Instant Reader Report
on Sky Dancer / [same] in
Galapagos Islands / [N/A] on
2003/06
by
pat mcguire, md , Mo, United States
Report Number 030911174732594

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 Utila, Grand Turk, San Salvador, Antigua, West Caicos, Provo, Cozumel 

Dive Conditions

Diving was from Zodiacs in strong currents.  There were 8-10 divers to each
boat who backrolled together and descended.  We stayed together with the
divemaster as a drift dive  

[None]  

Overall Rating

The Sky Dancer is a great boat in good shape.  We were on a special
itinerary allowing 4 days at Wolf and Darwin on a 7 day trip.  We did
check out dives in Los Lobos with sea lions and snorkeled with penguins
before making the 12 hour crossing to Wolf Island.  Conditions there were
challenging- heavy currents, surge and cold(65degree)  water temp. The
divemasters used reef hooks- which I would do next time. We hung on the
rocks and watched the superhighway of pelagics pass- hundreds of
hammerheads, mantas, galapagos sharks, eels.  Conditions at Darwin were
better, the water was warmer, but I still used a 7mm  suit, vest and hood.
 The dive site was the same for each of 4 dives per day for the 3 days- the
base of Darwin's arch. We dove from Zodiacs with experienced drivers who
dropped us together with a backroll into the water.  The group of 8-10
divers would descend to the platform to hang on in the current and wait
for the whalesharks.  One dive the zodiac captain dropped us on top of a
whaleshark! If the whaleshrk didn't come after about 10 min. the
divemaster would signal to leave the platform and we drifted with  the
current until we saw one.  In 3 days and 12 dives at Darwin between the 2
Zodiacs there were 18 sightings, including dives in which we would see 2
whalesharks.  One dive we saw a large whaleshark during the safety stop @
15ft.  Also hundreds of hammerheads- we joked that we had to push the
hammerheads out of the way to see the whalesharks!  The crew was great,
the boat was clean and nice, the food good.  After each the dive the crew
would take your gear to prepare for the next dive, including rinsing and
hanging our wetsuits.  Someone always had warm towels, snacks, and hot
chocolate or tea ready as we came aboard.  There  are some land tours, to
see the turtles, sea lions, bird life. Most days we were offered 4 dives,
and one day a night dive was offered for 5 total, but conditions were not
good for night dives- ie current.  A great trip if you like big animals. 
My husband and I have already signed up to go back June 2004.  This has to
be amoung the best diving in the world!  The crew and 12 other divers on
board were great. This may not be a trip for begining divers because of
the current and cool waters.

 

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