405 replies to this topic

[deb4diving]

Kamala,
survey & release emailed. Will send flight info.later.
Will transfer to & from airport be included.
Thanks, Debra

[WreckWench]

Kamala,
survey & release emailed. Will send flight info.later.
Will transfer to & from airport be included.
Thanks, Debra

YES if you are doing our 10 day pkg the transfers are all included!

[stu]

Hi,

I would like to go, d/o, nitrox and boat only. I will take care
of my flights and hotels. Payment and other documents one
the way sometime later today.

Is the boat leaving from the harbor in Puerta Ayora?
I would like to schedule some land based diving either
before or after the boat trip. This should be easy as long
as the flight is into Baltra. When will you know for sure?

Thanks,

Stu

ANSWERS:

The flights arrive in Baltra definitely. Your trip will start in Baltra and
finish in San Cristobal. The boat does not leave form Puerto Ayora. It
leaves from the canal near Baltra.
The options for land based diving are good. I can recommend 2 operators -
would not touch the rest!!!
Since the trip finishes in San Cristobal there are 2 options for your
client. He can dive locally first i.e. fly in early or he can get off the
boat on the Sunday night when everyone goes into Puerto AYora for dinner
and stay there. Either will work. I will get you the info on land based
operators there. Puerto Ayora is definitely where he wants to stay for land
based diving. I am working on putting a package together for some other
clients and can pass on the info to you.
Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

Hi Kamala,

Does the trip really end in San Cristobal? The listed itinerary seems to have the
boat in and around Santa Cruz on Monday? What would I miss if I stay in
Santa Cruz Sunday night? Do I miss black turtle cove and the journey back to
San Cristobal? If so, I guess the Galapagos flights are into Baltra and then out of
San Cristobal? If true, I will probably want to go early and meet the group at
the airport.

I have dove from Puerto Ayora quite a bit, so I don't need any help with
hotels or dive options.

Thanks,

Stu

[WreckWench]

Hi Kamala,

Does the trip really end in San Cristobal? The listed itinerary seems to have the
boat in and around Santa Cruz on Monday?

Yes it really ends in San Critobal...the itinerary may be a bit off so I'll verify it. The info above came from EV corporate yesterday so is the most accurate.

What would I miss if I stay in
Santa Cruz Sunday night? Do I miss black turtle cove and the journey back to
San Cristobal? If so, I guess the Galapagos flights are into Baltra and then out of
San Cristobal? If true, I will probably want to go early and meet the group at
the airport.

Do not know...will ask for you.

I have dove from Puerto Ayora quite a bit, so I don't need any help with
hotels or dive options.

Thanks,

Stu

Roger that!

[deb4diving]

Kamala,
I see you received my documents, but not my deposit. Have you received it yet? Thanks, Debra

[ScubaPunk]

Document Update:

1. Stu aka Stu: Received your Survey and Waiver!

Edited by ScubaPunk, 27 February 2009 - 10:57 AM.

[WreckWench]

Kamala,
I see you received my documents, but not my deposit. Have you received it yet? Thanks, Debra

Hey girl...yes we did...I'm a bit behind on payment updates. Will get it all correct shortly!

[Divegirl412]

Is it still recommended NOT to use drysuits? I seem to remember that from the trip thread last year, but cannot remember the reason why.... I am still interested, but boy.. I hate those 7mm suits.

[WreckWench]

Is it still recommended NOT to use drysuits? I seem to remember that from the trip thread last year, but cannot remember the reason why.... I am still interested, but boy.. I hate those 7mm suits.

You can dive a dry suit if you are expert at it and expert at using the one you will be using on the trip. Otherwise this is NOT a venue to dive a drysuit due to possible drag in currents etc. So it is IMPERATIVE that you be expert at diving a dry suit and diving dry is as second nature as diving wet.

Again I can not personally stress that too many people will want to get dry suit certified this summer and then try to dive dry for the first time or third time or so on the trip. It is outright dangerous to do this which is why they recommend you use a 7mm suit.

[Starfish Sandy]

I have done some research on using dry suits in Galapagos - I totally agree with Kamala on this. Plus the rocks (for lack of a better word) from what I read are extremely sharp - and many end up ripping up their dry suits. I know dry suits are supposed to be very rugged. I'm only going by what people have written in their reports. I have read many reports that state if you bring a dry suit - bring duct tape to repair it!

[peterbj7]

What are water and air temps? If I can make it (and I really hope I can) I have a choice between a 5mm wetsuit and two drysuits - one thin trilaminate and good for flying, the other extremely heavy crushed neoprene which will take up most of my baggage allowance. But the heavy suit is proof against anything I've ever thrown it against, including jagged metal edges of wrecks. I know Kamala will wear her drysuit as I've never known her wear anything else (!), but what about more "normal"people?

[WreckWench]

I have done some research on using dry suits in Galapagos - I totally agree with Kamala on this. Plus the rocks (for lack of a better word) from what I read are extremely sharp - and many end up ripping up their dry suits. I know dry suits are supposed to be very rugged. I'm only going by what people have written in their reports. I have read many reports that state if you bring a dry suit - bring duct tape to repair it!

Thank you Sandy...I have not read those reports...that is yet another reason to not wear a drysuit. Fortunately mine is very rugged crushed neoprene and should withstand most anything that attacks it...but I'll bring the duct tape! (I've learned the hard way about trying to repair a suit on a trip and end up preventing the manufacturer from CORRECTLY repairing it even when the initial repair was done by someone trained to do drysuit repairs. Its just not the same as the manufacturer doing it. The latter is not only 'seamless' but durable and acts as good as the original suit.

[Lady Liz]

I have done some research on using dry suits in Galapagos - I totally agree with Kamala on this. Plus the rocks (for lack of a better word) from what I read are extremely sharp - and many end up ripping up their dry suits. I know dry suits are supposed to be very rugged. I'm only going by what people have written in their reports. I have read many reports that state if you bring a dry suit - bring duct tape to repair it!

Thank you Sandy...I have not read those reports...that is yet another reason to not wear a drysuit. Fortunately mine is very rugged crushed neoprene and should withstand most anything that attacks it...but I'll bring the duct tape! (I've learned the hard way about trying to repair a suit on a trip and end up preventing the manufacturer from CORRECTLY repairing it even when the initial repair was done by someone trained to do drysuit repairs. Its just not the same as the manufacturer doing it. The latter is not only 'seamless' but durable and acts as good as the original suit.

I met a diver that did the Galapagos a few times and he recommend a 7mm semidry as the best for that trip...
I would like to know how much I have to pay (balance from last year) and I want nitrox and reserve a smaller tank for me please!!!!Liz

[WreckWench]

I have done some research on using dry suits in Galapagos - I totally agree with Kamala on this. Plus the rocks (for lack of a better word) from what I read are extremely sharp - and many end up ripping up their dry suits. I know dry suits are supposed to be very rugged. I'm only going by what people have written in their reports. I have read many reports that state if you bring a dry suit - bring duct tape to repair it!

Thank you Sandy...I have not read those reports...that is yet another reason to not wear a drysuit. Fortunately mine is very rugged crushed neoprene and should withstand most anything that attacks it...but I'll bring the duct tape! (I've learned the hard way about trying to repair a suit on a trip and end up preventing the manufacturer from CORRECTLY repairing it even when the initial repair was done by someone trained to do drysuit repairs. Its just not the same as the manufacturer doing it. The latter is not only 'seamless' but durable and acts as good as the original suit.

I met a diver that did the Galapagos a few times and he recommend a 7mm semidry as the best for that trip...
I would like to know how much I have to pay (balance from last year) and I want nitrox and reserve a smaller tank for me please!!!!Liz

Liz the pkg is $47 more due to slight increase in AreoGal flight than last year. The nitrox is $150 so your total would be $197 for nitrox and extra due on the pkg. I'll verify your other payments and let you know!

[WreckWench]

What are water and air temps? If I can make it (and I really hope I can) I have a choice between a 5mm wetsuit and two drysuits - one thin trilaminate and good for flying, the other extremely heavy crushed neoprene which will take up most of my baggage allowance. But the heavy suit is proof against anything I've ever thrown it against, including jagged metal edges of wrecks. I know Kamala will wear her drysuit as I've never known her wear anything else (!), but what about more "normal"people?

Water will be 72 degrees but exceptional diving as this is the Dry Season so better viz. Of course viz here is NOT unlimited as the plankton in the water is what attracts the WHALESHARKS which we should be able to see NO PROBLEM!

The months of July to November, the “garúa” season,
are stamped by cool, dry air and cool water temperatures.
The islands and especially the mountaintops are often covered in clouds and mist.
The clouds and mist are caused by the warming air from the islands mixing with the cold air off the waters
of the Humboldt Current from the Antarctica. Water condensates and forms a layer of clouds over the
archipelago. Sometimes the clouds are accompanied by drizzling rains. This effect is accentuated by trade
winds coming from the south east. During August and October the winds can be particularly strong and the
sea tends to be a bit rough. However, underwater
marine creatures are actively reproducing. This makes diving during these months especially good.
Another factor is the Chromwell Current coming from the equator and reaching the Galapagos plateau from
the west. This current which is several hundred metres deep notably affects the islands of
Fernandina, Isabela and Floreana. The current is rich in nutrients and represents an important source of
food for the marine species such as whales, dolphins and penguins.

Oct Temperature (F) 72
Oct rainfall (inches): 0.2