THE TRIP

Galapagos Shark Diving in collaboration with The Galapagos Whale Shark Project would like to invite you on a SCUBA Dive Liveaboard with AMAZING WHALESHARK DIVING!

Dive with a Purpose - combine an incredible dive experience with research & conservation of Whale Sharks!

"I became more aware of how whale sharks had been exploited historically and also how industrial fishing both targeted and incidental was beginning to seriously affect certain populations. With this came the realisation that without baseline data and at least a rudimentary understanding of their life cycle there is no manner in which we can create the platform, legal and physical to protect them." - Jonathan R. Green

The Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR), which straddles the equator approximately 600 nautical miles from the coast of Ecuador, is one of the largest marine reserves in the world. Its protected waters extend 40 nautical miles from a baseline connecting the major islands covering a total area of 130,000 square kilometres of Pacific Ocean and featuring a dynamic mix of tropical and Antarctic currents and rich areas of upwelling. The  (GMR), contains an extraordinary range of biological communities, featuring such diverse organisms as penguins, fur seals, tropical corals, large schools of hammerhead sharks and the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, Rhincodon typus. 

Listed as Endangered in the IUCN 2016 Red List, Whale Sharks are threatened mainly by fishing activity. Traditionally hunted for their liver oil and for waterproofing wooden boats they are now widely sold for their characteristic white meat (referred to as “tofu shark” in Taiwan). Rapid reductions in numbers caught per unit effort have been seen in several areas where they have been fished including India and Taiwan, indicating that local populations are particularly susceptible to overfishing. Slow growth, late sexual maturation and potentially low reproductive rates mean that localised populations are unlikely to recover after collapse due to fishing.

Questions such as where they breed, where they give birth and where the young live for the first 3-5 years of life, are some of the questions the Galapagos Whale Shark Project has been trying to answer. The answers to these questions and more are necessary if we are to protect the species against the threats that face the future of all marine life.

Join the project on a seven-night / eight-day liveaboard into the Galapagos Marine Reserve, with local Guides & Dive Masters ( making the ration 1:4 divers) accompanied by the whale shark experts Jonathan R. Green, Simon J. Pierce, Sofia Green or Jenny Waack!  Although you won't be tagging or touching the whale sharks your help is needed to record the whale sharks with your photography. Each day there will be presentations, talks on, how the research is being used and what the data tells us. If you're unsure on photography the team was involved in the filming of David Attenborough's' Blue Planet II so there will be a comprehensive guide to what to look for and photograph.

Feel great that you're helping to support these majestic gentle creatures and looking to protect their future.

THIS WILL BE A DIVE LIVEABOARD EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER!

OUR MISSION - WHY WE LOVE WHAT WE DO

We love ...

• ... to offer a very special diving experience, with one goal - to promote the research & conservation of whale sharks, but with such an unbelievable experience you will be AMAZED! 

• ... to draw the world's attention to the endangered whale sharks & to provide detailed information on how everyone can help save the gentle giants of the oceans.

• … tell you & the world about the Galapagos Whale Shark research project. How you can make a direct positive contribution.

• … to show you how to become a Citizen Scientist & support research on many shark species.

• ... the research work &  we are happy that you through your support, you give us the opportunity to spend more time on the project, & more importantly the protection of whale Sharks.

Give back to nature and marine life! 

OUR OBJECTIVE

The overall objectives of the study are:

• At a local level, understand the importance of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) to whale sharks.

• At a regional level, increase our knowledge of whale shark migratory patterns and reproductive behaviour.

• At a global level, raise awareness of whale sharks, as ambassadors for sharks and marine conservation.

• Ascertain the feasibility of creating protected areas both on a regional and global level.

• Document the natural history using underwater video, diving and eventually by submersible.

In order to achieve these objectives, we aim to:

• Build the local capacity in the study of whale sharks, through the use of acoustic & satellite technology and collaborative analysis of results.

• Characterise the population abundance & social structure of whale sharks visiting the GMR using photo/video identification.

• Assess the seasonality of whale shark occurrence within the GMR with relation to environmental triggers such as changes in major currents.

• Determine the migratory movements taken by whale sharks in the Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor region by use of MiniPAT, SPOT and SPLASH

• Determine the occurrence of aggregations & reproductive behaviour, within and outside the GMR. 

• Raise local awareness of the importance of the GMR for migrating pelagic species using whale sharks as an example, with emphasis on schools.

• Raise global awareness of the importance of the oceans, as a finite resource and the basis for a healthy planet, that are being plundered and polluted.

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The Galápagos Islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a ‘melting pot’ of marine species. The ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the processes that formed the islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life – such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch – that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835.

Today the wildlife abounds with whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and Molas, and that's just under the water. With such diversity of wildlife, every day is a wonder!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Due to the remoteness, dive conditions & exclusive use of the vessel, the following terms will be applied.

A deposit will be required on booking to secure your spot. The departure dates are guaranteed to run, no minimum numbers to be reached.

DIVING REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of Advanced Open Water Diver
• 50 logged dives

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel Insurance & Dive Insurance is mandatory - Insurance must cover emergency evacuation & medical costs
• (Standard dive waiver & liability waiver will need to be signed on board. A PADI sample copy is here. Any medical questions with a yes MUST be accompanied by a doctors clearance as outlined in the document)

PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• A non-refundable deposit of 30% per person will be applied to secure your spot
• Full payment due 120 days before the departure date

COVID-19 Policy

The Galapagos Shark Diving Trip/ Team recommends that you have a clause in your travel policy that covers such future outbreaks, as there is NO COVID policy offered by the supplier. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• 364 to 120 days until departure loss of deposit
• 119 days or less from the scheduled departure date 100% cancellation fee ( full trip cost) is applied