Dive Review of
Sky Dancer in
Galapagos Islands

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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