Nortada Galápagos Diving Cruise

Tiburon Explorer

Tiburon Explorer heralds a new era in luxury Galápagos diving liveaboards. Designed and built purely for Galápagos cruising, Tiburon brings you the perfect balance between wonderful diving experiences and superb accommodation. Welcoming a maximum of only 16 guests, Tiburon Explorer offers you a truly intimate Galápagos diving adventure. Superb comfort: As you'd expect from a modern ship, Tiburon Explorer is a world away from older, often converted vessels that offer cramped accommodation with portholes and bunks. Here you'll enjoy beautiful staterooms with twin beds that convert to a single queen size bed, climate control, and en suite bathrooms. Wonderful picture windows let the light and stunning views come flooding in, while chic and modern decor with recessed accent lighting gives your room a real boutique hotel feel. If you'd like even more space, why not book one of three suites on board? Featuring a private lounge area and extra space, these offer you a level of comfort you simply can't find on other Galápagos diving liveaboards. Designed for diving: Tiburon Explorer features a state-of-the-art dive deck with everything you need to make the start and finish of your dives hassle free. With only 16 passengers on board at any one time there's plenty of space to get ready. A recessed stairway leads to the waterline for easy zodiac embarkation. The large camera table with charging points, separate rinsing stations for gear and cameras, personal storage lockers and a dedicated bathroom are all testament to the thought that went into her design. But as well as being a superb Galápagos diving platform, M/V Tiburon Explorer is also a luxurious home from home. Her saloon features comfortable sofas and side tables in a sociable layout. Dining is equally sociable, with a large table accommodating all guests and your dive guides. This bonds everyone over the day's dive adventures as well as making it easy to quiz your expert guides about everything you have seen. When it comes to relaxing between dives there aren't many places better than the Tiburon Explorer's sun deck. This amazing space has loungers for sun-worshippers, shaded sofas for cooler relaxing, a fantastic alfresco bar, and even a whirlpool jacuzzi. This is the perfect place to watch the equatorial stars appear as the sun sets over the horizon. Our comments: This is a fabulous luxury dive vessel. Calling it a liveaboard doesn't really do it justice compared to others. If you are after a Galápagos diving experience that marries remarkable dive sites with luxurious accommodation then this is the vessel to book. Her dive guides are among the most experienced in Galápagos, and you will dive at the iconic Wolf and Darwin sites. This package really has it all!.

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!

Islander

\- Twin hulls for superb stability \- Medical officer on board \- Superb naturalist guides and expedition equipment \- Fantastic social spaces A purpose-built expedition ship, Islander is truly worthy of wearing the "National Geographic" name. With big ship facilities like a doctor's office and email station, yet the intimacy provided by only 24 cabins, you get the best of both worlds from a Galápagos cruise on National Geographic Islander. **A range of comfortable accommodation** National Geographic Islander was built as a naturalist expedition ship, but not at the expense of your comfort! With five classes of cabins to choose from, there's something for everyone on this [Galápagos islands](https://www.galapatours.com/en/island) cruise. All of her cabins feature two full-size single beds that can be converted to generous queen-size doubles if you prefer. For families, or those traveling as a group, there are two cabins that can sleep a third person. Every accommodation enjoys at least one standard window with ocean views, and some offer an enclosed private balcony area. The largest cabins on the upper deck provide superb wrap-around windows offering you unrivalled vistas as you cruise the Galápagos islands. Every room features a private bathroom with a shower, individual climate control, power sockets, and a desk. The decor is classic, with plenty of beautiful natural wood, and the walls feature unique wildlife photography of the Galápagos from National Geographic's stunning photo libraries. **Social spaces in which to relax and discover** Despite being "built for adventure", National Geographic Islander offers high levels of comfort while you are on board between excursions. You'll find that you will bond quickly with your like-minded fellow guests thanks to her large dining room, which accommodates everyone in a single sitting. You will swap tales of your Galápagos discoveries while enjoying the freshest local and international cuisine prepared by the on board chefs. Breakfast and lunch are usually buffet-style, with dinners being served to you. There's no formality on National Geographic Islander, and guests freely mingle. You'll often be joined for dinner by your naturalist guides, giving you an even deeper insight into the Galápagos as you enjoy this relaxed ambiance. The ship's large and comfortable lounge bar quickly becomes the social hub of your trip, and this is where you'll gather daily for your briefing and the National Geographic tradition known as "Recap". There's plenty of comfortable seating here for relaxing, reading, or just watching the world outside the panoramic windows. If you want some quiet time to yourself, why not select a book from the well-stocked and cosy library? Or perhaps head out to the decks and enjoy one of the hammocks that are rigged for guests - what could be better than basking in the Galápagos warmth like a [marine iguana](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-marine-iguana) while the ship gently sways beneath you? For an even more indulgent experience, why not book the ship's wellness specialist to give you a relaxing - or invigorating - treatment in the on board spa? You can also enjoy a guided stretching session on the open decks every morning. **Extras that help you really explore Galápagos** Given all the creature comforts that Islander offers you may forget that she is a National Geographic Galápagos expedition ship. But exploration and discovery are at the heart of what she offers. Her naturalist guides are among the most experienced in the islands, and she carries four zodiacs (known locally as "pangas") which means the whole ship's company can be transported to excursions at once, eliminating waiting times on board, and increasing your time on the Galápagos islands themselves. As well as pangas, National Geographic Islander carries 8 sea kayaks (a mix of singles and doubles) for guests to use. These offer a unique way to explore shallow inlets and mangroves, as well as to enjoy an "up close and personal" ocean experience. You will also be issued with your own snorkel gear for use during your cruise, including 3mm "shorty" wetsuit, allowing you to spend longer in the water with the amazing Galápagos wildlife, such as [Galápagos sea lions](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-sea-lion), [green turtles](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-green-sea-turtle), and [Galápagos penguins](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-penguin). Other unique facilities include a high definition underwater camera and a video microscope - both of which are used to great effect by the ship's naturalist experts to enhance your understanding of the flora and fauna of Galápagos. **Our Comments** There is no bigger name in natural history than "National Geographic", and we love the focus that this cruise puts on giving you a deep and rich understanding of the Galápagos islands and its wildlife and landscapes. Complimentary full snorkel gear, sea kayaks, and even a video microscope will bring you closer to Galápagos than other cruises. When you add to this the luxurious cabins, "big ship facilities", and the superb food and attentive crew, this Galápagos cruise really does offer it all.

Galaxy

This traditional, single-hull motor yacht has been beautifully designed to offer the most relaxing cruise experience in first class surroundings. Built in 2007, Galaxy has modern features and fittings with a sumptuous hand-crafted decor with a traditional flavour. Although capable of carrying 19 passengers, we choose to limit numbers to 16 – keeping your journey aboard Galaxy more intimate and personal than a larger vessel can provide. Galaxy is one of the few boats in her class to be awarded the Smart Voyager Certification. This prestigious accreditation is awarded in recognition of operating practices that reduce negative environmental impact of tourism in the Galápagos Islands. Galaxy has demonstrated her excellence in conservation of ecosystems, decreased risk of introduction of non-native species, continuing staff training programs, exemplary Quality Management systems and the best practices in waste management and security. Inside the ship you can find the lounge with flat screen TV, sound system and a library has amazing panoramic windows providing a constantly changing view of the Galápagos. Rich, sumptuous sofas let you relax totally whilst you simply enjoy being on board. Dining on Galaxy is an experience in itself, and the buffet service in the elegant dining room allows you to sample the best of local and international cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. With 10 staff to 16 passengers, including a bilingual naturalist guide, you can be assured of excellent levels of service and attention. Our bartender has a particular way with cocktails, so be sure to take advantage of his skills. The outside communal areas take Galaxy above others in her class. The large and beautiful wooden decks provide ample room to find a cozy corner. Sofas and loungers mean comfort is never far away. The upper sun deck has both welcoming shade and open skies – perfect for soaking in the sun or gazing at the stars.