Know Before You Go

  “Give your family a trip that will leave them with inspirations and memories to last a life time” 

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos is one of the most exciting destinations in the world to dive or snorkel.  

Only in Galápagos will you come face to face with wildlife that has never developed a fear of people. Land Tours to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island to see tortoises, lava tubes, and pit craters.  Your kids will marvel at Blue-footed boobies, and the almost neon-orange and red Sally Lightfoot crabs.  This magical journey is available to families with kids from age 10 and up that are certified divers. 

Family week dates are July 7-14 and July 14-21 2012.
This is a family expedition to the land that time has forgotten, an unforgettable journey to Darwin and Wolf Islands.  You will have the opportunity to safely dive or snorkel with playful sea lions, wild dolphins, Whale Sharks, schools of Tuna, golden eagle rays and so much more.   Snorkel with marine iguanas, and marvel at Galápagos penguins.
 

Kids Sea Camp invites you aboard the MY Wolf Buddy, to experience your own private luxury yacht and crew for the entire week. Wolf Buddy is appointed with spacious suits that are a minimum of 160sq feet all with private bath.  Local Chefs prepare a first class dining experience for all and a specialized menu for family weeks.  Buddy Dive has paid attention to every detail for the comfort and safety of divers. Diving features 2 Zodiacs that will take you to dive and tour the volcanic isolated islets of the Galápagos to explore above and below. Our expedition is led by the Buddy Dive team of PADI Dive Instructors and Naturalists, (including an Underwater Specialist, a photographer, and Expedition Leader), providing a multitude of information, education and unmatched attention to your families safety in all that you’ll do.

WHERE ARE THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS?

The  Islands of Galapagos are found in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles west of Ecuador. Made famous by the studies of Charles Darwin that became his “Theory of Evolution,” the volcanic islands  of Galapagos have been declared a National Park of Ecuador and the second largest Marine Reserve in the world, with many wonders to discover, both on land and underwater. The Galapagos Islands National Park features an amazing diversity of indigenous animals, many endemic,which are unusually tame due to lack of predation and many years of protection. 

COMMUNICATIONS IN GALAPAGOS

The Buddy Dive Reservations Center and Galapagos Guayaquil are in constant communication. In the event of an emergency, family and friends may
contact you at either of these numbers: Cell 011-599-717-5080 or via email: info@buddydive.com (delay in travel and emergency only)

PASSPORTS & DOCUMENTATION

Visitors must have a current passport, (at least 6 months before expiration) adequate funds to support themselves and a return airline ticket to travel to Galapagos. It is the travelers’ responsibility to ensure they have the proper documentation to travel to the destination and return to their country. Please check with the appropriate consulate to ensure you have the proper documentation. Always check your passport and visa requirements. US citizens may go to the US Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for more information. Kids Sea Camp cannot assume responsibility for passengers not having correct documentation.

TAXES AND FEES
The following taxes and fees are charged during your trip to Galapagos. These must all be paid with cash.
$100 Galapagos Park Entry fee (cash only)
$42 Departure tax
$10 Galapagos Visitors Card (cash only)
12% Sales tax on all on board services
Onboard fees and charges can be paid in cash, Travelers Checks or credit card.

AIR TRANSPORTATION & PACKING

We recommend staying overnight in Guayaquil instead of Quito before flying to San Cristobal, Galapagos as the flight schedule allows you more time for check-in at the airport, lower priced domestic ticket, and a later flight than Quito. Due to Ecuadorian laws, inter island flight tickets must be picked up in Ecuador.

    
AIRLINE TRAVEL, WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS, GENERAL INFORMATION    ::::::::

Regularly scheduled flights to Ecuador are available on American, Continental, AeroGal, TACA, and Lan Chile Airlines. They depart from Miami,
New York, or Houston.  Please note that Continental only allows 2 checked bags for the return flights to the US.

On local flights,  AeroGal passengers  are allowed a carry on bag with weight limit of 22 lbs and one or two pieces of checked luggage, which is limited to 35 kg. (approx. 75 lbs) total. Luggage over 35 kg. is subject to an excess baggage fee.
(Information subject to change without notice)
To arrange your air travel and any hotel stays in Ecuador please complete the quick and easy booking form. You can send it back to us or send it directly to Buddy Dive reservations@buddydive.com

Year Round Quito – Guayaquil – San Cristobal
AeroGal (2K) #30 Quito – Guayaquil 10:15 am - 11:00 am
AeroGal (2K) #30 Guayaquil – San Cristobal 11:45 am - 12:40 pm
(no airplane change for those going from Quito to San Cristobal)

San Cristóbal – Guayaquil – Quito
AeroGal (2K) #31 San Cristóbal – Guayaquil 1:15 pm - 04:10 pm
AeroGal (2K) #31 Guayaquil – Quito 04:45 pm - 05:30 pm

Domestic Airfare Rates (not included in the Charter rate)
Airport Check in Time
AeroGal – San Cristobal departure Quito 8:30 am Guayaquil 10:00 am

Excess weight charge is 1% per kilo (approximately $2.50 USD per kilo) of the ticket value.

All flight times and information are subject to change without notice. Please contact Buddy Dive for up to date information, pricing and schedules.

CURRENCY, TIME ZONE, LANGUAGE
The U.S. dollar is Ecuador’s standard currency. Ecuador is in the same time zone, as Eastern Standard Time in the U.S.A. Daylight Savings Time, however, is not observed. There is a sales tax of 12% on all purchases in Ecuador. Spanish is the official language.
 

INSURANCE
We highly recommend each guest purchase comprehensive dive, accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance when your reservation is made.
Trip insurance will protect you from financial disappointment if you are prevented from making your scheduled trip. Insurance companies sell different layers
of insurance which you should fully research and decide what is right for you. Kids Sea Camp highly recommends DAN.

HEALTH
The Galapagos boats have first aid kits on board, including oxygen and defibrillators. Rough seas may be encountered during your trip, and we recommend you bring motion sickness medication. There is NO smoking allowed inside the boat or on the dive deck. Smoking is only permitted on the sun deck. No inoculations are required by Ecuador. However, if you are traveling to a third country, please check their health regulations. Both Guayaquil and the Galapagos are at sea level, while Quito is at 7,500 above sea level. If you are affected by altitude, we suggest not overdoing it with excess activities, food, or drink. The water in Ecuador is not always suitable for drinking, so while on the mainland be cautious: drink bottled water. The quality of the drinking water on Galapagos is better. Our yachts make their own purified drinking water. Dive accident insurance is recommended when traveling to remote locations.

ARRIVAL
Your travel arrangements should include a one-night stay over (prior to the yacht’s departure) in Guayaquil (we highly recommend Guayaquil) or Quito. Please be aware that if you are traveling through Quito, your plans might change due to the activity of the volcanoes surrounding that city. A one-night stay over, in Guayaquil or Quito, is also required after the charter.  Again contact Buddy Dive reservations for Air information and ticketing.

It is important you notify Kids Sea Camp & Buddy Dive  of your choice of hotel, as a “Welcome Letter” will be waiting for you upon check in at the hotel. The airport meeting time on the Welcome letter may be different from prior information you may have received. This is due to possible flight schedule changes, which are not known to us until the day prior to departure.

On the day of departure for the Galapagos Buddy Dive boats, be sure to be at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil at least 2 hours before departure as stated in your Welcome letter. A Buddy Dive representative will meet you at the airport and assist you with your tickets and check-in. Prior to check-in at the airline ticket counter at the Quito or Guayaquil Airport, you are required to pay $10 for the Galapagos Visitors Card. This will be paid at the INGALA (Galapagos National Institute) counter. Once you arrive at the San Cristobal, Galapagos Airport, you will be asked to pay the $100 USD National Park fees. Please keep your Park Fee receipt. A Buddy Dive Guide will be there to welcome you, take care of your luggage and transport you to the boat.

CLIMATE
There are two main seasons in the Galapagos. January to June is known as the wet/hot season when the winds from the southeast can make the seas rough. July to December is the dry/cooler or garua season, when winds from the east make for calmer seas. In April, air and water temperatures begin to cool. The strongest trade winds and coolest temperatures (ranging from 60ºF to 79ºF or 16ºC and 26ºC) are customary in late September. In October, the trend reverses again. Despite this, the air and water temperature on Galapagos is very dependent on the location and time of year.

ELECTRICITY
Mainland Ecuador uses 110 volts, 60 cycles, AC, same as the U.S. M.Y. Darwin Buddy, M.Y. Wolf Buddy, and M.Y. Seaman II use both 110 and 220 volts.
 

MEALS
The menu onboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of fresh tropical fruits, local and international cuisine. Each morning, breakfast is served with fresh fruits, cereals and juices, with the hot entrée of your choice. Lunches feature hot soups, salads and sandwiches and/or entrées. Dinners are diverse, including seafood, beef or chicken. Each evening, enjoy fresh homemade desserts. Please notify our office of any special dietary requests and feel free to bring your favorite candy or snack!  Please let us know in advance of any special needs in regard to foods.

BEVERAGES
Soft drinks, ice tea, local beer and wine are complimentary. Unfortunately, the vessels are unable to offer diet coke onboard. Always remember, drinking and diving do not mix. Once you consume alcohol, you become a snorkeler until the next day. If you have a favorite liquor you can bring it with you.

CLOTHING
The Galapagos Islands have many different climates, which change with the seasons. The cooler months are June through November, when the air temperatures range from 65°F (evening) to 85°F (day). During the warmer months from December through June, the temperature ranges from 75°F (evening) to 100°F (day). Dress is very casual on board. For the cool evening, we recommend you pack a light sweatpants and sweatshirts. Since you will be doing several land tours, we suggest you bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, a hat, water bottle, bug spray, and a small backpack. There is limited storage space, so we suggest packing in a soft duffel bag for easy luggage storage.

ENTERTAINMENT
There is a variety of nightly entertainment, including fish identification slide shows, movies and games.

DIVE GEAR SUGGESTIONS
We suggest you pack the following: mask, fins, snorkel, regulator with visible pressure gauge, depth gauge, dive vest or buoyancy compensator, and a 5mm-7mm wet suit with hood, gloves, and booties, or a dry suit with light underwear. We highly recommend: Safety Sausage, Dive Alert, mirror, spare mask, dive watch, and dive light. Dive computers are mandatory. Each piece of gear should be marked with waterproof paint or tape. We suggest packing your mask, especially prescription mask, in your carry-on bag.  Rental gear is not included in your package for adults or Kids.

DIVING:
While onboard you may pick a buddy of your choice or dive with one of the yachts crewmembers. There is ample storage space for your diving equipment in your personal locker. Buddy Dive provides 80 cubic feet tanks, weight belts, and weights. All tanks have K-valves (American type),

The primary  attraction  in Galapagos  is the large pelagics  such as Whale sharks. Occasionally,  there is sighting of Dolphins. You will see a rare combination  of warm and cold water creatures including Sea Lions, Mantas, Penguins, Ray, Turtles, Moray Eels, and enormous schools of unusual fish. Many of the marine creatures are found nowhere else on earth!

The best diving around the Galapagos Islands is made possible through the use of dinghies (or inflatables) manned by our crewmembers.  Few dives are directly from the main vessel itself. Dinghy diving is made easy for you! Once your dive is completed, you hand your weight belt to the dinghy driver, take off your BCD and climb in.

The boats are docked at San Cristobal and our crew will collect the guests from the airport on San Cristobal and bring them directly to the boats.

For the domestic flights and all land services as transfers and overnight stays Buddy Dive works together with Ecua Ultimate.

They have reserved seats for all our guests with the domestic airliners.

Guests can fly in to either Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), just let us know their flight information and we’ll handle the rest. J

Buddy Dive can also take care of your flight arrangements from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands! It's very important that they book and arrange your airport tickets into the Galapagos Islands. The boats require weekly supplies and sometimes parts for maintenance. The amount of space on the planes for our freight is based on the number of tickets issued by us. The Buddy Dive reservations staff is more than happy to give you a quote for the domestic airfare to the Galapagos Islands. When we issue the tickets together with your space on board of our liveaboards, there are the following benefits:

- Seats are totally safe and confirmed for the Buddy Dive Liveaboards cruises
- When you arrive at the airport, we have already printed and listed the TCT cards, so our clients will not have to go to the effort of obtaining and filling in the TCT cards at the airport.
- We will have staff available to check in our passengers at the airline counters.
- We personally check that all the luggage will be sent to the proper airport on Galapagos
- We check-in our guests as one group to avoid paying for extra luggage.
- Clients receive their boarding passes at the airport in a few minutes as we have tickets pre-checked, making the process of check-in very short.
- Our staff will remain at the airport until the plane leaves which makes last minute re-arrangements in case something happens still possible.

Our emergency contact is: Franklin Romero Mobile: 099608446. Friday is the non-diving day and land excursions are planned like visiting a market and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, the Darwin Research Center and on Saturday the Interpretation Center. Check-out is at 10am and check-in time is 12 noon.

REMINDER: ALL US PASSPORTS MUST BE VALID FOR UP 6 SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO EXPIRATION DATE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. AIRLINES ARE ENFORCING THIS

All schedules, package inclusions and rate inforamton is subject to changes