The best way to experience some of the Galapagos’ nearly 40 diving sites is on one of the live-aboards, which often combine diving and land excursions in order to experience both worlds within the Galapagos National Park.

You can choose to join one of the regular cruises within the southern islands for shorter 4 or 5 day trips that offer diving to passengers who are interested. These cruises are great for anyone who would also like to take part in several land excursions or for non-divers accompanying a diver on the trip.

Some boats offer special diving itineraries, which are usually 8 to 15 days and include visits of the more distant islands of Darwin and Wolf. These islands are about 15-20 hours north of the main cluster of islands, but they are not open to land excursions and can only be explored underwater. However, these itineraries may not be as enjoyable to anyone whose trip focus lies beyond diving.

If you prefer to explore the underwater world of the Galapagos while staying on one of the islands and taking daily land excursions and dive tours (or diving only tours), there are also plenty of options available.