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Customized,
Personalized
Dive Odysseys
Estrella del Mar |
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Estrella del Mar Details |
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THE BOAT
The
Estrella del Mar is a beautiful
75-foot motor yacht, completely refit in 2003.
Wide sun decks in addition to the bar, dining and lounge
areas give you ample area for relaxation between dives.
You will have 2 to 4 dives
daily, depending on conditions. 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.
ACCOMMODATION
She takes 16
passengers in 9 air-conditioned cabins, on
main and lower decks, with queen/twin beds, closet,
windows, private en-suite bathroom with shower. |
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DIVING
& ITINERARIES
Two large
tenders are provided for access to dive
sites and you board them from an easy-to-use
diving deck.
The Estrella does 7 night trips and is
licensed to visit the central islands of
North Seymour, Bartolome and Santa Cruz, as
well as the enticing Darwin and Wolf.
All departures are
expected to be out of Baltra, Galapagos
Islands for 2009 and San Cristobal for 2010.
Below you'll find a sample itinerary.
The itineraries are subject to change.
Monday: Baltra/San Cristobal
Boarding after 11:00am, cruise to site for
check out dive, safety briefing & lunch.
Late day departure.
Tuesday: North Seymour
6:30, 9:30, dives at North Seymour. Afternoon/overnight
crossing to Darwin (20 hours).
Wednesday: Darwin
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Night at
anchor.
Thursday: Darwin Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives.
Evening crossing to Wolf Island (2.5 hrs).
Friday: Wolf Island
3 - 4 dives, depending on conditions. Overnight
to Isabela Island (15 hours).
Saturday: Isabela Island – Cabo Marshall
3 - 4 dives. Overnight
to Cousins Rock (8 hours).
Sunday: Cousin’s Rock
2 dives – macro diving with excellent
chance of seeing sea horses, frog fish, sea
lions, eagle rays. Lunch then cruise back to
Santa Cruz (3 hrs). Land trip to see the
giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa
Cruz and possible visit to the town of
Puerto Ayora. Dinner ashore.
Monday: Baltra/San Cristobal
If terminating in Baltra there will be an
early morning panga ride in the mangroves of
Black Turtle Cove. If departing in San
Cristobal there will be an early morning
trip to the beach to see sea lions and
marine iguanas.
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WHAT WILL I SEE?
Whale
sharks, hammerheads sharks, Galapagos
sharks, white tip sharks . . . . .
tunas, mantas, stingrays, eagle rays, .
. . . . . barracudas, snappers, goatfish, wahoo,
groupers & mola mola . . . . . dolphins, sea lions,
penguins, moray eels, turtles & red-lipped batfish . . .
. possibly even sailfish, tiger sharks, marlin and
killer whales.
And that's not
all. There is a broad spectrum of
marine life
that make the Galapagos Islands one of
the world’s foremost diving wonders.
Exactly what you see, of course,
will depend on the time of year, the region
of the Galapagos and, needless to say,
the weather & current conditions.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
Water temperatures in the southern islands can get as low as the mid sixties in the cooler season, but the northern islands of Darwin & Wolf are usually 10 degrees warmer.
Because of the currents in Galapagos the temperatures can change rapidly.
Outside the water, temperatures are generally pleasant & shorts and t shirts are comfortable attire. Still, we recommend carrying a sweatshirt as evenings on the deck can be cool. Definitely expect some challenging diving in many areas where the currents are strong.
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Photos thanks to our friend, Photographer
Steve Rosenberg |
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Prices include meals & snacks, all
beverages, up to 4 dives per day and all
port & immigration fees.
EXTRAS
Airport transfers (except while in
Galapagos)
Hotel accommodations
Flights to/from Galapagos
Last evening meal
Rental, instruction, nitrox and retail
charges
Departure taxes - up to US$41 pp
Premium alcoholic beverages
National Marine Park fees - $100 pp,
cash only. Paid on arrival in Galapagos.
TCT Tourist card - ($10 pp) Paid at
Ecuador airport of departure for
Galapagos. Cash only.
Temporary fuel surcharge - if applicable
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WHEN TO GO
Galapagos is a year-round destination.
In general, May to November, the time of cooler water temps, is the best season for Whale Sharks.
During the warmer water season, December to April, there will usually be a greater preponderance of ray species.
But there is so much all year round that it doesn't make a great deal of difference when you choose to go.
You are always assured of a magical adventure. |
RATES & AVAILABILITY
Visit our
Availability page for dates & spaces
currently open. Rates are listed at
the bottom of the availability page. |
Back to Galapagos
Overview
Contact us for additional details or to book spaces.
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