela complement encounters with marine wonders like hammerheads, sea turtles, morays, and penguins.

About Galapagos Master

The Galapagos Master is a premier liveaboard experience that takes divers on an unforgettable journey through the stunning waters of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. With itineraries that include both 7-night and 10-night adventures, guests can dive into the rich marine life that these waters are famous for, including hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays, and dolphins. Each day typically offers up to four dives, with the option for a night dive in sheltered coves, ensuring ample opportunities to explore the underwater wonders.

Onboard, the Galapagos Master is designed for comfort and eco-friendliness. With a capacity of 16 guests, this steel-hulled yacht features dedicated camera areas, outdoor relaxation spaces, and a panoramic bridge for taking in the breathtaking views. Guests will enjoy full board meals, snacks, and a range of beverages, including herbal teas and fresh coffee. Land excursions to North Seymour, Santa Cruz, and Isla Isabela further enhance the diving experience, allowing divers to encounter unique wildlife both underwater and on land.

Routes & departures

Master the Galapagos10 nights · 26 dives · 88 Departures
  1. 1
    Day 1

    Info about the diving Diving in the Galapagos can be challenging, even for the experienced diver. At many sites currents can be strong and visibility may diminish due to currents and an influx of nutrients. We highly recommend our guests have training beyond beginner level and a minimum experience of 50 dives, preferably in similar conditions. If our dive crew feel that you do not have the relevant skills or experience to dive the more challenging sites safely then they may stipulate that you sit out some dives. Water temperature ranges from 21-30°C (70-86°F) between December and May when manta rays are more commonly sighted. However it drops to an average of 16-24°C (60-75°F) between June and November when the Humboldt Current comes up from the south, bringing with it plankton; making this the best time for seeing whale sharks. Thermoclines can also be expected and divers are advised to bring suitable thermal protection. The itinerary may change wihtout notice. Day 1: Airport arrival, transfer to Galapagos Master and lunch, followed by an afternoon check out dive. Carried out in a sheltered bay in an excellent shallow spot, at a max depth of 9m (30ft), this will allow you to check your dive gear but also become acquainted with some of the local marine life.

  2. 2
    Day 2

    Sample itinerary: Day 2: ● Full breakfast and dive briefings ● Dives 1 and 2 ● Lunch ● Afternoon land tour of North Seymour Island ● Dinner

  3. 3
    Day 3

    Days 3-9 ● Full breakfast and dive briefings ● Dives 1 and 2 ● Lunch, relaxation and dive briefings ● Dives 3 and, where possible, dive 4 ● Dinner

  4. 4
    Day 4
  5. 5
    Day 5
  6. 6
    Day 6
  7. 7
    Day 7
  8. 8
    Day 8
  9. 9
    Day 9
  10. 10
    Day 10

    Full breakfast and dive briefings ● Dives 1 and 2 ● Lunch ● Afternoon land tour of Santa Cruz Highlands and Puerto Ayora Town ● Dinner

  11. 11
    Day 11

    Unfortunately our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!

Good to know

You must bring a certificate of health insurance to be allowed entry into Ecuador: it is your responsibility to ensure you are carrying this   Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to return home from your trip It is your responsibility to review and meet the vaccination requirements and visa/immigration requirements for the countries you're visiting Dive accident insurance (to include medical evacuation) is mandatory for everyone who dives: it's your responsibility to have adequate cover in place and to bring your certificate as proof All diving passengers must provide their dive certification card and their logbook: you will be unable to dive unless you can prove you meet the boat's minimum certification level Dive computers are mandatory: please bring your own or arrange with us in advance to rent one Please remember it is your responsibility to ensure you are fit to dive: some liveaboards require you to produce a medical certificate, often dated under two years or under a year, proving you can dive safely Itinerary and number of dives are indicative and subject to weather conditions and may change in advance, and during, your trip - safety will always come first. Itinerary changes do not give you the right to cancel your trip Taxes, levies, or surcharges, if applicable, are indicated in the Online Booking System during the checkout process for informational purposes. Supplements, government taxes, marine park fees, fuel surcharges, harbour fees, rental equipment and other upgrades or surcharges are subject to change at any time pre-booking or post-booking. These changes can be driven by local conditions, extreme weather, changes to government policy, operator decisions, oil prices, or other factors. Changes are outside PADI Travel's control and travelers are responsible to pay any increases. A change in these fees or surcharges does not grant travelers the right to cancel a reservation or dispute the surcharges. We recommend you buy travel and trip cancellation insurance (to include storm coverage where appropriate) Ensure you bring suitable electrical adaptors for the country or countries you are visiting In case of a rescheduled booking or a rebooking to a new dive operator, any payments made for the original booking are non-refundable. Beyond that the cancellation terms apply. Travelers are responsible to be aware of covid travel guidelines, local rules, and procedures for the country they are travelling to and to maintain up to date knowledge of any changes regarding entry requirements or local guidelines. Changes with regard to entry requirements to a country are outside of the control of PADI Travel. As such, customers do not have the right to cancel or seek reimbursement if unable to travel due to any updates to a country's entry requirement, airline flights, or other similar situations. PADI Travel Packages do not include travel insurance. PADI Travel strongly recommends that travelers purchase travel insurance. The Service Provider has the right to operate outside of the standard terms and conditions set out in the booking for rescheduled trips. Standard cancellation policies will not apply to rescheduled trips. The Service Provider reserves the right to make any amendments to booked packages prior to trip dates or during trip dates due to, but not limited to, covid related issues or changing restrictions. 'Fleet Repeater' discount is available on this boat and the rest of the fleet. It must be requested at the time of booking and you should let us know if you have travelled on this fleet previously in order to redeem your discount. The discount is only applicable for full price trips and cannot be redeemed on any discounted sailings. The discount is only applicable on fleet accommodation and cannot be applied to any additional segments of travel including hotel bookings, flights and extensions. The discount cannot be applied to Marine Park or Port Fees, taxes or fuel surcharges.

Getting there

Diving the Galapagos with Galapagos Master, The most spectacular pelagic diving on the planet! The Galapagos is one of those rare places where you can dive through hundreds of hammerhead sharks to find a whale shark cruising along.  Arrival: The Galapagos Master liveaboard departs from San Cristobal. Guests fly into Ecuador and take a connecting flight, through Guayaquil or Quito, to San Cristobal in the Galapagos islands. Both Guayaquil and Quito have daily flights, although Guayaquil is recommended with cheaper prices and better-timed connections.  You will need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito before flying on to the Galapagos. To ensure easy flight connections to the islands, a 2 night stop-over is recommended. Departure: On the return leg you will probably need to overnight in Guayaquil or Quito since most international flights depart too early to make the connection possible. The flight from Galapagos arrives in Guayaquil (and then Quito) in the afternoon.  We will place your domestic flight requirements with the liveaboard operator who are responsible for booking the flights. We request your patience with this process since there are often waiting lists and slow confirmations of availability. You must inform us whether you are flying into Guayaquil or Quito before domestic flights can be considered. If you wish to extend your stay in Galapagos to enjoy land tours please decide that early in the booking process to ensure flight availability.

Departures · 88

DatenightsfromSpots
Oct 19, 2026 – Oct 26, 20267USD 7,1401 left
Oct 26, 2026 – Nov 2, 20267USD 7,140—
Nov 2, 2026 – Nov 9, 20267USD 7,140—
Nov 9, 2026 – Nov 16, 20267USD 7,140—
Nov 16, 2026 – Nov 23, 20267USD 7,140—
Nov 23, 2026 – Nov 30, 20267USD 6,06918 left
Nov 30, 2026 – Dec 7, 20267USD 6,06918 left
Dec 7, 2026 – Dec 14, 20267USD 6,06918 left
Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 21, 20267USD 6,06918 left
Dec 21, 2026 – Dec 28, 20267USD 6,06918 left
Dec 28, 2026 – Jan 7, 202710USD 10,400—
Jan 7, 2027 – Jan 14, 20277USD 6,42618 left
Mar 15, 2027 – Mar 22, 20277USD 6,42618 left
Mar 22, 2027 – Mar 29, 20277USD 7,140—
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 5, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Apr 5, 2027 – Apr 12, 20277USD 7,140—
Apr 12, 2027 – Apr 19, 20277USD 6,42618 left
Apr 19, 2027 – Apr 26, 20277USD 6,42618 left
Apr 26, 2027 – May 6, 202710USD 12,480—
May 10, 2027 – May 17, 20277USD 6,42618 left
May 17, 2027 – May 24, 20277USD 6,42618 left
May 31, 2027 – Jun 7, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Jun 7, 2027 – Jun 14, 20277USD 7,140—
Jun 14, 2027 – Jun 21, 20277USD 7,140—
Jun 21, 2027 – Jun 28, 20277USD 7,140—
Jun 28, 2027 – Jul 5, 20277USD 7,140—
Jul 5, 2027 – Jul 12, 20277USD 7,140—
Jul 12, 2027 – Jul 19, 20277USD 7,140—
Jul 19, 2027 – Jul 26, 20277USD 7,140—
Jul 26, 2027 – Aug 2, 20277USD 7,140—
Aug 2, 2027 – Aug 9, 20277USD 7,140—
Aug 9, 2027 – Aug 16, 20277USD 7,140—
Aug 16, 2027 – Aug 23, 20277USD 7,140—
Aug 23, 2027 – Aug 30, 20277USD 7,140—
Aug 30, 2027 – Sep 6, 20277USD 7,140—
Sep 13, 2027 – Sep 20, 20277USD 7,140—
Sep 20, 2027 – Sep 27, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Sep 27, 2027 – Oct 4, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Oct 4, 2027 – Oct 11, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Oct 11, 2027 – Oct 18, 20277USD 7,14016 left
Oct 18, 2027 – Oct 25, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Oct 25, 2027 – Nov 1, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Nov 1, 2027 – Nov 8, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Nov 8, 2027 – Nov 15, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Nov 15, 2027 – Nov 22, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Nov 22, 2027 – Nov 29, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Nov 29, 2027 – Dec 6, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Dec 13, 2027 – Dec 20, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Dec 20, 2027 – Dec 27, 20277USD 7,14018 left
Dec 27, 2027 – Jan 3, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jan 3, 2028 – Jan 10, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jan 10, 2028 – Jan 17, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jan 17, 2028 – Jan 24, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jan 24, 2028 – Jan 31, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jan 31, 2028 – Feb 7, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Feb 7, 2028 – Feb 14, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Feb 14, 2028 – Feb 21, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Feb 21, 2028 – Feb 28, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Feb 28, 2028 – Mar 6, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Mar 20, 2028 – Mar 27, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Mar 27, 2028 – Apr 3, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Apr 3, 2028 – Apr 10, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Apr 10, 2028 – Apr 17, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Apr 17, 2028 – Apr 24, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Apr 24, 2028 – May 1, 20287USD 7,14018 left
May 1, 2028 – May 8, 20287USD 7,14018 left
May 8, 2028 – May 15, 20287USD 7,14018 left
May 15, 2028 – May 22, 20287USD 7,14018 left
May 22, 2028 – May 29, 20287USD 7,14018 left
May 29, 2028 – Jun 5, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jun 12, 2028 – Jun 19, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jun 19, 2028 – Jun 26, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jun 26, 2028 – Jul 3, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jul 3, 2028 – Jul 10, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jul 10, 2028 – Jul 17, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jul 17, 2028 – Jul 24, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jul 24, 2028 – Jul 31, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Jul 31, 2028 – Aug 7, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Aug 7, 2028 – Aug 14, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Aug 14, 2028 – Aug 21, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Aug 21, 2028 – Aug 28, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Aug 28, 2028 – Sep 4, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Sep 11, 2028 – Sep 18, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Sep 18, 2028 – Sep 25, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Sep 25, 2028 – Oct 2, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Oct 2, 2028 – Oct 9, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Oct 9, 2028 – Oct 16, 20287USD 7,14018 left
Oct 16, 2028 – Oct 23, 20287USD 7,14018 left

What's included

  • ✓ Transfer between San Cristobal Airport/Local Hotel and Galapagos Master on the days of embarkation and disembarkation.
  • ✓ Full board meals and snacks,carbonated soft drinks,fruit juices,black and green herbal teas,fresh brewed coffee
  • ✓ Experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (4-5 divers per DM),
  • ✓ On a typical day we offer up to 4 day dives however the 4th day dive may be substituted for a night dive when the boat is anchored within a sheltered cove.
  • ✓ weight belts and weights.
  • ✓ Free dive insurance from Diviac
  • ✓ Free 1 year Premium membership for diviac's logbook (Value of USD 15)
  • ✓ Full board meals and snacks,carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, black and green herbal teas, fresh brewed coffee
  • ✓ Experienced English-speaking divemaster(s)
  • ✕ Alcoholic beverages (prices vary, with beer starting at US$2)
  • ✕ Full dive equipment rental (from US$22.50 per dive day) to be paid on board
  • ✕ Nitrox US $100-150 to be paid on board
  • ✕ Master Liveaboards merchandise (prices vary)
  • ✕ Crew gratuities: usually 60-70$ per day (only accepted in cash).
  • ✕ US$100 Galapagos National Park Tax payable on arrival at San Cristobal Airport - US$20 Ingala Transfer Card payable on arrival at Guayaquil Airport - US$35 Hyperbaric Chamber Fee payable aboard the Galapagos Master
  • ✕ If you would like to get a 12L steel tank or a 15L steel tank, there is an additional charge of US$ 4 per day for a 12L steel tank and a US$6 per day for a 15L steel tank.

Marine life

Hammerhead sharkTiger sharkManta rayMobulaDolphins

Facilities & amenities

Wi-Fi ($)Nitrox ($)Rental Equipment ($)

Reviews · 3

★ 4.73 guest reviews

★ 5 · Evan Cooper · 2026-04-23

The best liveaboard I have been on (and I have been on 3) by far. Everything from the diving to crew to guides was very professional, well thought out, detail oriented, and thorough. The wildlife did not disappoint, with amazing biodiversity on every dive. Also, the viz was very good. Carlos and Jacob were awesome dive guides. I could not ask for better people to lead us underwater. I felt very safe, even in tough currents and conditions. The dive briefings were very helpful and helped me feel confident before each dive. They also did a great job handling a very inexperienced and bad diver in my group, while not taking away from my experience. I could see the effort they put in to make sure he was safe, even as a very unsafe diver. I would not have been able to handle him the way that they did. Hans also did a great job helping him underwater, even as the diver was pulling him down and clueless as what to do. One suggestion, is to make sure all of the divers are experienced enough for the difficult dives, because the customer was not capable of doing an easy dive or even snorkeling. However, like stated before, the crew handled it the best that they could. For other crew, they went above and beyond helping me fix my vaccum pump for my underwater camera when it broke, spending an hour with me, when I only asked for a tool so I could fix it. It was late already last dinner, and they did not have to do this, and I am very grateful to them for that help. There was never a time I did not enjoy my time on this trip, and it was once in a lifetime!

★ 4 · Christopher M. Holcomb · 2018-01-31

The Galapagos Master did a lot of things right and I was generally impressed. It's a beautiful vessel with great staff. I gave three stars for value only because this is a high-end luxury trip and the price tag reflects it. It was not economical. However, there were a few fundamental problems. For one, there were only two guides for 11 guests (15 guests if the trip is sold out). With variable visibility and strong currents, I feel very strongly that diving in such large groups caused a lot of problems for group dynamics that really detracted from the diving. I would say that 4-5 divers per group would help considerably. I sometimes spent a third of the dive just holding onto rocks, flagging in the current with nothing to see, while waiting for the group to reconvene. I realize that the logistics are difficult with only two pangas, but this was my experience. Also, the two dive guides were mostly amazing, but after warning us about how challenging dive conditions are in the Galapagos, they often did not check in with the group often enough to manage problems, air consumption, or to stop when we found something interesting. Also, given that the La Nina conditions we experienced (i.e. up to 10 degrees F colder than normal) had been documented for over a month before the trip, influencing weather patterns all over the US, the staff really should have warned the guests while packing about the potential for water temperatures that were far below what was advertised as typical for January. When you are not prepared for it, diving in 60 F water when you expect 72 F can be a real problem.

Ready to plan this trip?

Our AI checks dates, cabins and prices, and builds your plan — our team handles the rest.

Plan this trip with AI →

More in Ecuador