| 2008 Itinerary | 2008 vessel layout | 2008 permit |
| 2008 FAQ | Additional Information |
The Vessel
The Estrella del Mar comfortably accommodates 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms, all of which have private bathroom facilities. All cabins are located on the upper and lower decks. The yacht features wide sun decks, bar and a comfortable dining/lounge area. The dive deck is equipped with individual gear bins, camera table with low pressure air hose, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse for both scuba and underwater camera equipment. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.
Diving From The Vessel
The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from the 65 - 75F (18-24C) from December through May and 60 - 70F (15-21C) June through November. Water temperatures are slightly warmer in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 70 - 74F (21- 23C) June through December and 77- 83F (25-28C) January through May, with nearly constant sea breezes. Currents range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7mm wetsuit June - November and a minimum 5mm wetsuit December - May. Gloves and hood are recommended.
Safety Standards
To ensure your safety, we require the following of all divers:
- All divers must be certified as scuba divers by an internationally recognized accrediting organization.
- All divers must be experienced divers and have logged at least one dive within the 6 months prior to boarding the vessel.
- All dives are guided dives by an instructor/naturalist guide.
- All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff.
- All divers must have a submersible console and a computer.
- On night dives, a cyalume lightstick or marker beacon must be worn by each diver.
- Decompression diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 130' (110' on nitrox).
- Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.
- All divers must carry a DiveAlert, a surface signaling device, and a electronic beacon while diving (all available on board).
- Please note that, due to a combination of staff and equipment logistics, insurance requirements and local diving regulations, neither rebreathers nor diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) may be used aboard Explorer Ventures vessels.
What To Bring
Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn't require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits. Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty.
Sun screens, sunglasses, a visor, raincoat, lightweight sweater or jacket, backpack, tevas and a hat is recommended. Please remember that the Galapagos Islands straddle the Equator and the sun can be very strong at times. In case of rough weather or if you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor. If you have favorite CD's or DVD's, feel free to bring them.
All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, dive towels, and wash cloths) are provided on board.
If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, a swimsuit, change of clothes, medications and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable.
There is a weight limit on checked-in luggage for flights to and from Quito and/or Guayaquil to the Galapagos of 44 pounds ( 20 kilos.). An additional fee of US$1.70 per 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) to and from Quito will be charged for luggage over the limit and US$1.50 per 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) to and from Guayaquil. In addition, passengers are allowed a carry-on bag weighing no more than 17.6 pounds (8 kilos).
Subject to change at any time.
Equipment List
The vessel provides tanks, weights, and weight belts for your use. If you prefer to rent the rest of your equipment from us, we have all of the equipment that you will need. Please indicate on your application form what equipment you will require. Otherwise, the following items are the diver's responsibility:
- Certification Card
- Diving Log Book
- Mask *
- Snorkel *
- Fins *
- Booties
- Buoyancy Control Device (required) *
- Regulator w/alternate air source *
- Submersible pressure and depth gauges (required) *
- Dive light *
- Dive computer *
- Wet suit - 5 mm to 7 mm *
- Hooded 5 mm vest
- Repair kit w/ spare parts
* Available for rent on board
Dive Insurance
Due to the nature of this trip and the very remote nature of the destination, all divers are required to have dive accident insurance when diving from the
Estrella del Mar, and to note the policy number on their application form. Insurance options and information.
Arrival/Departure
Passports are required for all arriving foreign nationals. If in doubt about visas, contact the Ecuadorian Consulate for specific requirements from your country.
Transfers within the Galapagos are included in your package, and you will be met at the airport by our tour operator. If you miss any of your flights and are not able to make it to Ecuador or the Galapagos on schedule, please contact Galasam, our Ecuadorian partner, at 011-593-9703-1382 and notify them of your updated arrival time should you have that information, and where you may be reached in the meantime. The Estrella del Mar will leave port on Monday at approximately 1:00pm.
The Estrella del Mar arrives at its final destination port on Sunday afternoon and passengers spend Sunday night and have Monday breakfast on board. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. There is a departure tax, payable in cash, of US$40.80 in Quito, US$26 in Guayaquil (both subject to change) upon leaving on a flight from either Quito or Guayaquil.
Please note: Flight times, prices and the Galapagos airport of arrival are all subject to change with little or no notification, and flights often run late. We strongly encourage our guests to plan on arriving at least one and preferably two days prior to your flight to the Galapagos Islands, to ensure that your luggage is with you or to make up for any travel delays. We also recommend that guests plan on an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil upon departing Ecuador. The earliest time a guest can reliably expect to connect to another flight is 10 p.m on the last Monday of the trip. Ticket holders are required to check-in a minimum of two hours prior to flight time for all international departures, even when connecting from an Aerogal or Tame flight.
Meals
Aboard the Estrella del Mar, evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork and fish. Breakfast is a fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and lots of fresh fruit. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches, burgers, pasta, assorted salad and quiche. Baked breads, cookies and other snacks are offered between dives.
If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form. Please note that specific brands of drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and that it can be very difficult for us to find low-fat or soy products, fresh fruit, fish, and other items common elsewhere. While we will do our best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk or seriously compromise your enjoyment of your holiday.
Currency
The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Ecuador; therefore, it is not necessary to exchange currency after arrival. Most major credit cards are accepted widely when shopping ashore.
Departure
The Estrella del Mar arrives at its final destination port on Sunday afternoon and passengers spend Sunday night and have Monday breakfast on board. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. There is a departure tax, payable in cash upon leaving on a flight from either Quito and Guayaquill.
On Board Charges
Though all meals, beverages, transportation between islands, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on board bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), incoming and outgoing telephone calls, photographic and scuba instruction, rentals, premium alcoholic beverages, and crew gratuities, and a fuel surcharge.
The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using cash, Visa, MasterCard; traveler's checks are not accepted. We are unable to cash credit card charges.
Communications
Outgoing calls may be made from the Estrella del Mar via satellite phone. Please be aware that a charge is assessed for both incoming and outgoing calls.
Crew Gratuities
Crew gratuities are not included in your package. The crew works hard, 7 days a week and up to 12 weeks at a stretch, providing the best possible service for our guests. The industry standard for crew gratuities on dive trips (if of course you are happy with the service which you have received) is between 10% and 15% of the package price per passenger. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
Package Information
Packages Include:
- 7 nights/8 days
- 3 meals daily, plus between-dive snacks
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Up to 4 dives a day (days vary)
- Use of tanks, weights and belts
- Port and immigration fees
Packages Do Not Include:
- Airport transfers
- Hotel accommodations
- Flights to/from Galapagos
- Rental, instruction, nitrox and retail charges
- Crew gratuities
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Departure taxes - US$25 pp
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- National Marine Park fees - US$100 pp, cash only
- TCT Tourist card - US$10 pp, cash only. Paid at the Galapagos airport along with the Park fee.
- Temporary fuel surcharge - if applicable
The expectation is that for 2009 departures and beyond the Galapagos Eco Explorer I or an equivalent vessel will hold the diving permit.
