Trip Dates: June 12-21, 2026
Trip Leader: Clarence
Challenge Level: 🟠Med
Adventure Level: ⛰️MHT Adventure
Dive Support Level: 👸Concierge
In June, 12 MHT Travelers headed to the equator for one of the world’s most iconic dive destinations: the Galápagos Islands.
Led by Trip Leader Clarence, this coed adventure combined five incredible days of diving with wildlife encounters, island exploration, and the chance to experience everything that makes the Galápagos unlike anywhere else on Earth.
While the diving is what draws most people here, it’s everything between the dives that makes the Galápagos unforgettable.
Diving the Galápagos
The Galápagos is famous for one thing: big animals.
These islands sit where several ocean currents meet, creating nutrient-rich waters that support an incredible diversity of marine life. The diving can be challenging, with cooler water, strong currents, and surge, but those conditions are exactly what attract some of the ocean’s most spectacular wildlife.
Our group spent five days diving around the islands, and the marine life certainly delivered.
Highlights included:
- Bunches of hammerhead sharks
- Galápagos sharks
- White-tip reef sharks
- Black-tip reef sharks
- Giant oceanic manta rays
Watching groups of hammerheads effortlessly navigate the currents is one of those experiences that never gets old. Between dives, the excitement continued as dolphins played alongside the boats and curious sea lions entertained everyone during surface intervals.
The Galápagos rewards divers who are ready for adventure, and our group certainly was.
Wildlife Doesn’t Stop at the Surface
One of the things that makes the Galápagos so special is that the wildlife experience continues long after you climb out of the water.
Baby sea lions lounged on docks and beaches, completely unfazed by their human visitors. Blue-footed boobies posed along the shoreline, while dolphins frequently put on their own acrobatic performances during boat rides.
The trip began with one of the islands’ most famous residents: the giant Galápagos tortoise.
Our group visited a giant tortoise reserve, where these incredible animals wandered freely through the highlands. Some can live to nearly 180 years old and weigh over 600 pounds. One of our favourite fun facts? Despite their enormous size, giant tortoises can actually float if they find themselves in the ocean.
Later in the week, we also visited the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we learned about ongoing conservation efforts and met some of the islands’ youngest tortoises.
Exploring the Islands
Because this was a land-based trip, we had the opportunity to experience much more than diving.
One afternoon, the group hiked to Las Grietas, a stunning volcanic crack filled with crystal-clear water. After several days of diving, it was the perfect place for a refreshing swim.
Evenings were spent wandering the waterfront, enjoying fresh seafood, watching the FIFA World Cup together, and simply soaking in island life.
One dinner quickly became a group favourite, with fresh scorpion fish at Bahía Mar earning rave reviews from everyone around the table.
Meanwhile, our cozy hotel quickly became a home away from home. The staff greeted us each afternoon with fresh-baked brownies and made sure we were fueled each morning with a generous breakfast before another day of adventure.
Extra Adventures
One of the great things about a land-based itinerary is the flexibility.
After five incredible dive days, travelers could choose how they wanted to spend their final day.
Some opted for another day of diving at Daphne Island.
Others explored Bartolomé Island, one of the most photographed landscapes in the Galápagos, where they were lucky enough to spot the elusive Galápagos penguin.
Another group visited North Seymour Island, famous for its spectacular birdlife, including frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and other endemic species.
No matter which adventure they chose, everyone left with unforgettable memories.
Why We Love the Galápagos
The Galápagos is more than a dive destination.
It is one of the few places in the world where every day feels like stepping into a nature documentary.
You can spend the morning drifting alongside schools of hammerheads, the afternoon hiking through volcanic landscapes, and the evening watching sea lions play along the docks while sharing dinner with new friends.
That combination of world-class diving, extraordinary wildlife, and unforgettable landscapes is what keeps divers coming back.
This group embraced every part of the experience. They arrived prepared for the challenging conditions, supported one another throughout the week, and made the most of every opportunity the islands had to offer.
The Galápagos is not an easy destination.
But for those ready for the adventure, it is one of the most rewarding dive trips on Earth.
How to Dive the Galapagos
The Galápagos is a true bucket list destination, but it is also one of the most advanced dive trips we offer. The more prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy every dive.
Before joining us, we recommend:
- Build Pacific diving experience. Panama, Colombia, and Cabo Pulmo are great places to get comfortable with currents and Pacific conditions.
- Become an independent diver. In the Galápagos, dive guides lead the dive, but you are expected to monitor your own depth, air supply, and no-decompression limit while staying close to your guide and buddy.
- Master your buoyancy. Your buoyancy should feel automatic so you can focus on the wildlife instead of your trim.
- Practice deploying a DSMB. You should be comfortable launching a surface marker buoy independently before the trip.
- Be physically ready. Expect multiple dives a day, currents, and active diving.
The best part? These are all skills you can build with us. Our dive training retreats and Pacific dive trips are designed to help divers gain the experience and confidence needed for destinations like the Galápagos.
We’ll be back in 2028, and we hope you’ll join us for the adventure of a lifetime. 🌊🦈
