Galapagos Islands Adventure: Exploring Hammerheads, Mantas, Mola, and Marine Iguanas in 2026

Galapagos Mind-Blowing Hammerhead, Manta, Mola and Marine Iguana Extravaganza 2026

Swim with the Biggest – and Cutest – Fish in the Sea!

Get ready for an unparalleled underwater adventure that will have you wondering if you've been transported to another world. Join us on our stunning 10-night trip to the enchanting Galapagos Islands, where hammerheads, mantas, penguins, batfish, seahorses, Galapagos sharks – oh, and don't forget the giant tortoises and playful sea lions – await your arrival. And let's not forget the icing on the cake: the magnificent ocean sunfish, or Mola molas!

Unforgettable 10-night itinerary teeming with non-stop schooling hammerheads, graceful manta rays, floating ocean sunfish, mouthwatering marine iguanas, plus eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, penguins, and enormous tortoises.
Special emphasis on maximizing your time with marine iguanas and ocean sunfish, ensuring you won't miss a single minute of excitement.
This trip should be at the top of your bucket list, and the ideal time to experience it couldn't be better.
Your passport to the very best of the Galapagos marine life – handcrafted exclusively for you!
Includes a complimentary photography workshop with Nirupam Nigam, renowned underwater photographer and expert dive guide.
Joining forces with the best itinerary and finest fleet – the impressive Galapagos Master – will make this a journey like no other.
Fully refundable deposit until a whopping 18 months before departure.

Mark Your Calendars!

Dates: May 7 – 17, 2026
Duration: 10 Enthralling Nights

Cabin Options:

Lower Deck Cabin - Share the magic with a friend (double occupancy): $10,400
Upper Deck Cabin - Upgrade for extra comfort and luxury (double occupancy): $10,550

Ready to Join the Party?

A Moment with Scott…

Welcome to a world brimming with life, and get ready to explore the extraordinary islands of the Galapagos. From the extraordinary shark populations to the endemic penguins, flightless cormorants, and vast schools of fish – there's no doubt you're in for the underwater adventure of a lifetime!

Did You Know?A Bluewater group trip led by Mark Strickland in 2022 captured photos of cetaceans, sea lions, marine iguanas, and other spectacular marine life[8].

Scott has extensively researched to find the best possible time of year and route for this trip. He promises an incredible experience for both photographers and non-photographers alike.

Sink, Swim, and Snap Aboard the Galapagos Master

The Galapagos Master is a top-tier yacht, designed to accommodate just 16 divers. Its spacious cabins and dive amenities assure a comfortable and leisurely journey[9]. The large indoor lounge boasts cushioned bench seating, a plasma screen for photo viewing, and an indoor camera station with numerous charging points and storage drawers. Further camera preparation areas can be found on the rear deck next to the dive deck[10].

Wanna Read More?- Learn about diving in the Galapagos by checking out these reviews[9].

Life on the Left – What to Photograph

Thanks to the Galapagos Islands' isolation, it houses some of the most unique marine ecosystems on the planet. Here, you'll encounter:

Dolphins
Sea lions
Penguins and flightless cormorants
Sea turtles
Marlin and large schools of fish
Silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, and reef sharks
Hammerhead sharks
Eels
Manta rays

This wide-angle photographer's paradise offers ample areas to explore, so don't forget to bring your macro lens. Froggies, octopuses, seahorses, nudibranchs, and other tiny critters can lurk in the depths[6].

Take the Plunge – Dive Conditions

Prepare yourself for a waterworld wonderland during this trip. The itinerary takes place during the warm season in the Galapagos, with temperatures averaging between 70°F and 86°F (21°C – 30°C)[7].

Expect the clearest waters between 40 feet and 100 feet (12m – 33m) for those depth-defying photo ops. Watch out for afternoon rain showers, but don't worry – the sun is sure to come out again.

In a Nutshell

Due to the islands' isolation, you'll find some of the most unique marine life on the planet – like dolphins, sea lions, penguins, turtles, marlin, a plethora of shark species, and more!
This wide-angle photographer's paradise hosts a variety of marine life – don't forget your macro lens.
Trip water temperatures range from 70°F to 86°F (21°C – 30°C) with excellent visibility between 40 feet and 100 feet (12m – 33m).
Strong currents and surge may make certain dives challenging, so ensure you hold a minimum certification of Advanced Open Water with 50 completed dives[6].

Extras

Inclusions:

Boarding in a Lower Deck cabin (double occupancy)
All meals and snacks throughout the cruise
FREE daily photography workshops and tutorials
Coffee, tea, fruit juice, and soft drinks
Land-based tours
Airport transfers

Exclusions:

Galapagos National Park fee ($200 cash, paid at arrival in San Cristobal)
Ingala Transit Card ($20, payable at Guayaquil International Airport)
Nitrox ($225 cash, to be paid onboard)
Airfare, additional transfers, and hotels
Alcoholic beverages
Equipment/computer/underwater torch rental
Dive insurance
Fuel surcharge
Gratuity

Picture-Perfect Trip, Not Quite So Instructional

This dive trip features photo support led by an experienced photographer, available for ad-hoc guidance on various photography elements. While this trip promises underwater photo opportunities galore, there are no formal tutorials or instructional workshops planned[6].

Want more targeted training? Check out Bluewater's Photography Workshops for a more in-depth experience!

Join Us for the Ultimate Galapagos Extravaganza 2026

Who's the captain of this incredible journey? Nirupam Nigam, a dedicated underwater photographer, fisheries scientist, Bluewater Dive Travel Editor-in-Chief, and Chief Marketing Officer[5]. From Los Angeles, Nirupam discovered his passion for the ocean and underwater photography during his adolescence in Southern California's Channel Islands[5]. He earned degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology before spending several years as a fisheries observer on fishing vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific, collecting data for NOAA[5].

When not at sea, Nirupam travels the globe with his wife and camera in tow. You can catch him online on the “Underwater Photography Guide” or at www.photosfromthesea.com[5].

Let's Cash In – Payment Schedule

Deposit: $800
Payment 2: $2,400 – Due February 15, 2025
Payment 3: $4,000 – Due August 15, 2025
Final Payment: Due November 15, 2025

Bottom Line – Any Questions? Want to Book?

Call us today at 1-310-915-6677 or email us at [email protected]. Better yet, drop by in person at our office: 3961 Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 206, Culver City, CA 90230 – and start planning your fantastic voyage!

Swim alongside the biggest fish in the sea, including hammerheads, mantas, and Mola molas, during an unparalleled 10-night trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2026. This expedition offers a chance to encounter endemic wildlife such as penguins, flightless cormorants, sea turtles, and giant tortoises. Join Nirupam Nigam, an expert underwater photographer, for a complimentary photography workshop aboard the state-of-the-art Galapagos Master.

Sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime underwater adventure and spend time with marine iguanas, ocean sunfish, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and more exotic critters. This trip, tailored for both photographers and non-photographers, offers extraordinary schooling hammerheads, graceful manta rays, and floating ocean sunfish.

The Galapagos Master yacht, designed for just 16 divers, guarantees a comfortable journey with spacious cabins and top-notch dive amenities. Dive in waters teeming with life, featuring sharks, eels, manta rays, and a variety of schools of fish. Don't forget to bring your macro lens to capture tiny creatures like froggies, octopuses, seahorses, and nudibranchs.

Dive conditions during the warm season in the Galapagos promise clear waters and excellent visibility, with temperatures ranging from 70°F to 86°F (21°C – 30°C). Strong currents and surge may make certain dives challenging, so a minimum certification of Advanced Open Water with 50 completed dives is required.

The trip includes all meals, snacks, photography workshops, and land-based tours, with optional extras like Nitrox, equipment rentals, and dive insurance available. A deposit of $800 is required to secure your spot, followed by additional payments in 2025.

Call, email, or visit Bluewater Dive Travel's office to book your spot for the Galapagos Extravaganza 2026 and embark on a journey beyond compare.

Galapagos Islands Adventure: Exploring Hammerheads, Mantas, Mola, and Marine Iguanas in 2026