M/V Tiburon Explorer - Galápagos Islands
The team on the M/V Tiburon Explorer really understands what it means to dive the Galápagos. They specialise in week-long liveaboard trips that hit all the iconic northern sites, perfect for experienced divers keen to see big pelagics. If you're looking for a serious itinerary that prioritises getting you in the water at the best times, this is a solid pick. We’d choose them for their well-oiled operation and focus on the diving, rather than fancy frills. Our pick for the Galápagos, the Tiburon Explorer is for divers who want to *dive*. Forget spa treatments; you’re here for the hammerheads and manta rays. We’ve found their itineraries hit Wolf and Darwin Islands at prime times, often meaning you’re in the water before other boats arrive. It’s a huge difference when you’re watching hundreds of scalloped hammerheads drift past in the current, rather than jostling with twenty other divers. We love that the dive deck is practical, not pretty – plenty of space to gear up and a solid rinse tank for cameras. Currents can be ripping here, so their briefings are thorough, and the dive guides are excellent at reading the water and keeping groups together. Expect early mornings, long dives, and a crew that genuinely loves these islands. It’s a proper dive boat, and we wouldn’t have it any other way for the Galápagos.
- Location
- Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
- Coordinates
- -0.453758, -90.265915
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.explorerventures.com/galapagos-liveaboard-diving/
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI Dive Boat [padi:29394]
- Address
- Puerto Ayora, 200350, Santa Cruz, Ecuador
Dive Sites Near M/V Tiburon Explorer
M/V Tiburon Explorer provides access to 15 dive sites in Galápagos Islands.
- Albany Rock
- Bainbridge Rocks
- Barranco Cave - 23-34m (cave)
- Bartolome and Cousins Rock - 30-40m
- Beagle Rocks - 12-60+m
- Cabo Marshall
- Café Scuba
- Cape Douglas
- Cape Marshall
- Carawa Shipwreck (wreck)
- Champion
- Champion Islet
- Champion Rock
- Channel (drift)
- Coamaño
Other Dive Centres in Galápagos Islands
Best Time to Dive in Galápagos Islands
The warmest water temperatures in Galápagos Islands occur in March, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 22.7°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 25.2°C
- February: 27.0°C
- March: 27.3°C
- April: 26.9°C
- May: 25.4°C
- June: 24.3°C
- July: 23.8°C
- August: 23.0°C
- September: 22.7°C
- October: 23.1°C
- November: 23.6°C
- December: 23.9°C
Marine Life in Galápagos Islands
Home to 141 recorded species including 108 reef fish, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 hard corals, 3 sea cucumbers.
Notable Marine Life
- Pronghorn Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Brown Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus fuscus) - Sea Cucumbers
- Green Spiny Lobster (Panulirus gracilis) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Mangrove (Mycteroperca olfax) - Reef Fish
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Sea Bass (Epinephelus labriformis) - Reef Fish
- Barracuda (Acanthocybium solandri) - Reef Fish
- Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) - Reef Fish
- Galapagos ringtail damselfish (Stegastes beebei) - Reef Fish
- Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Galápagos Islands
Based on average water temperature of 24.7°C, currents 34 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories