The Humboldt Explorer, a 32m/105ft long state of the art liveaboard, is the latest addition to the Explorer Ventures Fleet. Purpose built for the waters of the Galapagos, the Humboldt Explorer vessel offers 7-night dive itineraries from/to San Cristobal, which includes Darwin Island and Wolf Island.
Facilities
The air-conditioned salon on the main deck includes dining tables, TV, VCR, CD/DVD, video library and lounge area. Stunning/viewing areas, ample seating, and a Jacuzzi are located on the top level. Aboard the Humboldt Explorer, lunch and evening meals usually offer a variety of chicken, beef, pork, and fish, with lots of fresh vegetables and rice. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast and fresh fruits. Snacks are available between dives.
The spacious dive deck with dive platform has two dedicated camera tables, recharging station, individual gear lockers, air and Nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate freshwater rinse tank for camera equipment.
The Humboldt Explorer is also equipped with a satellite telephone for outgoing calls worldwide, and all the electronic and navigation equipment is state-of-the-art and meets the latest safety standards.
We think…
The Humboldt Explorer is a very luxurious and comfortable vessel with high standard of service and offers a very comfortable way to explore the Galapagos Islands.
The Humboldt Explorer itineraries depart Baltra each Monday.
Getting here
For passengers on Tiburon Explorer there are a variety of flights possible. They must choose a flight that arrives in the morning, ideally maximum 11:30 am. Flights arriving after 12 pm will be too late to meet our guide.
Avianca operates flights to Baltra on Mondays. All flights start in Quito, stop in Guayaquil and go on to San Cristobal. On the way back they depart Baltra, stop in Guayaquil and end in Quito. The flight Quito-Guayaquil is 45 minutes, layover between 30 and 45 minutes. You do not get off the plane.
The flight from Guayaquil to Galapagos is about 1 hr 45 minutes. Flights are often late both ways.
Avianca 1638 departs Quito 10:10am, stops in Guayaquil 11:45am, arrives Baltra 10:49am. Galapagos is one hour behind the mainland.
Avianca 1639 departs Baltra 11:30am, stops in Guayaquil, arrives in Quito 6:00pm.
Airport check in to Galapagos
Passengers need to arrive at the airport minimum 2 hrs before flights to Galapagos. They will need first to stand in line at Consejo de Govierno for the tourist card ($20 cash per person), then scan bags with SICGAL and finally check in.
Luggage is limited to 23 kg per person. Overweight or additional luggage is $65 payable at the time of check in. Carry on is limited to 8 kg but is rarely weighed. We recommend to our guests to carry on as much as possible, similar to what they would carry on in the US. The planes are Boeing 737, Airbus 319 and 320. All have sufficient onboard storage.
The Humboldt Explorer comfortably accommodates 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned cabins across the main and lower decks. All cabins have private bathroom facilities, twin beds that convert to larger beds for couples, flat-screen televisions, and windows to maximize the view of the Pacific Ocean and Galapagos Archipelago.
Dive Service
Up to 4 dives are offered on dive days. A detailed briefing is done before each dive. Under new 2013 National Parks guidelines, 1-night dive at Wolf will be allowed by any vessel on a 7-night cruise within the Galapagos National Park.
Diving is done in small groups from the two dinghies, easily boarded from the Humboldt Explorer’s dive deck. Rental dive equipment is available (must be booked in advance) and they have 12L aluminum tanks with INT-connections. Nitrox is available for an additional charge.
The waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands are quite cool. From December to May: 21°-27°C (70°-80°F) and from June to November 15°-23°C (60°-75°F). It is advisable if you bring at least a 5mm – 7mm wetsuit (semidry) with hood, boots, and gloves. If you have one, bring a dry suit.
Dive Area
The dive sites of the Galapagos Islands possess some of the world’s most spectacular large fish varieties. Some of the biggest attractions include huge hammerhead schools, countless Galapagos sharks, sea lions, and sea turtles. The impressive underwater lava formations of the islands create a bizarre landscape with unique vegetation.
Highlights include the far north of Wolf and Darwin Islands (hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, Galapagos sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles). The schedule is determined by the captain and may change depending on weather conditions.
Live Availability
| This liveaboard's prices are in USD. The price paid in any other currency will be based on the actual exchange rate at the time any payments are made. |
| Surcharge for single occupancy cabin +80% |
| Included: Stateroom with twin or queen beds, all meals, beverages incl. softdrinks & local alcoholic beverages, transfers on charter days in San Cristobal, up to 4 dives daily (weather permitting), tanks & weights, air fills Cruise price includes 2 Land Excursions. |
| Not Included: Dinner on last night in Puerto Ayora, dive equipment rental, Nitrox, domestic flights to/from San Cristobal |
M/V Humboldt Explorer & M/V Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Extras
| AUD | USD | ||||
| Fuel surcharge | 150 | USD | | | 150 | |
| Galapagos National Park fees (cash only) | 200 | USD | | | 200 | |
| Galapagos INGALA Transit Card (cash only) | 20 | USD | | | 20 | |
| Nitrox fills (7 nights) | 150 | USD | | | 150 | |
| Full set of dive gear rental excl. computer (7 nights) | 250 | USD | | | 250 | |
| Dive computer rental (7 nights) | 100 | USD | | | 100 | |
| This liveaboard's prices are in USD. The AUD prices shown are based on the current exchange rate. The price paid in AUD will be based on the actual exchange rate at the time any payments are made. | |||||
| Important Information | |||||
| Special payment and cancellation terms apply for this operator. | |||||
