Calipso
Liveaboard · Galápagos
Calipso: Exploring the Galápagos' unique marine biodiversity aboard a 35.7-meter liveaboard.
About This Vessel
Calipso is a boutique liveaboard cruising the Galápagos region. It hosts up to 16 divers on board.
The 35.7-meter Calipso provides dive expeditions through the Galápagos, accommodating 16 guests across 8 cabins. The Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution, forged by volcanic fire and isolated by vast oceanic distances. This unique geography, where the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current collides with warmer equatorial waters, creates an explosion of life found nowhere else on e…
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures…
Onboard Amenities
Dining & Beverages
Meals combine international cuisine with Ecuadorian specialities, served buffet-style. Freshly prepared snacks are available after each dive. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Dive Equipment & Setup
Dive Area & Sites
The Galápagos Islands represent one of the most thrilling diving destinations on Earth, where powerful oceanic currents converge to create an underwater ecosystem unlike any other. Divers regularly encounter schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks numbering in the hundreds, whale sharks during the cooler season from June to November, and playful Galápagos sea lions that often join divers underwater. Marine iguanas — found nowhere else on the planet — graze on algae along the rocky shallows, while giant manta rays, golden rays, and green sea turtles cruise through the nutrient-rich waters. The volcanic landscape continues beneath the surface with dramatic rock arches, steep walls, and pinnacles attracting dense aggregations of pelagic fish. Diving here is generally suited to experienced divers due to strong currents and cooler water temperatures ranging from 16°C to 24°C.
Important Information
What's Included
Constant availability of tea, coffee, and water · Selection of fruit juices
Not Included & Local Fees
National Park fees are not included and vary from 100 to 200 USD, depending on citizenship. · Fees for bringing own liquor/wine
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers to and from the vessel are included in your booking.
Insurance Recommendation
We strongly recommend all guests to purchase comprehensive dive accident insurance and trip cancellation insurance before departure. Dive accident insurance covers medical treatment, hyperbaric chamber costs, and emergency evacuation in the event of a diving incident. Trip cancellation insurance protects your financial investment — not only if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to personal illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances, but also if the trip is postponed or cancelled by the operator due to severe weather, technical issues, or other operational reasons. In the unlikely event of operator insolvency, cancellation insurance can also help recover your payments. Please ensure your policies are valid for the entire duration of your trip and cover the planned activities.
Rental Gear
A comprehensive range of rental equipment is available for hire, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, and dive computers. Please indicate your requirements at the time of booking. Nitrox is not available onboard.
Accommodation
Upper Deck Cabins
Double or Twin (convertible) • Upper Deck • 12 m²
Aboard the Calipso, discover the inviting Upper Deck Cabins. These comfortable spaces, spanning 11 m² (120 sq. ft.) to 13 m² (140 sq. ft.), offer adaptable double beds, convertible to a single. Each cabin boasts panoramic windows for stunning vistas, complemented by an additional window in the en-suite bathroom, featuring hot water showers. Modern amenities include personalized climate control, an Apple TV with movies and music, a hairdryer, a safety deposit box, and convenient USB plugs. Laminate flooring ensures an allergen-free environment, while two life jackets and a sprinkler system are provided for safety.
Main Deck Cabins
Twin • Main Deck • 11 m²
Indulge in the flexible comfort of the Calipso's Main Deck Cabins, where a double bed easily transforms into twin beds to suit your needs. Gaze out at breathtaking vistas through expansive panoramic windows, complemented by an additional window in your private ensuite bathroom. These meticulously crafted cabins, spanning 11-13 square meters (120-140 square feet), offer personalized retreats. Enjoy refreshing hot water showers and control your cabin's climate with individual air conditioning. Apple TV provides a wide selection of movies and music for your entertainment. Each cabin is equipped with a hairdryer, a safety deposit box, and convenient USB charging ports. Non-allergenic laminate flooring contributes to a pristine atmosphere. For your safety, two life jackets and a sprinkler system are installed in every cabin.
Booking & Travel FAQ
How does the booking process work?
Select a cabin and departure on Calipso, and we send a real-time inquiry to the operator. After availability is confirmed, you receive a booking confirmation by email and secure your spot with a deposit.
When do I need to pay?
A deposit (usually 25-35%) is due upon confirmation. The remaining balance is typically due 4-8 weeks before departure, depending on the operator.
What documents will I receive?
After your final payment, you'll receive a travel voucher with meeting point, embarkation time, airport transfer details, packing tips, and your full itinerary.
How do I get to the boat?
Most liveaboards depart from a designated marina. Many operators offer airport pickup and transfers — details are in your voucher. We recommend arriving one day before departure.
What certifications do I need?
A valid dive certification (e.g. PADI Open Water), dive insurance, and a valid passport. Some destinations require additional permits or visas — we inform you during booking.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Cancellation terms vary by operator and are in your confirmation. Generally, the earlier you cancel the higher the refund. Changes depend on availability — contact us as soon as possible.
Vessel Technical Overview
Vessel Specifications
Navigation & Safety Systems
What guests say online
How is this overall rating calculated?
The headline score is the simple average of the category scores shown below (Boat, Crew, Value, Diving, Dive sites, etc.), each weighted equally. The review count reflects how many source reviews back the underlying analysis. When no category breakdown is available for a vessel, the headline falls back to the guest-weighted average across source platforms.
Guests consistently praise the Calipso as a well-maintained, comfortable liveaboard offering exceptional diving experiences in the Galápagos. The vessel and its crew provide a highly enjoyable trip, despite being an older boat.
- +Amazing diving with abundant marine life like hammerheads and whale sharks
- +Exceptional and attentive crew and guides
- +Spacious, clean, and comfortable cabins
- +Good food with variety
Based on approximately 182 reviews. Aggregated rating based on reviews from multiple independent dive travel and operator platforms as well as on ratings from our customers. Public statements from diving forums and community platforms may also be incorporated as text into the highlighted praises and critiques. Ratings are independently calculated and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the source platforms.
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Book your unforgettable diving adventure aboard the Calipso