TRAVEL SPECIAL
RAbove : Galapagos bullhead shark at Punta Vicente Roca
WAbove right : BSAC ' s Sophie Rennie meets a Galapagos sealion
SBelow : Scalloped hammerhead portrait , Wolf Island
Essentials
GETTING THERE : The initial dilemma is whether to overnight at the Ecuadorian capital , Quito or the coastal city of Guayaquil . There ’ s more to see around Quito , but flights can be delayed due to fog . I flew to Guayaquil via Madrid on Iberia and its partner airline Latam . You overnight on the Ecuadorian mainland , then there ’ s a short flight to Galapagos the following morning . Budget around £ 1,000 for the flights . WHEN TO GO : The best time to go is August to November , when there are whale sharks in the north ( I went in February ). There are two seasons : the wet season from January through June , and the dry season from July through December , but the diving is excellent year-round . WETSUITS : Water temperatures fluctuate by site . During the wet season you can expect 20-27 ° C , while during the dry season it ’ s more like 19-23 ° C . The sites in the south are the coldest , while Darwin and Wolf are a few degrees warmer . A 7mm with hood and gloves is ideal for most . Gloves are essential , as you will often be gripping jagged volcanic rock . LIVEABOARD : M / V Galapagos Sky info @ galapagossky . com ( 305 ) 262-3483 . Deluxe cabins are $ 5,895 per person . Master cabins are $ 6,095 per person . TOUR OPERATOR : Dive Worldwide offers a week on Galapagos Sky from £ 6,395 per person , including seven nights in a deluxe cabin . Price includes all flights from the UK , transfers and Guayaquil accommodation . Web : diveworldwide . com Tel : 01962 302087 . HOTELS IN ECUADOR : I recommend the Holiday Inn at Guayaquil Airport for arrival . It ’ s so close you can wheel your luggage there . For variety on the way back , try the Unipark Hotel , www . uniparkhotel . com located across a square from Guayaquil ’ s cathedral .
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