Galapagos Tribute

Destination: Ecuador

Galapagos Islands ( 4 - 6 Nights) | From $1,532++/night

Galapagos Tribute Quick Pitch

Embark on an extraordinary adventure in the mesmerizing Galapagos Islands with the Galapagos Tribute. Meticulously designed to offer an immersive experience for nature enthusiasts, Tribute seamlessly blends opulent amenities with knowledgeable guides. This vessel, a testament to exceptional travel craftsmanship, allows guests to intimately connect with the Galapagos' natural wonders, promising memories that endure a lifetime. 

Location

Galapagos Tribute primarily embarks and disembarks from ports in Baltra or San Cristobal, offering a gateway to the remarkable natural wonders of the Galapagos archipelago. The proximity to these airports ensures convenient access for guests, facilitating a seamless transition to and from their immersive Galapagos experience.

Dive Overview

Divers are drawn to the Galapagos for its extraordinary marine life, a captivating fusion of warm-water and cold-water creatures. From majestic whale sharks and schools of hammerhead sharks to the impressive Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, bullhead sharks, and the intriguing mola molas, diving the Galapagos provides an unparalleled diving experience.

Beyond the allure of pelagics, the Galapagos underwater world is teeming with diverse marine life. Swirling around the vibrant ecosystem are playful sea lions, agile penguins, graceful mantas, majestic eagle rays, elusive eels, serene turtles, and the iconic marine iguanas. The depths also host pelagic fish and other massive schools, offering divers a mesmerizing spectacle of underwater wonders. 

[See: Galapagos Dive Travel Guide]

Galapagos is one of the best shark diving destinations in the world. Check out the full list here...

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

Galapagos Tribute Accommodation Details

Galapagos Tribute liveaboard presents luxurious accommodations for an indulgent stay during your exploration of the Galapagos Islands. The Lower Staterooms are the perfect accommodation for solo travellers wanting to travel in style. These under-deck cabins 18m2 and provide privacy and comfort with private facilities. See below for more information on the other accomodation types:

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• The Owners Suite, featuring a capacity for three guests and equipped with two queen beds, provides a retreat with amenities such as air conditioning, shared bathroom, WiFi, towels, and daily housekeeping. This exclusive suite further boasts an en suite bathroom with a hot water shower, ensuring a comfortable and rejuvenating experience.

• For those seeking the Panorama Suites, each cabin accommodates two guests with two queen beds. With a total of four cabins, these suites offer a harmonious blend of comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy features such as air conditioning, shared bathroom, WiFi, towels, and daily housekeeping. The en suite bathroom and hot water shower enhance the overall relaxation experience.
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• The Premium Suites, designed for a capacity of three guests with two queen beds and one sofa bed, provide a serene and intimate setting. With two cabins available, these suites offer amenities including air conditioning, shared bathroom, WiFi, towels, and daily housekeeping. The en suite bathroom and hot water shower add to the overall comfort and convenience, ensuring guests a tranquil stay on board the Tribute liveaboard. 

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General Facilities

Galapagos Tribute Boat Features

• Sundeck
• Hot tub/Jacuzzi
• Outdoor dining area
• Bar
• Leisure deck
• Common area
• Indoor dining area
• Indoor salon
• Audio & video entertainment
• Spa/ Massage
• Air conditioning throughout the vessel
• Wifi throughout the vessel 

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Galapagos Tribute Liveaboard Deck Plan

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Schedule, Rates & Availability

Galapagos Tribute Schedule & Rates

Prices are in USD, per person and are based on the lowest priced cabin. Port and park fees are not included.

[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions and Full Rates by Cabin Type]

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Inclusions

• Lodging on board in a cabin with private facilities
• Three meals per full-day; unlimited water, coffee, and tea
• All excursions as mentioned in the itinerary with one English speaking naturalist guide
• Use of kayaks (if applicable)
• Snorkeling gear (masks, flippers and snorkel) & wetsuits
• Collection of local house wines, beers and soft drinks.
• Wifi service (please note service might be intermittent in remote places)
• Complimentary Access to VIP lounge at Baltra airport.
• Airport-yacht-aiport transfers (only guaranteed if passengers arrive at the scheduled meeting point, date and time)

Exclusions

• Roundtrip flight to Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD 100 pp, subject to change)
• Transit control card (USD 22 pp, subject to change)
• Alcoholic drinks aside from the local house wine and beer
• Wetsuit or other rental equipment
• Tips
• Travel insurance (mandatory) and other items of personal nature

RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more information on other departure dates, rates, and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Destinations

Galapagos Dive Overview

• June - November: The water is cooler, 60-75F, 16-24C; Whale Shark sightings are greater
• December - May: The water is warmer, clearer 70-86F, 21-30C; Larger schools of Hammerhead Sharks, Manta Rays and Eagle Rays
• All dives from tenders. Up to 20 dives are offered during the week.
• 5 - 7mm wetsuit recommended

ROUTE A | Enchanted Escape

Embark on our South & East Galapagos Safari, a 5-day enchanted escape. 

Begin your journey traversing the captivating highlands of Santa Cruz. Explore secluded islands, lounge on pristine beaches, and witness remarkable wildlife encounters. 

This immersive experience culminates at San Cristobal’s Interpretation Center where you will get a glimpse of the seriousness and complexity of preserving the unique ecosystems of Galapagos.

sample Itinerary

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• DAY 1 - Wednesday
• AM: Arrival at Baltra Airport
• Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer in. You must pay your Galapagos National Park entrance fee (unless it was pre-paid) and your luggage will be inspected. An ONIRIC CRUISES guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour. Here you will climb aboard the yacht Tribute. After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch aboard.
• PM: Highlands (Santa Cruz)
• Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild Galapagos giant tortoises, roaming through pastures in the agricultural zone and in the transition zone of adjacent El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
• DAY 2 - Thursday
• AM: Mosquera
• Galapagos sea lions are true beach lovers and Mosquera offers beautiful white coral sand beaches, which contrast with the blue water and thus attract numerous sea lions. 
• During a beach walk, you can observe numerous species of waders and sanderlings. Between the rocks, the red clip crabs wait to playhide and seek while you try to get the perfect photo. If you are lucky, you may even encounter yellow-crowned night-herons or even a red-footed booby.
• PM - South Plaza
• Popular South Plaza is not to be missed! This bizarre ‘Jurassic islet’ is the best place to see the emblematic ‘Galapagos dragons’, which crawl across it.
• DAY 3 - Friday
• AM - Cormorant Point, Champion Islet
• This morning you will have a wet landing on this peninsula that is covered with aromatic palo santo forest. The sand at the beach is green, because it contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals that have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. Crossing to the other side of the peninsula, there is a ‘flour sand’ beach that originated from coral pulverized by Parrotfish.
• From the shore you could spot schools of stingrays who love burying themselves in the sandy bottom. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury their eggs. Return on board.
• PM: Baroness Lookout, Post Office Bay
• While you were having lunch we navigated to Post Office Bay. This mailing station has been intermittently in use since the eighteenth century, when the Galapagos was a resupplying port for Pacific pirates.
• You can join their tradition and send greeting cards to your belovedones worldwide using the historical barrel (it works). Nearby, the beach is normally visited by sea lions, pacific green turtles, golden rays and even penguins.
• Next, you may climb the miniature basaltic cone of Baroness Lookout and take in the paradisiacal coastal views. This viewpoint was the favourite spot of one of Floreana’s first modern-era colonists, the eccentric self-proclaimed Baroness and ‘Empress of Galapagos’ Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, who even built her house a few metres behind. She and one of her lovers were the first in a series of mysterious disappearances and deaths occurring in this island during the 1930s.
• DAY 4 - Saturday
• AM: Suarez Point (Española)
• This island is one of the greatest in the world for birdwatchers. Different kinds of finches, frigates, blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies can be found, as well as the endemic Española mockingbird, Albatross, and Galapagos hawk. Watch your step, because each Albatross' couple lay an egg on the floor and make it roll over to improve hatching success. The juveniles attend the cliffs of the island to learn to fly by jumping into the abysm. And the chicks are organized in nurseries where they will safely remain while the adults are away at sea. 
• Another highlight during this visit is “El Soplador”, a 25 m water geiser produced by ocean waves crashing with great pressure with cracks in the island’s cliff, spouting up through a lava tunnel. This site offers a fantastic background for a meditative experience or a memorable photo.
• PM: Gardner Bay (Española)
• We will keep exploring Española island, the oldest in the archipelago, estimated at over 4 million years old, located in the extreme southeast of the archipelago.
• On the north-eastern coast of this island, Gardner Bay offers a wonderful place to refresh in the turquoise sea and to snorkel side by side with eagle rays, golden rays, barracudas, batfish, turtles, sea lions, and white tipped sharks.
• DAY 5 - Sunday
• AM: Interpretation Centre and Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal)
• Today, for your last excursion, you will disembark to San Cristobal island. There you will visit an Interpretation Center, where photos, historic documents and maquettes will help you get a glimpse of the seriousness and complexity of preserving the unique ecosystems of Galapagos.
• After this visit, you will disembark and get transferred to San Cristobal airport. There you will catch your flight

ROUTE B | Wildlife Discovery

Set sail on our Central & North Galapagos Safari, a 5-day Wildlife Discovery. Begin your journey to the pristine Lobos Islet. 

Dive into encounters with the vibrant wildlife of Santa Fe, including endemic species. Explore the secluded wonders of Genovesa, famous for Darwin Bay and Prince Philip’s Steps. Venture to Chinese Hat and Rabida, discovering unique landscapes and wildlife. 

Conclude your adventure with a visit to the Charles Darwin Center on Santa Cruz, where conservation and discovery merge.

sample itinerary

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• DAY 1 - Sunday
• AM: Arrival in Galapagos and boarding the yacht
• Upon arrival at San Cristobal, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour, where you will board the Tribute cruise.
• You will be assigned to your cabins, and lunch will be served shortly after.
• PM: Lobos islet (San Cristobal)
• Lobos Islet harbours a colony of Galapagos sea lions. As in other colonies in the archipelago, you can approach nurturing females within a few metres. During breeding season this colony is also visited by territorial males, defending and mating their harem.
• There are two other emblematic species breeding here: male blue-footed boobies and great frigate birds who try to impress the females (and tourists) with clumsy dances, heaving their feet or blowing up their balloon-sized scarlet pouches.
• DAY 2 - Monday
• AM: Santa Fe island
• During you excursion at Santa Fe island, you will get surprised at how close to you some curious sea lions waddle. Likewise approachable for a close-up are Galapagos hawks that usually perch at their outlooks, ready to snatch away a baby marine iguana or lava lizard.
• We start next a cactus forest trail, that gives a close-up view on how these surrealistic, house-high giant opuntia prickly pears have grown out larger than on any other island and tell a fascinating evolutional story. 
• At the calm, turquoise Barrington Bay, you can swim in close company with Galapagos sea lions, fluorescent blue chin parrot fishes, yellowtail surgeon fishes, whiptail stingrays, Pacific green turtles, whitetip reef sharks, and more.
• PM - Black Turtle Cove
• You will disembark the cruise in the afternoon, to explore Black Turtle Cove from the dinghy.
• This place is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.
• As we drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green turtles come to the surface for air. 
• DAY 3 - Tuesday
• AM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa)
• As one of the outer islands and most exclusive places on the Galapagos, Genovesa is well worth last night’s longer navigation. This compact site in the heart of its flooded crater shows the extremely varied coastal ecosystems of the Galapagos in miniature; nearly too much for a single day.
• Whimbrels and wandering tattlers forage actively along the surf, next to resting Galapagos sea lions. Impressive frigatebirds and red-footed boobies nest in the mangroves, where you can also see vocalists such as the yellow warbler, Darwin’s finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. Uniquely, two subpopulations of the same species of large cactus finch differ in their singing
• PM: Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa)
• Not only because of its historical English name (Tower) Genovesa has a royal touch. Follow in the footsteps of Prince Philip – Galapagos lover for many years – and visit this favourite birding spot with the largest breeding colonies of red-footed and Nazca boobies, and look for the remarkable short-eared owl that hunts on foot!
• DAY 4 - Wednesday
• AM: Chinese Hat
• Approaching Chinese Hat from the north, you will understand the reason of its name. You arrive just in time to witness how this young barren islet is being colonised by pioneer species sprouting from holes in the lava. The presence of Galapagos sea lions, countless marine iguanas, eagles and mockingbirds contribute to soil fertilisation.
• Snorkelling here is highly recommended, as it’s home of a colony of Galapagos Penguins, critically endangered because of the effects of climate change. While you’re swimming, they might approach curiously to your mask, alongside sea lions and elusive Pacific green turtles.
• PM: Rabida island
• This afternoon you have a ‘wet landing’ on the extraordinary red beach of Rabida island. Oxidised iron particles have given its rocks and sand an intense rusty colour. Contiguous to the beach is a shallow green lagoon, an oasis on this otherwise arid island, which attracts all kind of aquatic birds, like pintails and sometimes American flamingos. Between the evergreen foliage of the surrounding mangrove bushes, many species of songbirds hide and breed.
• One of the most outstanding attractions is the major breeding colony of brown pelicans, the only ones in the world that plunge-dive. On return you will be picked up by the inflatable dinghies, to get ready for snorkelling. 
• DAY 5 - Thursday
• AM - Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
• The dinghies will bring you to the touristic pier of Puerto Ayora, in Santa Cruz island, from where you will be brought to the Charles Darwin Research Station. This institution was named after the British naturalist who developed his Theory of Evolution after visiting these islands in 1835, and works on the conservation and restoration of the Galapagos ecosystems, as well as for the sustainable development of its communities.
• There is an interpretation centre about the National Park and its Marine Reserve. The most memorable part of your visit will probably be the successful breeding centre and the enclosures with Galapagos giant tortoises.
• After this visit, you will disembark the Tribute, and be transferred to Baltra airport.

ROUTE C | Darwin’s Odyssey

Embark on a 7-day Central & West Galapagos Safari, an expedition of epic proportions. 

Your adventure begins at Baltra Airport, where the enchanting highlands of Santa Cruz beckon. Dive into the depths of Isabela, encountering the Tintoreras Shark Channel and the fiery Sierra Negra Volcano. Marvel at the tortoises of the breeding center and the mesmerizing wetlands. 

Finalise your voyage at Las Bachas Beach where the sand here is made of decomposed coral, so it’s white and soft, an ideal nesting site for sea turtles.

Sample itinerary

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• DAY 1 - Thursday
• AM: Cruise starts at Baltra airport (GPS)
• Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer in. You must pay your Galapagos National Park entrance fee (unless it was pre-paid) and your luggage will be inspected. An ONIRIC CRUISES guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour. Here you will climb aboard the yacht Tribute. After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch aboard.
• PM: Highlands (Santa Cruz)
• Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild Galapagos giant tortoises, roaming through pastures in the agricultural zone and in the transition zone of adjacent El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
• DAY 2 - Friday
• AM: Tintoreras and Sierra Negra Volcano (Isabela)
• While you were sleeping, we navigated to the western island of Isabela, the largest of the archipelago, and one of it’s youngest, at 1 million years old.
• Your first visit here will be to the offshore islet of Tintoreras, remarkable for its breeding colony of large marine iguanas (each member measures up to 1.5 m/5 ft!).
• Snorkelling opportunities are excellent, as the site features a unique tidal channel with clear, turquoise waters, allowing you to swim alongside playful sea lions, marine turtles, marine iguanas, sting rays, and white tip sharks. Also, you have one of the best chances to see the only tropical penguin in the world.
• Afterwards, you will enjoy a tour to the Sierra Negra volcano. Bring a backpack with hiking & water shoes, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a light rain jacket.
• Sierra Negra is the only major volcano on Isabela which crater regions are currently open to tourism. Its impressive caldera of 10 km wide is the largest of the Galapagos Islands. The route followed is approximately 16 km long, and will reward you with dramatic geological and ecological contrasts. 
• You will start today’s tour to Sierra Negra boarding a local chiva-ride (open truck with wooden benches) leading from Puerto Villamil to the National Park Entrance. After crossing a barren lava flow with cacti and passing a flamingo lagoon, the main road leads through Isabela's surprisingly lush agricultural highlands. While gaining altitude, no less than five vegetation zones will be passed.
• A trail along the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano leads to a viewpoint where you can try to grasp the incomprehensive dimensions of its caldera (clear weather unpredictable, but thanks to prevailing winds fog usually tend to dissolve on approach). Songbirds will accompany you along the way, harmonizing the steaming volcanic landscapes. 
• PM: Wetlands, Wall of Tears and Tortoise Breeding centre (Isabela)
• You will disembark the cruise in the afternoon, to explore Black Turtle Cove from the dinghy. 
• This place is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.
• As we drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green turtles come to the surface for air.
• DAY 3 - Saturday
• AM: Moreno Point (Isabela)
• During the night we navigated to the northwest coast of Isabela, where the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes are found. In between these two, we will disembark at Punta Moreno, where a trail that runs along a solidified black lava flow will lead us to a complex of tidal lagoons. In their waters, we might see sharks and marine turtles.
• Several species of birds will also be visible, including flamingos, which are found around the lakes and mangroves. This is a favorite excursion as it combines the opportunity to see coastal species with a hike through stunning landscapes.
• PM: Espinoza Point (Fernandina)
• Later, you will visit Espinoza Point,which is Fernandina’s only terrestrial visitors site, and one of the few locations where you will find some bizarre animal species, products of natural selection.
• The figurehead is the emblematic flightless cormorant that lives exclusively in the remote west of Galapagos, and could be considered as the ‘holy grail of evolution’. This bird lost its ability to fly, but instead became an agile marine hunter. You will also love the almost unworldly views with the dominating cone of Volcán La Cumbre as a spectacular backdrop. The narrow headland that you walk along is the end of a lava tongue that reached the coast and solidified upon contact with the water.
• DAY 4 - Sunday
• AM: Tagus Cove (Isabela)
• This morning’s visit starts with a dinghy ride along the island’s cliffs. This will provide you a good chance to spot the endemic Galapagos penguin, the only one of its species to live in the tropics.
• From the landing dock, it’s a 30-minute hike along the trail to the top of the cliff, from where you can observe the iconic Darwin Lake (pictured). Look carefully at all the graffiti on the surrounding rocks, they were written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries. Back at the coast, you could pick a kayak to explore these paradisiacal coastal environment.
• PM: Vicente Roca Point (Isabela)
• Whilst having lunch we navigated across the Bolivar Channel for a final visit to Isabela island. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner, the collapsed amphitheatre of the Ecuador volcano offers an impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are a fairly cold, but a great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and even seahorses!
• DAY 5 - Monday
• AM: Pinnacle rock (Bartholomew)
• The beautiful volcanic islet of Bartolomé is among the youngest of the islands and, on a geological scale, was just recently born out of the fire. Although it looks deserted at first sight, Bartholomew offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic “Pinnacle Bay” you will have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114 m/375 ft).
• Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains. The summit trail is also ideal for witnessing how scanty pioneer vegetation, such as lava cactus, struggles to take root in the bare virgin lava fields.
• PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)
• The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling fields seem to be out of this planet, therefore this island is very popular among photographers and geologists. The last eruption here occurred in 1897, and covered the bay with Pahoehoe lava flows, which are characterized by smooth, gently undulating, or broadly hummocky surfaces.
• The beach nearby has clear, shallow waters that invite to snorkel, and if you venture to deeper waters, generous marine life can be found (like some Galapagos penguins on the rocks!). Moreover, Pacific green turtles, whitetip reef sharks (careless about humans), Galapagos sea lions, and rays are likely to make an appearance.
• DAY 6 - Tuesday
• AM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
• Dragon Hill hosts two key-species that are not too commonly distributed throughout the islands: Galapagos land iguanas and American flamingos. You will climb a hill with giant opuntia cacti where these animals feed and breed.
• This is a very photogenic spot as well, with breathtaking panoramas over the bay and towards an intriguing steep volcanic spout of red lava that overlooks the area. Dragon Hill has become popular because of its picturesque saline lagoons behind the beach, which contain minerals, algae and shrimp that attract abundance of seabirds. 
• PM - North Seymour
• Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and therefore is generally flat and strewn with boulders.
• There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing
• DAY 7 - Wednesday
• AM - Bachas Beach (Baltra)
• Your last visit is to Bachas. Two conjunct beaches, with soft white sand that makes it a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. There is a small brackish water lagoon behind the first beach, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The second beach is longer, and it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used this Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel. 
• Now you will be transferred from Baltra to the dock in Puerto Ayora. 

[See: Galapagos Dive Travel Guide]

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Other Information

Boat Specifications

• Year built: 2008
• Year renovated: 2023
• Length: 43m / 140ft
• Beam: 8m / 26ft
• Passengers: 16
• Number of cabins: 9
• Crew: 10 + 2 naturalists
• Tenders: 2 Zodiacs

Practical Information

• Time Zone: UTC-6
• Local Currency: USD (U.S. dollar)
• Language Spoken: English and Spanish
• Electricity: 110 and 220 volt
• Payment Onboard: Cash and credit card

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Underwater Gallery 

Coming Soon! 

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