Galapagos Aggressor ISan Cristobal

The Aggressor Fleet operates 2 boats in the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Aggressor I & II are identical 28-meter-long steel ships, each equipped with 7 comfortable double cabins for up to 14 guests. They offer identical excursions, regular 7 night long trips including 5 ½ days of diving to the Galapagos Islands. All excursions include diving at Wolf and Darwin Islands. Galapagos Aggressor I is a very comfortable dive boat.

Scheduled excursions always start and finish in San Cristobal. The ship dock is reached in a short 5-10 minute bus ride from the airport in San Christobal.

Galapagos Aggressor is fully air-conditioned and there is a spacious lounge with a separate dining areas. An AV system, e-mail and telephone service are available. Meals are served at the table. Beverages (including local alcoholic beer and wine) are included in the excursion price.

The ship has two sun decks (with partial sun protection) and the deck chairs are ideal for those who love to sunbathe. The Jacuzzi invites you to relax on board. Outdoor showers are available on the spacious dive deck. There is a large dive platform which features separate rinse sinks for equipment and cameras and two camera tables. The boat's technical and electronic equipment meet the latest safety standards. Two dinghies are available on board the Galapagos Aggressor.

All cabins contain individually controlled air conditioning, a TV / DVD player, hairdryer and comfortable en-suite bathroom.

The 4 deluxe double cabins are located on the lower deck of the ship and have 2 single beds with a porthole window. The 3 master suite cabins are in the upper deck. They each have single beds which can be converted to a double bed, as well as a large window for great views.

A maximum of three dives will be offered daily. Two dives in the morning and one in the afternoon. Under current National Parks guidelines, no night dives are allowed by any vessels within the Galapagos National Park.

Dives are mostly conducted from the ship's dinghies. On board the ship rental equipment is available (must be booked in advance), 12-litre aluminum tanks with INT-adapters. Nitrox is available for an additional charge.

The excursions are designed for intermediate and advanced divers. Dives are conducted in small groups with a detailed briefing beforehand. The waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands are quite cool. From December to May: 21°-27°C (70°-80°F) and from June to November 15°-23°C (60°-75°F). It is advisable if you bring at least a 5mm - 7mm wetsuit (semidry) with hood, boots and gloves. If you have, bring a dry suit.

The following amazing dive areas will be visited (weather permitting) as part of the excursions:

Wolf and Darwin Islands: you may see hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, Galapagos sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, green and hawksbill turtles. Another attraction for sure are the fur seals, jacks, scorpionfish and dolphines. Perhaps even a whaleshark around Darwin Islands. Expect 1 to 3 knots currents!

Santiago Island: dive with eagle rays, sea lions, green turtles and whitetip sharks. Also seahorses and frog fish are spotted here often. Santa Cruz Island: dive with Galapagos sharks, whitetip sharks, manta rays, turtles, sea lions. Currents are strong here too, 1 to 2 knots.

The Galapagos Aggressor I & II are offering a new itinerary from 2011. The Galapagos National Park regulations require companies with permits to choose either land excursions or diving. (There are no permits available offering both).

Diving at Roca Redonda and Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) has been added on the new itinerary for 2011 cruises. The 2012 itineraries will also include diving at Pinta Island. Galapagos Aggressor continues to offer dives at Cousins Rock and Bartolome Island. There will be no more diving at Gordon Rocks and Seymour Island due to park regulations.

Thursday: PM: Boarding San Cristobal. Welcome, briefing, and Check Out Dive Isla Lobos.

Friday: AM: Bartolome Punta. PM: Cousins Rock.

Saturday: AM:& PM: diving at Wolf Island.

Sunday: AM & PM: Diving at Darwin Island.

Monday: AM: Darwin (alternative from January to May. AM: Roca Redonda, PM: Punta Vicente Roca). PM: Diving at Wolf Island

Tuesday: AM: Diving at Darwin Island (alternative from January to May. AM: Cabo Marshall, PM: Cabo Marshall). PM: Diving at Punta Vicente Roca.

Wednesday: Wednesday morning the yachts will moor in Itabaca Chanel, Santa Cruz where guests will disembark after breakfast by panga at 8 am to shore. A private bus will take everyone for a tour to see the beautiful Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. This will include Los Gemelos (The Twins) that are two enormous sinkholes; Scalesia Forest for a scenic view over Santa Cruz, a Tortoise Reserve to see giant tortoises, and Lava Tubes. The tour will then arrive in the quaint town of Puerto Ayora where guests will have lunch at a local restaurant of their choice (the only meal not included in the cruise), time for shopping and an optional visit to the tortoise-breeding center Fausto Llerena and Charles Darwin Research Station.

Thursday: Thursday morning after a full breakfast, check out is at 8 AM then departure for the San Cristobal airport. The same bus will take guests back to the Galapagos Aggressors, anchored in Punta Carrion at approximately 4 pm to arrive in time for a farewell cocktail party, dinner aboard, and then travel back to San Cristobal.

The Galapagos Aggressor I is a very comfortable liveaboard vessel, good service and high standard.