Galapagos Liveaboard Diving

About Humboldt Explorer® 

Scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands

The 16-passenger MV Humboldt Explorer liveaboard was completely renovated in March 2023 and is a favorite among divers in the Galapagos Islands. The vessel offers eight air-conditioned staterooms located on the main and lower decks; each with a private bathroom, flat-screen television, and ocean view. All rooms except rooms 3 & 4 (forward below deck) can be converted to either one queen bed or two twin beds. The yacht features a partially covered sun deck with a hot tub and ample seating, a salon area with dining, a bar, and an entertainment area.

Humboldt Explorer has a large dive deck includes a bathroom, a large camera table with a charging station, individual storage areas, rinse bins for cameras, and another for gear. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.

A great week aboard Humboldt Explorer is about more than the diving. From preparing gear on the dive deck to sharing stories over dinner, the crew takes pride in making guests feel welcome and well cared for. It's the kind of personal service that guests remember long after they've returned home. As one recent guest shared:

Photographer Amenities Aboard Humboldt Explorer

For photographers who dream of big animals and big scenes, the Galápagos is hard to beat. Humboldt Explorer combines dedicated camera facilities with an itinerary built around some of the archipelago’s most famous pelagic encounters. Galapagos Islands on Humboldt Explorer is best for photographers chasing schooling hammerheads, whale sharks and other large pelagics, with spectacular wide-angle opportunities, sea lions, turtles, rays, vibrant marine life and the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Galápagos.

What Underwater Photographers Can Shoot 

With four full days diving Darwin and Wolf, photographers have opportunities to capture schooling hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, manta rays, sea lions, dolphins and seasonal whale sharks. Included land excursions add another side of the Galápagos, with giant tortoises, land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and dramatic volcanic landscapes. 

Humboldt Explorer at a Glance

Everything you need to know about Humboldt Explorer, from accommodations and onboard amenities to the dive deck and technical specifications.

About Tiburon Explorer®

Scuba Diving in the Galápagos Islands

Built in 2020, the elegant & spacious 16-passenger M/V Tiburon Explorer is Galápagos Island's premier liveaboard. It provides 9 air-conditioned staterooms located on the main deck (6 cabins) and lower deck (3 cabins), all of which have private bathrooms and stunning ocean views. All cabins, except cabin 1 main deck  have twin beds that can be converted to queen beds for couples. The yacht features a partially covered sun deck with a hot tub and ample seating, a salon area with dining, a bar, and an entertainment area. WiFi with Satellite Internet connection is available onboard (see package prices in FAQs)

The Tiburon Explorer's large dive deck includes a bathroom, a large camera table with a charging station, individual storage areas, rinse bins for cameras, and another for gear. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.

Aboard Tiburon Explorer, the Galápagos experience extends well beyond the incredible wildlife encounters. With attentive dive guides, a welcoming crew, comfortable accommodations and great meals between adventures, every part of the journey adds to the experience.

Here's how one guest described their week aboard:

This was an awesome week. We saw so much life in the water and on land. The Tiburon Explorer was great and the crew was even better. From the food to the diving to the accomodations I'm not sure it could have got any better. We ate like kings and the service was some of the best out there. The diving and dive masters were great. All on hands on deck when getting ready to dive and when we came back from diving. Very detailed briefings and safety was their priority. The service while not diving was top notch. I would definitely recommend this boat to anyone and will probably be back soon to take more divers.

- Nick, March 30, 2026

Photographer Amenities Aboard Tiburon Explorer

Tiburon Explorer gives photographers a broader look at the Galápagos, pairing the big-animal action of Darwin and Wolf with Western Isabela and its very different cast of wildlife. Galapagos Islands on Tiburon Explorer is best for photographers seeking schooling hammerheads, large pelagics and elusive mola mola, alongside marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, dramatic wide-angle underwater scenes and extraordinary wildlife encounters on land.

What Underwater Photographers Can Shoot 

Three days at Darwin and Wolf bring opportunities for schooling hammerheads, sharks, rays and other pelagic subjects. Western Isabela changes the picture completely, with mola mola, marine iguanas, penguins and flightless cormorants among the potential subjects. Included land excursions add even more opportunities for photography of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, land iguanas, sea lions, and volcanic landscapes. 

Tiburon Explorer at a Glance

Everything you need to know about Tiburon Explorer, from accommodations and onboard amenities to the dive deck and technical specifications.