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Dive Review of Sky Dancer in
Galapagos Islands

Sky Dancer, Jun, 2003,

by pat mcguire, md, Mo, United States . Report 714.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments 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.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Utila, Grand Turk, San Salvador, Antigua, West Caicos, Provo, Cozumel
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas currents
Water Temp 65-75°F / 18-24°C Wetsuit Thickness 7
Water Visibility 30-80 Ft/ 9-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions 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
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks > 2
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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