Out on the convention floor at DEMA Show 2019, our attention was snagged by the booth representing the M/V Galapagos Sky.
This liveaboard is owner-operated, rather than managed by an outside group, and the boat itself was purpose-built for scuba, not just retrofitted and repurposed.
With her dedicated dive deck and old-school style (think teak), she’s been cruising the area for about 30 years. There are four deluxe cabins, and four master cabins, all of which boast an en suite bathroom. Those bathrooms are stocked with eco-friendly toiletries so each of the sixteen guests can stay clean without sacrificing the health of the ecosystem they’ve come so far to see. There’s fine dining, and morning beverage service as well as a nightly turndown complete with a chocolate on your pillow.
As for diving, there are two hot showers on deck which is perfect for surface intervals. Nitrox is included in the price of the trip, and dive sites are reached by small panga boats. The itinerary is fixed, by government regulation, but that won’t stop you from seeing turtles, whale sharks, mola molas, Galapagos eels, red-lipped bat fish, hammerhead sharks and the famous marine iguanas. With water temperatures between 70-75°F (24-26°C), it sounds like a 3mm is all you’ll need. Be sure to bring your walking shoes for the three land excursions to Bartolome.
All of these amenities make this a hard trip to resist, but what really makes the M/V Galapagos Sky exceptional is their crew. Quike and Mike are consistently the highest-rated guides around, but to be honest, even the folks manning the booth were dedicated and enthusiastic.
If you’re interested in the M/V Galapagos Sky, or want to start planning a trip, check out their website and get your Darwin on.
