2022 Galapagos Underwater photo workshop

Join trip leader Mark Strickland for this perfectly crafted 10-night Galapagos liveaboard itinerary. We have carefully selected the best possible time of year when conditions are ideal for hammerheads, marine iguanas, Galapagos sharks, penguins, mantas, batfish, seahorses, and much more. With 30 dives, plus FREE daily underwater photography workshops, you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience. When you’re not diving, relax aboard the luxury Galapagos Master, unwind in your spacious cabin, or enjoy the view from the sun deck. Plus, we have included 3 unforgettable land-based tours and 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo.

Why Join this trip?

• Excellent chances for encountering marine iguanas and hammerhead sharks
• FREE daily photo workshops 
• 30 dives in all throughout the whole trip
• Great amenities and spacious cabins on a modern luxury liveaboard, the Galapagos Master
• 3 land-based tours
• Trip timed for best water temperatures and visibility
• Extra time at Darwin
• 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo

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Trip Overview

Bluewater Travel founder Scott Gietler calls this trip a trip of a lifetime. 

"I have put together an epic trip to the Galapagos, where we will help people get incredible photos of hammerhead sharks, mantas, marine iguanas, penguins and more. I have picked a boat with the best possible itinerary for this purpose at the best time of year - this will truly be a trip of a lifetime." 

The unique and isolated islands of the Galapagos are home to some uniquely marvelous creatures: Schooling hammerheads and a large variety of other sharks, mantas, sea turtles, and sea lions, as well as endemic species such as penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and extensive schools of fish.

Scott has done extensive research to choose the best possible time of year and route for this trip. He will be making sure photographers and non-photographers alike have an incredible trip.

The Galapagos Master is a first-class yacht with capacity for just 16 divers. Its spacious cabins and well-designed dive amenities ensure a comfortable and relaxing trip. A spacious indoor lounge boasts cushioned bench seating and a plasma screen for photo viewing, and there is an indoor camera set-up station with numerous charging points and storage drawers situated to the rear, providing ample room for a full photography charter group. Further camera preparation areas can be found on the rear deck next to the dive deck.

With this 10-day itinerary, guests will get up to 30 dives - which is a significant increase from the 20 dives included in most 7-day trips! 

Read the great reviews of the Galapagos Master and the reviews on diving Galapagos

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Marine Life to Photograph

Thanks to their extreme isolation, the Galapagos Islands have some of the most unique marine life on the planet. Here are just a few examples of marine life you're likely to see: dolphins, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, turtles, marlin and large schools of fish, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, eels, and manta rays. This is a wide-angle photographer's paradise, but don't leave the macro lens at home, since frogfish, octopus, seahorses, nudibranchs and other small subjects are found at various dive sites. 

Diving Conditions

The trip takes place during the warm season in the Galapagos, with the highest water and air temperatures. We may experience afternoon rain showers,  but the sun shines again after the rain.

Water temperature is 21-30C (70-86F) with some cooler thermoclines at depth. The northern islands are generally warmer. Visibility stays at an excellent 12 to 33 meters (40-100 feet).

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Inclusions

• Accommodations
• All meals and snacks throughout the cruise
• Coffee from the espresso machine, tea, fruit juice, and soft drinks
• Daily photo workshops
• Up to 30 dives
• Three land-based tours
• Airport transfers

Exclusions

• Park fee ($100 cash, paid upon arrival)
• Ingala Transit Card ($10 payable at Guayaquil International Airport)
• Nitrox ($200 for a 10-night trip - recommended!)
• Airfare, additional transfers, and hotels
• Alcoholic beverages
• Equipment/computer/underwater torch rental
• Gratuity
• Dive insurance
• Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan

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Trip Schedule

The itinerary can be variable and will be planned by the trip leader and cruise director on board. They'll have a good idea at that time of the conditions at the various locations.

Here's an example of a typical itinerary: 

• Monday: San Cristobal embarkation and checkout dive (1 dive)
• Tuesday: Morning, Carrion Point (2 dives). Afternoon, North Seymour (land visit).
• Wednesday: Darwin (4 dives)
• Thursday: Darwin (4 dives)
• Friday: Wolf (4 dives)
• Saturday: Wolf (2-4 dives)
• Sunday: Douglas Cape (3 dives)
• Monday: Vicente Roca Point/Marshall Cape (3 dives)
• Tuesday: Morning, Roca Redonda (2 dives). Afternoon, Albemarle Point (dive + land visit)
• Wednesday: Morning, Cousin Rock (2 dives). Afternoon, Charles Darwin Station (land visit)
• Thursday: San Cristobal disembarkation 

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About the Galapagos Master

The new Galapagos Master liveaboard used to be the "Deep Blue" and is a very well-laid out boat. The Master Liveaboard fleet, owned by the Siren Fleet (WWDS), has refitted the boat with new engines, new compressors, new generators, new water-makers, individual air-conditioning and an entertainment system in each room, a dedicated camera station, new dive gear for rent, and Nautilus lifelines, along with many other small but substantial improvements.

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ABOUT THE TRIP LEADER

Mark Strickland’s life-long interest in the sea has included over 10,000 dives and careers as a lifeguard, boat captain, and scuba instructor. His passion for underwater photography has led him to many top dive locales, including Virgin Islands, Australia, and Thailand, where he spent 17 years as Cruise Director on a series of liveaboards. Mark now resides in Ventura county, California.

An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several nudibranch species. He is the co-author and principal photographer for Lonely Planet’s award-winning book, “Diving and Snorkeling Thailand”, and his work appears in many magazines, books and displays around the world. Currently, Mark leads several dive trips each year to his favorite destinations, while working on a career-spanning large-format pictorial book.

Read more about Mark here.

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Flight Information

The trip will begin and end in San Cristobal. When the time comes (no sooner than 1 year before the date of departure) we can assist you with flight suggestions and booking. Guests will fly into Guayaquil International Airport (code GYE) or Quito (code UIO), then take one of several daily 1-hour flights to San Cristobal (code SCY). Embarkation begins on April 25th and is dependent upon flight arrivals but ideally at 13:00. We do recommend that guests arrive on the 24th and stay in a nearby hotel, although if you are tight on time it is still possible to arrive on the 7th and immediately board the boat. Disembarkation is at 08:30.

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Payment Schedule

• Deposit: $800
• Payment 2: $1,200 due on April 1, 2021
• Payment 3: $3,000 due October 15, 2021
• Final payment: January 15, 2022

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Photo Gallery 

Galapagos Photos & Video from a Previous Trip

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TRIP DOCUMENTATION

A resource of information for guests who have signed up for the trip.

10-Night Detailed Itinerary

Master Liveaboards Trip Information

Domestic Flight Schedule  - N.B. the prices quoted may not be accurate and are currently under revision. Please contact us for the latest flight prices.

Guyaquil Hotels

Quito Hotels

Bluewater Waiver