The Galapagos Islands

| Updated on July 25, 2026

The Galapagos Islands, an isolated archipelago of approximately 125 volcanic islands and islets stretching 224km (224km) from north to south, extend into Ecuador about 1,000km (620mi) off the west coast of Ecuador. The islands are home to a very unique set of wildlife. In fact, 70% of the plants and animals in Galá payments are found in kayak, wildlife observation, horse riding, cycling, trekking, surfing, diving, hanging out on the beach, and of course, shopping and relaxing in an outdoor cafeteria.

Curious about what lives beneath the surface? Explore the best Galapagos dive sites and the marine life that makes every dive unforgettable.

Related Articles
What to do at the Galapagos airport: how liveaboard crew meet you, luggage transfers, and the route from Baltra to your vessel or Puerto Ayora.
Marine conditions in the Galapagos: warm and cool seasons, where hammerheads school year-round, and why Wolf and Darwin attract the biggest wildlife.
About the Galapagos: over 5,000 species of flora and fauna, with hundreds of endemic species found nowhere else on the planet.
Tiburon Explorer’s itinerary

8 days/ 7 nights

Saturday: Baltra
Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning (please make sure to land in Baltra not later than 11:30am). The dive guides will meet the guests at the airport between 11:00 am and 12 pm and escort them to the Galapagos liveaboard, Tiburon Explorer®. Guests will board the vessel, have lunch, organize equipment and listen to the safety briefings.

Sunday: Baltra North (2 Dives)
Equipment check, 7:00 and 10:00 dives.
Sightings include rays and schools of fish.
Afternoon North Seymour land visit. Walk the path around North Seymour Island to see the large colonies of Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds. Sighting of Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas are also common. Depart for Cabo Douglas (11 hours).

Monday: Cabo Douglas (1-2 Dives)
Sightings include marine iguanas. Transit to Punta Vicente Roca.

Punta Vicente Roca (1-2 Dives)
Sightings often include mola mola, turtles and macro life. Transit to Wolf (10 hours).

Tuesday: Wolf Island (4 Dives)
6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale shark (in season), eagle rays, sea lions, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks.

Wednesday: Darwin Island (4 Dives)
6:30, 10:30, 2:00 and 4:30 dives.
Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season) eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. 
Transit to Wolf Island.

Thursday: Wolf Island (3 Dives)
6:30, 10:30 and 1:00 dives.
Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks (in season), eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Transit to Cousin’s Rock (20+ hours).

Friday: Cousins Rock (2 Dives)
6:30 and 9:30 dives.
This is a great macro diving with an excellent chance of seeing sea horses, sea lions and eagle rays. Lunch will be served while transiting to Santa Cruz (3 hours). Travel by bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands to visit the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Transfer to the town of Puerto Ayora. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Return to the Tiburon Explorer at 8:30pm.

Saturday: Baltra
Depart the vessel by 9 am. Transfer to the airport.