dive in Galapagos, with

M/Y Wolf and M/Y Darwin new yachts,

Diving in Galapagos, including wolf darwin islands itinerary, is for medium and experienced divers.

Please check with us for spaces during 2012

The two 120 Feet (36 m) long yachts with 4 decks, which form Buddy Dive’s Liveaboard’s fleet, are custom designed by for diving in Galapagos. 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.

M/Y WOLF/M/Y DARWIN BUDDY SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 120.5 feet
Beam: 26.7 feet
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Range: 2,400 nautical miles
Capacity: 8 Suites for a Maximum of 16 Passengers
Nitrox: Yes
Equipment Rental: Yes

AMENITIES:
• Fully air conditioned interior
• Diving at Wolf and Darwin islands
• Naturalist dive instructor and dive master
• Ecuadorian and international cuisine
• Main salon with audio/video entertainment center
• Zodiac & dive platforms with fresh water showers
• Dive equipment rentals
• Ample space for personal gear storage
• Nitrox included in cruise price
• Up to four dives daily and land excursions
• Dive deck assistance and fresh water rinses

WOLF / DARWIN BUDDY RATES:
Prices for 2012 Jan-May-$4,500

From June-Dec-$4,950 based on double accupancy

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

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.

Saturday.Day 1 (day of arrival)
On Saturday you will arrive aboard at San Cristobal Island, followed by a check out dive at Isla Lobos. This site is the home for many sea lions, as well as sand dollars, black-blotched stingrays, puffers and sea stars.
Sunday.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.
Monday-Wednesday.Day 3 - 5
Every day three dives will be made at Wolf Island or Darwin Island. These dive sites are very well known for the high presence of hammerheads, and big Galapagos sharks. There is also the likelihood of seeing marine turtles, various types of rays, mantas, dolphins, moray eels, and invertebrates.
Thursday
Day 6
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.
Friday. Day 7
On this day two dives at Cousins Rock and Bartolome island are made in the morning, followed by a Guided visit to the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the afternoon. 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.
Saturday. Day 8 (day of departure)
Check out day and departure from San Cristobal.
Our Wolf Buddy and Darwin Buddy ensure a diving experience that will not be forgotten for a long time. This itinerary is subject to change without notice by the authorities of the Galapagos National Park Service depending on environmental reasons.

Dive Equipment Specifications
2x LW 450 compressors
NRC Nitrox membrane system
Cressi dive gear
Suunto dive computers
80 Cubic feet aluminum tanks

After a two-hour flight across the Pacific from Quito or Guayaquil, you will find yourself in the heart of the Galapagos Islands. On the airport you will be welcomed by our friendly local crew who will bring you to our yachts to go aboard.

Once you’ve boarded your boat and settled into your cabin, the onboard manager and guides will summarize the week ahead and explain the rules of engagement (which serve to protect you as much as the wildlife). On land you have to stay on the marked trails, and no touching or harassing the animal life, no matter how “tame” or friendly they appear.

Water temperature depends on time of year, location in the archipelago and the dominant ocean current. It can range from the upper 70s ºF to below 60º F (26ºC to below 16ºC), which is cold for the equator. While diving it is prudent to dress in layers, adding or subtracting another layer of neoprene as necessary.
All Galapagos diving is done from smaller dinghies, or pangas, launched from our yachts. Most dives are done as drift dives, where everyone rolls into the water together and the panga driver follows the bubbles along a predetermined route. All divers should carry a safety flag which will be available on our yachts. Notice we didn’t say sausage, as the inflatable sausages in Galapagos are not suitable for use. You can buy the safety flags from your local dive store. They are made up from segmented PVC plastic with a bungee cord inside, and when extended, they make a rigid solid safety flag. A noise-making device such as a whistle or airhorn would also be a useful device. These accessory items will make it easy for the panga driver to spot you after you surface.

Dive in Galapagos is a palatable excitement and with our new Galapagos diving live aboard yachts. As you suit up and climb into the panga and head out across open water to the dive site, you feel like you’ve just stepped into a Discovery Channel special, or maybe even an early Jacques Cousteau documentary. The anticipation of what lies ahead, just below the surface, makes even the most experienced diver quiver. Each site and island has its own flavor, and everyone has their favorites; Isla Los Lobos famous for the sea lions, Wolf and Darwin where many sharks can be seen or Roca Redonda and Vincente Roca where an encounter with Sun Fish can be expected but regardless of which site you’re on, they’re all exciting.

Diving in Galapagos, due to cooler water temperatures & strong currents, you need to be experienced, Galapagos diving is not at all suitable for novice divers.