Galapagos Spectacular Hammerhead; Manta; Mola And Marine Iguana Trip 2026
Shark Encounters
Free Photo Workshops
Pelagic Encounters
Off the Beaten Track
Why Join This Trip
Incredible itinerary delivers non-stop schooling hammerheads, giant manta rays, mola molas, and feeding marine iguanas - plus eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, penguins, and giant tortoises.
Special plans are made to maximize time with the iguanas and mola mola
This is a must-do best of the best trip, at the perfect time of the year
Our best and most popular custom Galapagos marine life itinerary
Includes free photo workshops from Nirupam Nigam
Unique 10-night itinerary also maximizes time at the world’s the best shark sites
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure
25% discount on rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Trip overview
Trip Overview
"I have put together an epic trip to the Galapagos, where we will help people get incredible photos of hammerhead sharks, mantas, penguins and more. I have picked a boat with the best possible itinerary for this purpose at the best time of year - this will truly be a trip of a lifetime."- Scott Gietler
The unique and isolated islands of the Galapagos are home to truly extraordinary creatures: Schooling hammerheads and a large variety of other sharks, mantas, sea turtles, and sea lions, as well as endemic species such as penguins, flightless cormorants, and extensive schools of fish.
Scott has done extensive research to choose the best possible time of year and route for this trip. He will be making sure photographers and non-photographers alike have an incredible trip.
The Galapagos Master is a first-class yacht with a capacity for just 16 divers. Its spacious cabins and well-designed dive amenities ensure a comfortable and relaxing trip. A spacious indoor lounge boasts cushioned bench seating and a plasma screen for photo viewing, and there is an indoor camera set-up station with numerous charging points and storage drawers situated to the rear, providing ample room for a full photography charter group. Further camera preparation areas can be found on the rear deck next to the dive deck.
Read reviews on diving Galapagos here.
Marine Life To Photograph
Thanks to their extreme isolation, the Galapagos Islands have some of the most unique marine life on the planet. Here are just a few examples of marine life you're likely to see: dolphins, sea lions, penguins, turtles, marlin and large schools of fish, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, eels, and manta rays. This is a wide-angle photographer's paradise, but don't leave the macro lens at home: frogfish, octopus, seahorses, nudibranchs and other small subjects are found at various dive sites.
Trip Schedule
The itinerary can be variable and will be planned according to the direction of the trip leader and cruise director on board. They will have a good idea at that time of the conditions at the various locations.
Diving Conditions
The trip takes place during the warm season in the Galapagos, with the highest water and air temperatures. We may experience afternoon rain showers, but the sun shines again after the rain.
Water temperature is 21-30C (70-86F) with some cooler thermoclines at depth. The northern islands are generally warmer. Visibility stays at an excellent 12 to 33 meters (40-100 feet).
Diving in the Galapagos can involve strong currents and surge, therefore divers should hold a minimum certification of Advanced Open Water with 50 logged dives.
Trip Inclusions
Accommodations onboard Galapagos Master, double occupancy
All meals and snacks throughout the cruise
FREE daily photo workshops and tutorials
Coffee from the espresso machine, tea, fruit juice, and soft drinks
Land-based tours
Airport transfers
Trip Exclusions
Galapagos National Park fee ($200 cash, paid upon arrival in San Cristobal)
Ingala Transit Card ($20 payable at Guayaquil International Airport)
Nitrox ($225 cash, payable onboard)
Airfare, additional transfers, and hotels
Alcoholic beverages
Equipment/computer/underwater torch rental
Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
Fuel surcharge
Gratuity
Accommodation
About The Galapagos Master
The new Galapagos Master liveaboard used to be the "Deep Blue" - a very well-laid out boat. The Master Liveaboard fleet, owned by the Siren Fleet (WWDS), has refitted the boat with new engines, new compressors, new generators, new water-makers, individual air-con, an entertainment system in each room, a dedicated camera station, new dive gear for rent, and Nautilus lifelines, along with many other small improvements.
Read the report on our previous Galapagos trip and great reviews of the Galapagos Master!
Trip Price
Trip starts from $10,400 per person.
Galapagos Master Lower Deck Cabin
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Wifi (surcharge)
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$10,400
per person
Galapagos Master Upper Deck Cabin
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Wifi (surcharge)
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$10,550
per person
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $800 to book your spot
- Payment 2: $2,400 due 15 February 2025
- Payment 3: $4,000 due 15 August 2025
- Balance: due 15 November 2025
Extend your trip
Trip Leader
Nirupam Nigam
Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo & Video - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head.
You can get in touch with him at nirupam@uwphotographyguide.com or through his website www.photosfromthesea.com.
Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
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