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Dive Review of Estrella del Mar in
Galapagos Islands/Ecuador

Estrella del Mar, Nov, 2008,

by Gabriela Layi, HI, United States ( 1 report). Report 4557.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I am writing this for the benefit of divers who suffer from acute motion sickness. I was concerned that I would get sick, but wanted to do this trip very badly. The Galapagos is a must and the only place to see such an abundance of pelagic fish. We saw whale sharks on almost all the dives at Darwin & Wolf. I am so glad I made the trip and hope to return, hopefully soon. Nov-March is the calmest. I used a scopoderm patch plus took marizene twice a day and did fine. I did not feel drowsy. I was able to enjoy all the dives. The water was not as cold as I anticipated at Wolf & Darwin and the currents, well, there are strong currents, but manageable. I think it is important to get fit, since the diving is streneous. Just putting on the wetsuit took effort! Also, one gets cold after diving. Wished I had warmer clothes.
The panda drivers are very knowledgeable and were able to pick us up inmediately after we surfaced. Overall the staff and crew of Estrella del Mar was outstanding and I would not hesitate on going on this live aboard again. Also, I think we were lucky as we were all experienced divers. The other divers were a happy bunch, happy to be on the trip, diving with these magnificent creatures, so the camaraderie was tops, and that's what diving is all about.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Palau, Papua New Guinea, California, Canaries, Indonesia, New Zealand
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 64-77°F / 18-25°C Wetsuit Thickness 6
Water Visibility 40-50 Ft/ 12-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks > 2
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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