Galapagos Diving Liveaboard: What to Know Before You Go

Your first liveaboard is a different kind of dive trip: the boat travels with you, and the islands become part of your days on board. If you already dive and are thinking about Galapagos, a little preparation goes a long way. Get familiar with the rhythm, have your dive record handy, and plan your gear before departure.

What to expect from a Galapagos diving liveaboard

A liveaboard brings your accommodation, meals, and diving into one trip. You settle in on board, spend time moving between dive areas, and share the boat with the crew and other guests. Some days are centered around diving in an area; others include more time underway as the vessel follows its route.

Galaxy Diver II and Galaxy Diver III travel through the Galapagos, including areas such as Wolf and Darwin. The islands and marine life are a big part of the appeal, but wildlife encounters are never something to count on. The route gives you a chance to explore a range of places, while conditions can affect how a particular departure unfolds.

The onboard rhythm is part of the experience. Between activities, you can return to the boat, eat, rest, and spend time in the shared spaces. Checking the departure information before you go helps you picture the trip and arrive ready for it.

Certification and experience: are you ready?

Galaxy requires an Advanced Open Water certification and at least 60 logged dives. Before booking, share your certification and logbook with the team to confirm the requirements for your departure.

Keep your dive records up to date, including your recent experience. Sending them with your first inquiry helps the team give you an answer that fits your background, rather than a general description of the trip.

What a typical day on board looks like

On a day focused on diving, the rhythm can move from getting ready and a briefing with the dive team to scheduled activities, then back aboard for meals, a rest, or time in the shared spaces. There is room to reset between activities rather than rushing from one place to another.

A navigation day feels different: more of the day is spent underway as the boat makes its way toward the next area. The sequence is a guide to the rhythm, not a fixed daily schedule; the actual plan follows the departure itinerary and conditions.

Your dive team and group size

For a full departure of 16 passengers, Galaxy plans one instructor for every eight guests, with two instructors on board. That gives you a clear sense of the planned team size for a full group.

The dive team is also the point of contact for reviewing your experience and confirming the trip requirements. If your booking is for a different group size, you can check the staffing plan for that departure with Galaxy.

What to pack and what to arrange before departure

A few small preparations make it easier to focus on the trip once you arrive:

• Keep your passport and travel documents together, and check the current requirements for your route.
• Bring your certification record and logbook, with your dives recorded and easy to review.
• Send your certification and logbook details to the dive team before your reservation is confirmed.
• Decide in advance whether you plan to bring or rent dive equipment. If renting, share your needs and sizes with the team ahead of time.
• Keep the itinerary and departure instructions somewhere easy to find, including arrival and baggage information.

The equipment plan is worth settling early, especially if you have specific sizing needs. Galaxy can confirm the arrangements for your departure so you know what to bring.

Planning your trip with Galaxy Diver II or III

Both Galaxy Diver II and Galaxy Diver III follow the same overall route and requirements. Each offers a diving-focused liveaboard through the islands. The details that matter for your own trip are the departure itinerary, your eligibility, and your equipment arrangements.

Take a look at the Galaxy Diver II and Galaxy Diver III pages to explore each vessel and its departure information.

Questions to settle before you book

Before booking, make sure the dive team has reviewed your certification and logbook, and that you have a clear equipment plan for your dates. You will also want the itinerary and arrival instructions for your departure, so you can plan the journey around the trip rather than guessing at the details.

When you are ready, our team can help check the requirements and availability for your trip.