Köln Galápagos Cruise

Master

Galápagos Master prides itself as being one of the most eco-friendly Galápagos diving boats in the fleet. This sturdy, all-steel vessel is the perfect choice for getting you to some of the world’s best diving sites at the remote Wolf and Darwin islands. With only 16 guests maximum per trip and a crew of 12, she offers one of the best guest-to-crew ratios of any live aboard dive boat in the Galápagos, and her equipment is first class. Comfortable cabins Master has nine modern and well-appointed cabins, including four twins on the lower deck, and four on the upper deck. There is an additional single cabin which is available for solo travelers. Lower deck cabins may be preferable for those who suffer from motion sickness, as the ship’s movement will be less apparent in the swells that sometimes occur as you cruise the waters around the Galápagos. Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, while upper deck cabins have larger windows. All have en suite bathrooms with shower, and rooms are air-conditioned for your comfort. A social experience Galápagos Master’s communal areas are the heart of the ship. The main deck houses the spacious indoor lounge. Comfortable social seating makes this a great place to relax and swap stories about the day’s adventures and your Galápagos diving experience. You’ll also receive your safety and naturalist briefings here. There’s a large flat screen TV with HDMI inputs, which is perfect for watching your diving movies or taking a look at your photos. Also, on the main deck is the dining area and cocktail bar. Your chef Angel produces a great range of mouthwatering dishes, including his specialty ceviche, which is truly delicious, and can be enjoyed with a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks from the bar. Another great touch is the dedicated “camera station” where you can charge and store cameras - there are several North American power sockets available here, ensuring you’ll always be ready to capture the marine life that thrives in the Galápagos. For sun worshipers, the upper deck open-air lounge is perfect. Comfortable seating and loungers are available to help you soak up the equatorial sun. If you prefer a little more privacy, Galápagos Master’s bow area offers a quieter place to relax, with room for four sun loungers. The boat is very informal and relaxed, and you’re always welcome to use any of the gangways to move around the boat, and the captain is always happy to receive visitors on the bridge. High quality dive experience The dive deck on Master is very well-equipped, with everything you need for a first class Galápagos diving experience. Everyone is allocated their own equipment set up area, with storage for personal items. Generously sized rinse tanks are centrally located for washing down your dive equipment and camera gear, and there are 2 shower heads if you want a quick post-dive rinse. When you return from a dive, you’ll find a large dry towel waiting for you at your dive station, as well as a welcoming selection of warm drinks and snacks. **Stunning diving itineraries** With a choice of seven night and ten night itineraries, a Galápagos Master diving cruise offers something for everyone. Most days include four dives: two in the morning and two in the afternoon, but on some days you will have a shore excursion in the afternoon to allow you to see even more of the stunning Galápagos Islands and some of the land-based animals. This means that even on a seven night trip, you will enjoy 18-20 dives. However, the ten night trip means an amazing 28 dives are possible - if you can, this would be our recommendation for the ultimate Galápagos diving adventure of a lifetime. Galápagos Master offers you a wide range of dive equipment for rent at a reasonable daily rate, including full sets (excluding torch and dive computer) from $45 per day. Nitrox is available. **Our comments** Galápagos Master is a great option for seasoned divers who want to experience some of the best and most wildlife-rich diving in the world - including the world-famous Galápagos dive sites of Wolf and Darwin. Captain Javier and his dive team are highly experienced and very welcoming, and we particularly like the additional thoughtful touches that Master’s operators have put in place, such as the dedicated camera charging station and the individual preparation stations. This is a very social boat, and her large and comfortable communal areas attest to this. The salon is a great place to spend the evening checking out everyone’s photos and videos on the big screen - pictures from Galápagos you’ll treasure forever!

Nortada

Nortada is the perfect dive boat for those who want to make the most of their underwater time in Galápagos. With only 8 guests per trip, a diving cruise on Nortada will give you more time with the wonderful marine life of the archipelago. Her owner is also the operator - a local fisherman with intimate knowledge of the waters around the Galápagos and a deep understanding of what his guests are looking for in their diving cruise. Accommodation: With only four double cabins, Nortada is the most intimate diving experience in the Galápagos. All accommodation is on the lower deck, which minimizes the effects of the swell for a comfortable sleep as you motor between amazing dive sites. The Cabins are comfortable, with air conditioning, private heads and storage lockers. The public areas are bright and airy, and with only 8 guests sitting down to eat together there is a feeling of space and relaxation. There is a sundeck for relaxing and soaking up the equatorial rays. Diving: Of course, the diving is what this cruise is all about. Nortada is fully equipped to make sure you have an unforgettable time diving in the Galápagos. The scuba diving platform has ample benches, outside showers, camera tables and re-breather rinsing facilities. A complete toolkit and a selection of solid lead weights and trim soft pouches are available for all divers. 20 Nitrox compatible aluminum 80 cu ft / 12 liter cylinders are filled by one of the twin Nuvair LP/HP Compressors. Two Nuvair nitrox analyzers are available on board. For technical and re-breather diving, redundant oxygen clean Haskell Sport Boosters, one Tri Hunter 3000 Gas mixing stick for Trimix blending, several nitrox compatible 40 cu ft / 6 liter aluminum stage cylinders and several 19 cu ft / 2 liter steel re-breather cylinders with various valves and one Analytical Industries Trimix Analyzer are available upon request. Our comments: This is one of the best diving experiences you can have. The available itineraries will take you to the best dive sites in the world, and the team on board the Nortada are devoted to getting you underwater more often than other cruises that can be much more expensive. For divers, this is our pick of the lot.

Majestic

**Attention: This ship has been out of service since July 2019.** Its successor is the ship [Tiburon Explorer](https://www.galapatours.com/hosts/tiburon-explorer), which is a quasi identical Galápagos dive cruise to Darwin and Wolf. More info: https://www.galapatours.com/en/tiburon-explorer.html \- Stunning views from the amazing panoramic windows; \- Beautiful sundeck; \- Designed and built specifically for Galápagos; \- First class amenities. The Motor Yacht Galápagos Majestic is one of the most beautiful and unique vessels cruising the Galápagos Islands today. Built specifically for use around the Galápagos Islands in 2013, Majestic features cutting edge design and the latest maritime technology to bring you the most memorable onboard experience in the region. This is First Class adventure in every sense. Your Captain is Otto, who has wide experience around the Galápagos and is assisted by 8 other crew. Among them is chef Giovanni. He's Ecuadorian born, and we think his Encocado de Pescado is the best in the world, closely followed by his Patacones! The crew of Majestic pride themselves on being adaptable to your needs - they will adjust their itinerary to suit you, not the other way around. We discovered that the boat has underwater cameras available for guests to use when snorkeling free of charge if you don't have your own - a really nice touch. **Endless light** The main deck double staterooms on Majestic feature the largest panoramic windows of any boat in the Galápagos fleet. The stunning split-frame design means every single room is flooded with the amazing Galápagos light. Waking up to these views in the morning will take your breath away. These staterooms are always so popular that if you don’t book early you may be disappointed. The lower deck double cabins don’t enjoy the stunning panoramic windows, but clever design and beautiful decor means they too are flooded with light. For maximum flexibility they have beds that can be configured as twin or double to suit your needs. All rooms on board enjoy private en suite bathrooms with plentiful hot water and clean fresh designs. **Open plan relaxation** Communal areas on Majestic are delightful. Again featuring the signature panoramic windows, the spaces are beautifully furnished with gorgeous wooden floors and trims and stylish modern furniture. Everywhere you look you can see the ocean and the islands, making you feel connected to the outdoors even when you are inside. The comfortable lounge area features sumptuous sofas, a large screen TV, sound system, guest library and a modern and inviting bar area. The dining area is relaxed and inviting, and features huge sliding glass doors leading to a delightful sun porch. If you venture to the upper deck you will enjoy one of the finest sundecks in the Galápagos. A bar is ready to serve you drinks of your choice, and there’s plenty of cool shade and comfortable seating. If you want to enjoy the sun there is an expansive open area and the luxury of a jacuzzi tub for some ultimate relaxation! **First class food and service** With a maximum of only 16 passengers at any one time, the Majestic’s 10 crewmembers are able to give superb levels of service. As well as a fully bilingual naturalist guide to make sure you get the most out of your excursions, the highly trained team of chefs will cook a stunning range of delicious Ecuadorian and international specialities to delight your palate after returning from your wildlife adventures. **Our comments** If you can, please book now and secure one of the upper deck cabins - the views are like nothing you will have experienced on a small boat before. If you miss out, don’t worry. The views from the lounge and dining room are just as magical - and this boat has what is probably our favourite sundeck in the Galápagos. You can absolutely tell that this vessel was purpose-built for these islands because she and her crew do the job so well.

Galaxy Diver II

Embark on an unforgettable Galapagos adventure aboard the Galaxy Diver II, a top-tier liveaboard yacht designed for both diving enthusiasts and nature lovers. With capacity for just 16 guests, this intimate vessel provides personalized service, luxurious amenities, and thrilling access to the region’s remarkable underwater and terrestrial landscapes. Diving Adventures: The Galaxy Diver II offers unparalleled access to the Galapagos’ most iconic dive sites, including Wolf and Darwin Islands. Encounter vibrant marine life, from hammerhead sharks and manta rays to playful sea lions. Equipped with state-of-the-art dive gear and led by expert guides, the yacht ensures a safe and exhilarating experience. Naturalist Exploration: For non-divers, the Galaxy Diver II provides expertly guided excursions to explore the Galapagos’ unique flora and fauna. Hike volcanic landscapes, kayak along pristine coastlines, and snorkel among diverse marine species. Comfort and Elegance: The yacht features eight beautifully appointed cabins with air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and either panoramic ocean-view windows or charming portholes. Social spaces include a stylish lounge, shaded deck, and dining area for enjoying delicious, freshly prepared local and international cuisine. Sustainability Meets Luxury: The Galaxy Diver II integrates eco-conscious practices, blending responsible tourism with luxurious comfort to provide a guilt-free and memorable Galapagos journey. Whether you seek breathtaking dive experiences or a relaxing wildlife exploration, the Galaxy Diver II offers a once-in-a-lifetime journey through one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.