Expertise Since 1987
Rated Excellent
FLEXIBLE PRICING
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:
An absolutely fabulous trip!
The crew on the Humboldt Explorer went above and beyond for us every minute of every day. Everyone – including the captain! – rallied on the dive deck to help us in and out of wetsuits and gear before and after dives. They helped us hang everything up, washed everything thoroughly every few days, hosed off BCDs with clean water every evening, and draped towels on us after dives. Anytime anyone had an issue with gear someone was there to fix it for us.
Our dive guides were both amazing, and led safe, excellent, and entertaining dives. You could tell they both just really love diving and the Galapagos, and that really shone through in their briefings and excitement level before and after dives. It didn’t seem like just a job, but a real passion. It was a really wonderful experience and I can’t wait to go back!
– Marie B, August 17, 2025
Responsible Diving: Dive Green® + Green Fins + PADI Eco Center
Humboldt Explorer is part of Explorer Ventures Fleet’s long-standing Dive Green® environmental program and participates in Green Fins, the internationally recognized sustainable marine tourism initiative coordinated by The Reef-World Foundation, plus is recognized as a PADI Eco Center.
Together, these programs and recognitions reflect a commitment to responsible diving, from diver briefings and reducing reef contact to waste management, environmental education and continuous improvements through Green Fins assessments and action plans.
The goal is simple: great diving with less impact on the marine environments we travel in.
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.
Camera Facilities
- Camera table: Dedicated camera table with selves on the dive deck – 2 m x 62 cm
- Charging: Dedicated camera charging station – 12 x 110V and 3 x 220V outlets
- Camera rinse: Separate rinse bins for camera equipment
- Air guns: Available for camera equipment
- Storage: Dedicated shelf below camera table for camera storage
- Dive access: Two large pangas provide access to dive sites
- Restrictions: Underwater flash photography and drones not allowed
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.
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.
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.
Registry: Pto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos Islands
Length overall: 111.5 ft (34 meters)
Beam: 21.3 ft (6.5 meters)
Draft: 8.2 ft (2.5 meters)
Tonnage: 169 ITC
Main engines: Detroit Diesel 6V92, 350 hp
Generators: 2x Perkins 73 kw
Maximum Speed: 10 knots
Fuel Capacity: 5,300 gallons (20,000 liters)
Range: 1,800 nm
Accommodations: 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms on main and lower decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. All rooms except rooms 3 & 4 (forward below deck) can be converted to either one queen bed or two twin beds. Up to 7 crew and 2 guides in crews’ quarters.
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Air Systems:2 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage
Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables (2), used for passenger transport and diver pickup
Accessories: Diving Equipment
The Sun Deck features a large lounge area, the partially covered sun deck and a hot tub with ample seating.
The Main Deck features two guest cabins, 1 & 2, each with private bath and shower, 1 queen or 2 twin beds, television, ample storage and provides guests with an ocean view; the dining area and large dive deck.
The Lower Deck comprises six cabins, 3-8, each with private bath and shower, television, window and ample storage. Cabins 3 & 4 have twin beds only. Cabins 5,6,7 & 8 have 2 twin beds or 1 queen bed.
