MAJESTIC EXPLORER, GALAPAGOS: General Info
The Majestic Explorer comfortably accommodates 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms, all of which have private bath and shower facilities. Six of the eight cabins have twin beds and all cabins can be converted to queen beds for couples. All cabins have dressers, closet and windows to maximize the view of the Pacific Ocean and Galapagos Archipelago. Cabins are located on the main and lower decks. The air-conditioned salon on the main deck includes dining tables, TV, CD/DVD, video library and lounge area. Sunning/viewing areas, ample seating and a hot tub are located on the top deck.
The dive deck is equipped with individual gear bins, camera table, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse tank for underwater camera equipment. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck. The Majestic Explorer is also equipped with a satellite telephone for emergency calls worldwide.
Your Galapagos Liveaboard diving adventures in will encompass everything from sharks to nudibranchs, and more. The islands are best known for amazing shark diving around Wolf and Darwin Islands. These small and remote islands are best reached by liveaboard vessels for divers. Your diving experience here will generally include Galapagos sharks, silky sharks and lots of schooling hammerheads being cleaned by king angelfish. Seeing marine turtles, schools of tuna, eagle rays, and sea lions is very common and seeing a whale shark is very possible from June through November. All the islands you travel to are amazing sites for underwater photography.
Macro photographers will have their fill of sea horses, barnacle blennies, coral hawk fish, and many others. An abundance of rays are at many of the dive sites (including spotted rays, marble rays, golden rays and stingrays) along with sea lions, sea turtles, schools of grunts and snappers. The variety of life in these water is unlike any other place, with thick schools of the native brown stripped salema, snappers, groupers, Chevron barracuda and huge sea turtles.
There are also many unique things to view on land. Consider adding on some time to your trip to experience the land animals as well. And of course, a trip to the Galapagos would not be complete without taking time to watch their most famous inhabitants - the giant tortoise!
The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 65 -75 degrees F from December through May and 60 – 70 (F) June through November. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 75 (F) or higher in the rainy season (December-May) to the mid 60’s (F) during the dry season (June – November), with nearly constant sea breezes.
Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7mm wetsuit June – November with a hooded vest and gloves and a minimum 5 mm wetsuit December - May. Gloves and hood are strongly recommended.
Your Galapagos liveaboard dives will be done from the pangas with an easy backward roll into the water. After you dive, your tank will be lifted back into the panga and you will board via its stern ladders or with assistance from the side.
VESSEL SPEC SHEET
Length overall: 117 ft (36 meters)
Beam: 23 ft (7 meters)
Draft: 10 ft (3 meters)
Tonnage: 200
Main engines: Motor MTU Marino, 450 hp
Maximum Speed: 10 knots
Accommodations: 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms on main and lower decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. Six of the eight cabins have twin beds and all cabins can be converted to queen beds for couples. Up to 9 crew and 2 guides in the Cruise Director Cabin.
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Air Systems: 2 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage
Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables (2), used for passenger transport and diver pickup
Accessories: Diving Equipment
The Majestic Explorer comfortably accommodates 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms, all of which have private bath and shower facilities. Six of the eight cabins have twin beds and all cabins can be converted to queen beds for couples. All cabins have dressers, closet and windows to maximize the view of the Pacific Ocean and Galapagos Archipelago. Cabins are located on the main and lower decks. The air-conditioned salon on the main deck includes dining tables, TV, CD/DVD, video library and lounge area. Sunning/viewing areas, ample seating and a hot tub are located on the top deck.
The dive deck is equipped with individual gear bins, camera table, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse tank for underwater camera equipment. Diving operations are conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck. The Majestic Explorer is also equipped with a satellite telephone for emergency calls worldwide.
Your Galapagos Liveaboard diving adventures in will encompass everything from sharks to nudibranchs, and more. The islands are best known for amazing shark diving around Wolf and Darwin Islands. These small and remote islands are best reached by liveaboard vessels for divers. Your diving experience here will generally include Galapagos sharks, silky sharks and lots of schooling hammerheads being cleaned by king angelfish. Seeing marine turtles, schools of tuna, eagle rays, and sea lions is very common and seeing a whale shark is very possible from June through November. All the islands you travel to are amazing sites for underwater photography.
Macro photographers will have their fill of sea horses, barnacle blennies, coral hawk fish, and many others. An abundance of rays are at many of the dive sites (including spotted rays, marble rays, golden rays and stingrays) along with sea lions, sea turtles, schools of grunts and snappers. The variety of life in these water is unlike any other place, with thick schools of the native brown stripped salema, snappers, groupers, Chevron barracuda and huge sea turtles.
There are also many unique things to view on land. Consider adding on some time to your trip to experience the land animals as well. And of course, a trip to the Galapagos would not be complete without taking time to watch their most famous inhabitants - the giant tortoise!
The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 65 -75 degrees F from December through May and 60 – 70 (F) June through November. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 75 (F) or higher in the rainy season (December-May) to the mid 60’s (F) during the dry season (June – November), with nearly constant sea breezes.
Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7mm wetsuit June – November with a hooded vest and gloves and a minimum 5 mm wetsuit December - May. Gloves and hood are strongly recommended.
Your Galapagos liveaboard dives will be done from the pangas with an easy backward roll into the water. After you dive, your tank will be lifted back into the panga and you will board via its stern ladders or with assistance from the side.
VESSEL SPEC SHEET
Length overall: 117 ft (36 meters)
Beam: 23 ft (7 meters)
Draft: 10 ft (3 meters)
Tonnage: 200
Main engines: Motor MTU Marino, 450 hp
Maximum Speed: 10 knots
Accommodations: 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms on main and lower decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. Six of the eight cabins have twin beds and all cabins can be converted to queen beds for couples. Up to 9 crew and 2 guides in the Cruise Director Cabin.
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Air Systems: 2 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage
Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables (2), used for passenger transport and diver pickup
Accessories: Diving Equipment
- The Sun Deck features a large lounge area, bar, a partially covered sun deck and a jacuzzi with ample seating.
- The Main Deck features four guest cabins, 1-4, each with private bath and shower, air-conditioning, ample storage and large windows providing guests with amazing ocean views. The dining area, lounge/entertainment area, bar and large dive deck are also located on the Main Deck.
- The Lower Deck comprises five cabins, 5-8, each with private bath and shower, air-conditioning, port windows and ample storage
All Majestic Explorer photos & most texts are © Copyright Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet, our friends & dive travel partners for 25+ years.