Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service - BC, MI

: Whale Sharks, Seals, Hammerhead and More!!

Date: August 30 – September 8, 2012

In 1835, Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands and called it 'a little world within itself.' His theory of evolution stems from the studies of these remote islands. The Galapagos Islands are located 605 miles off the coast of Ecuador and consist of 15 large and countless smaller islands. Little has changed since 1835, thanks in large part to the strict protection of the Ecuadorian government. Today these islands still offer a safe haven to an amazing array of creatures.

In all his exploration, Darwin however failed to realize one major fact. As incredible and unique as the topside animals are, it's the underwater scene that steals the show. Three major oceanic currents converge in the Galapagos providing a perfect environment for sea creatures of every size. It is not an exaggeration to say that you’ll likely see whale sharks, numerous species of rays, schooling hammerhead sharks, sea lions and more!

Sub-Aquatic Sports last venture to the Galapagos was in 1994 so this trip is LONG overdue. Per usual, our criteria are high especially because the cost of this trip is… well frankly high. They are as follows:

Whale Shark Season: The Galapagos are often referred to as the Whale Shark Capital of the World. Although we cannot guarantee sightings of the largest fish in the world, this trip is planned during prime migration time. The season runs from June through October.

Darwin & Wolf Island: Located in the northwest portion of the archipelago, Wolf & Darwin are hard to reach but well worth the effort. ‘Divers in the know’ reverently speak of Darwin & Wolf as having the most exciting dives in the world. Vast schools of hammerheads, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and turtles are just the start. This is again, the prime location for seeing whale sharks.

Luxury Liveaboard Boat w/ a Knowledgeable Crew: We have chosen one of the new Buddy Dive Liveaboards. There are two, the Wolf Buddy and the Darwin Buddy. They are beautiful 16-passenger motor yachts designed specifically for divers.

Buddy Dive - Galapagos Liveaboard inclusions: Smooth, stylish, spacious and comfortable, M.Y. Wolf Buddy and M.Y. Darwin Buddy, the newest and most spacious liveaboard dive-yachts in the archipelago of Galapagos, are much more than just two floating hotels.

The two 120 Feet (36 m) long yachts with 4 decks, which form Buddy Dive’s Liveaboard’s fleet, are custom designed by Buddy Dive and Varadero Maridueña in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which took them 12 months to design and 11 months to build. Both yachts are equipped with cutting edge equipment that includes a fire control system, life saving appliances, and a state of the art navigation and communication system. Excellent craftsmanship resulted in two yachts that will take care of giving the guests the assurance of enjoying an unforgettable holiday and plenty of memorable dives.

The suites, “very inviting after a beautiful day of diving” Upon boarding, guests are welcomed by the friendly and experienced local crew at the airport in San Cristobal. Before our team starts with the boat orientation and safety briefing, which will provide you with all the required information about the trip and dives to come in Galapagos waters, we will assign the suites (minimum of 161 square feet, or 15 square meters).

All suites are air conditioned, have their own private bathroom and are serviced multiple times per day. They are equipped with an entertainment system that includes a flat-screen monitor and a DVD player. The comfort of the furnishings makes these suites very inviting after a beautiful day of diving.

Cost:
Liveaboard Charter Suite: $4150*

* The cruise cost does not include the Galapagos National Park Fee $100, Transit Card Tax $10, Recompression Chamber Support $35. Tipping of boat crew is also customary.

This trip includes:

Airport meet and greet in San Cristobal (Galapagos) with escorted transfer to the port for Yacht boarding.

Seven nights aboard the liveaboard with 5 and ½ days of diving. Up to 4 dives a day at Wolfe and Darwin and up to 2-3 dives/snorkeling opportunities per day

One land excursion to the Charles Darwin Institute.

All meals and beverages (including national brands of alcohol). Most Dietary needs accommodated.

Free Nitrox

Payment:

Initial: A $500 non-refundable deposit guarantees space on this trip

2nd Payment: October 1 2011 of $1500

3rd Payment: January 2 2012 of $1000

Final Payment: Due no later than July 15, 2012

Total Trip Cost:
At this time, it is too early to book the flights, Quito hotel and land tours. Once prices are published (around September 2011) you will be contacted with the additional costs. Please expect to pay $1500-$2000 for the flights (international and island) plus $450-$500 for the optional Quito extension and tours.

Cancellation:
All deposits and payments are non-refundable. This money is used to hold your space on the liveaboard, the international flight from Detroit to Quito, the hotel and land tours in Quito and the island flight into the Galapagos. All payments are non-refundable unless Sub-Aquatic Sports can refill your space. If this is possible, there will still be a $500 cancellation penalty to offset the cost of airline ticket reissue fees, credit card fees, advertising, etc.

: Itinerary:
This is the current published itinerary, but the exact schedule may change without notice.

Day 1 (day of arrival) On Saturday you will arrive at San Cristobal Island, followed by a check out dive at Isla Lobos. Get your first taste of playing with sea lions. It is also home of stingrays, and puffers.

Day 2 Three dives are scheduled at North Seymour and Mosquera which gives the opportunity to see Galapagos garden eels, sea turtles, sea lions, fur seals, golden eagle rays, yellowtail grunts, bigeye jacks, schools of snappers and frequent sightings of whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads, and Galapagos sharks. Dr. Silvia Earle described this place as “the fishiest place in the world.”

Day 3 - 5 Divers 'in-the-know' talk of Wolf and Darwin as having the best dive sites in the world. Here is where the majority of our focus will take place. For three days, you will enjoy 3-4 dives/day. We are in whale shark country at prime time. But, that's only the start. These dive sites are very well known for schooling hammerheads and Galapagos sharks. Don’t be surprised to see various types of rays, mantas, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, barracudas, sea lions, and free swimming moray eels. If we’re lucky, you may even see silky sharks, Mobula rays, tiger sharks, blue marlin and even killer whales.

Day 6 It’s time to start heading back toward San Cristobal. No worries, there’s plenty of great diving on the back. Three dives are scheduled at Roca Redondo and Vincente Roca where often sun fish, hammerheads, white tip reef sharks, manta rays, sea horses and Galapagos sharks can be spotted.

Day 7 On this day two morning dives are planned for Cousins Rock and Bartolome island Cousins Rock is a perfect site for seeing black juvenile corals, Galapagos seahorses, octopuses, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, green sea turtles, eagle rays, and schools of barracudas. Land exploration is scheduled for the afternoon at the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. This is home to both the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora is the center of the Galápagos conservation efforts. Island visitors may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn the history of the islands and future conservation plans.

Day 8 (day of departure) Check out day and departure from San Cristobal

Quito Extension: If time allows, join us for an extension to explore Quito Ecuador. The cost will be approximately $500 and include 3 nights hotel stay, 1 full day tour in Otavolo market plus a free day.