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Yugen Earthside connects mindful travelers to sustainable trips around the world. Carbon removals included with each booking!

Connecting mindful travelers to responsible experiences around the world.

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

We proudly partner with wanderwell, a B-Corp-certified travel insurance agency and 1% for the Planet member.

Request a FREE quote for Trip Protection or Travel Medical coverage.

Citizen science scuba dives are an incredible, educational, and sustainable way to view marine life! Dive alongside scientists & researchers to explore under the sea.

Sustainable Citizen Science Scuba Dives | Yugen Earthside

Discover self-guided, privately-guided, & small group tours around the world. Our sustainable adventures are customizable, and include carbon removals with each booking!

Trips | Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Adventures

Spend 8 days on a small, liveaboard yacht scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands alongside marine biologists on this sustainable citizen science adventure!

[8 days] Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos | Yugen Earthside

Spend 8 days on a small, liveaboard yacht scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands alongside marine biologists on this sustainable citizen science adventure! 

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful locations on earth, and your dive trip here supports the Galapagos Whale Shark Project (which was featured in the BBC Blue Planet II series).

Marine biologists and divemasters will be on board to provide a life-changing experience, assistance, and educational guidance on endangered marine wildlife conservation as you explore these renowned scuba diving spots.

You will do 2-4 dives a day on this trip, for a total of 19-20 dives. There’s also the opportunity for a night dive. 

For every diver, the organization donates to the research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project. This team is studying the unique population of adult whale sharks in the Galapagos. Each scientist will provide you with extensive knowledge about whale sharks and will teach you at the same time how you as a diver can support the conservation of marine wildlife such as whale sharks, giant manta rays, sea turtles, other shark species, rays, molas, whales and other endangered animals – in the Galapagos and worldwide. You can also expect to learn about underwater photography while onboard (please note: you need to bring your own camera) and be taught about photography using what you have.

Highlands with giant tortoises (land excursion)

On this trip, you’ll spend very little time on land. The majority of the experience is on the yacht and underwater. You’ll visit islands that not all boats visit, including sites that primarily attract divers.

The yacht for your Galapagos eco dive liveaboard provides a unique and unforgettable experience, with the best service and diving that you could hope for. The boat has nine cabins with private bathrooms, air conditioning, electricity, and all that you may need to make your stay comfortable. Three meals a day are included, as well as ‘pre-breakfast’ and snacks between dives.

Please note: The famous Darwin's Arch rock formation collapsed on 17 May 2021 due to erosion; it now resembles two pillars instead of an arch and is being referred to as the “Pillars of Evolution.”

What is it Really Like?
Check out our blog post on Sustainable Scuba Diving in the Galapagos Islands for an even deeper look into what to expect.

Every year, only a few shark conservation dive departures are offered. These align with the best shark diving season and the best months to dive in the islands of the Galapagos (July – October). These conservation scuba dive trips frequently sell out; contact us today to secure your spot!

Galapagos National Park tax ($100 pp, cash only) - payable upon arrival at Galapagos Airport 

Transit Control Card ($20 pp, cash only) - payable in cash at Quito or Guayaquil Airport of departure for the Galapagos 

Personal equipment: Wetsuit, BCD (Buoyancy control device/jacket), regulator, booties, fins, mask, dive computer, gloves, hoods, dive light 

Liveaboard yacht accommodation for 7 nights/8 days 

Pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals

Transfers to/from the airport within the Galapagos Islands 

Accompaniment by the research project team

Photography instruction & practical advice 

Technical equipment: tanks, weights, weight belt.

A variety of lectures about the Galapagos Islands and the Galapagos Whale Shark Project 

Translation in Spanish, German, and French  

Prices of add-ons subject to change; confirm with our team before booking.

We not only care about our travelers, but we also care about the local communities and the environment. When you book a tour with us, you become an active collaborator of the local and international foundations we work with in order to do our part. Whether it is educating children on the coast of Ecuador, or helping out with conservation projects in the Galapagos, we care.


Environmental Initiatives
This trip takes travelers off the beaten path and avoids tourist "hot spots". The boats in this trip use water flow reducers. 
Clients travel with scientists to collect data that furthers our understanding of whale sharks and other marine wildlife. This helps us promote conservation through education and awareness. We specifically discuss with travelers how to act responsibly in this destination, and why that's important.

Economic Initiatives
The crew of the boat is all local people who are paid fair wages.
We support other local and international projects that provide jobs and assistance to local communities.


Sociocultural Initiatives
Travelers and locals will exchange knowledge with locals, have an opportunity to learn from one another, and gain a new perspective on their own environment.
We focus on serving locally-grown foods and locally-bought meat.

Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos

Spend 15 days on a small, liveaboard yacht scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands alongside marine biologists on this sustainable citizen science adventure! 

[15 days] Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos | Yugen Earthside

This unique and adventurous getaway gets you closer to science and animal life. It grants you the opportunity to enjoy the adventure of the Galapagos’ special underwater world. Come to America to explore Darwin’s Arch, Fernandina, and Isabela Islands, and other breathtaking places featuring endemic biodiversity. Enjoy whale watching, see dolphins playing, do night dives, and take hikes through volcanic landscapes.

Part of your trip fee supports the Galapagos Whale Shark Project, which was featured in the BBC Blue Planet II series.

Night dive opportunity in Punte Vicente Roca

Wolf Island: swim through cave entrances and walls

Fernandina Island (home to the world’s largest marine iguana colony)

Cape Douglas: cormorant and penguin watching

This experience will blow your mind away. Observing sharks and marine megafauna, and, perhaps, having a dolphin pass by overhead is something you do not get to experience every day. Huge schools of fish and other species that inhabit the coral-covered platform are to be sighted in the blue waters of this natural paradise. With a 15-day liveaboard dive experience, you will double your chance to see the big wildlife you are coming for!
The highlands of the Galapagos are as magnificent as their sea life. We will travel back in time to the formation of lava tubes, spatter cones, and the remains of two types of hardened lava. Prepare yourself to observe unique animals such as iguanas, birds, and the famous giant tortoises.
Photography instruction and practical advice about photography on land and underwater will take place directly onboard.

This scuba diving trip living amongst distinct animal species is an adventure that will be stamped in your heart forever!

What is it Really Like?
Check out our blog post on Sustainable Scuba Diving in the Galapagos Islands for an even deeper look into what to expect.

Please note that this itinerary is subject to approval by the National Park, which takes place in March of each year. The purpose of obtaining approval is to ensure that there is a limited number of guests present in the park on any given day. Therefore, the travel route can be subject to minor changes to comply with the park's regulations. 

Every year, only a few shark conservation dive departures are offered – sometimes, there is only one dive organized per year. The schedule is always designed to align with the best shark diving season and the best months to dive in the islands of the Galapagos in general (July – October). These trips frequently sell out so we encourage you to book early to reserve your spot. For the 15-day itinerary, there is only one departure planned for 2024, so contact us today if you’re interested in learning more!

Liveaboard yacht accommodation for 14 nights/15 days 

Fuel Surcharge, $150 per person is currently waived (other vessels still charge this amount)

We are a company specializing in diving trips and marine conservation. For every diver, the organization donates to the research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project. This team is studying the unique population of adult whale sharks in the Galapagos.

Environmental Initiatives
Clients travel with scientists to collect data that furthers our understanding of whale sharks and other marine wildlife. This helps us promote conservation through education and awareness. We specifically discuss with travelers how to act responsibly in this destination, and why that's important. Our team of scientists will teach you how as a diver you can support marine life conservation.

On our Eco Dive Tour, we will pay attention to how to travel economically responsibly and behave respectfully toward wildlife. The boat uses water flow reducers.

Socioeconomic Initiatives
The crew of the boat is all local people who are paid fair wages. Besides, we focus on serving locally-grown foods and locally-bought meat.


Scuba Diving

Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos

Citizen Science Scuba Diving in the Galapagos

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