Scuba diving with Calipso Galapagos in Ecuador

Calipso Galapagos Liveaboard Diving

Scuba diving Galapagos is the marine version of visiting Jurassic Park.

With 592 species of fish, 32 species of sharks, 3 species of sea turtles, 7 species of dolphins plus penguins, mola molas, orcas, mantas and the sole marine iguana on the planet, only in Galapagos can you dive with such a sheer abundance of species and so many sharks. Darwin and Wolf have the largest biomass of sharks in the world, 17.5 tons of sharks per hectare (2.47 acres). Only in Galapagos can you dive with pregnant Whale sharks this big. Add massive schools of pre-historic looking Hammerheads, the largest Galapagos sharks anywhere and, sorry everywhere else, only Galapagos truly is the sharkiest place on the planet. And yes, the best dive sites in Galapagos are only accessible from a liveaboard.

Calipso Galapagos Yacht

Galapagos Liveaboard Diving at its finest.

Calipso Galapagos is a 35.4 m/117′ yacht. All systems are new. All interior spaces are new. The dive deck is new. The sun deck is new and has a jacuzzi. Our spacious salon and dining areas offer amazing panoramic views on both sides. We have wi-fi.

All ensuite double cabins are convertible to 1 bed with individual climate control, TV, safety deposit box, storage, hair dryer, no allergenic carpeting, sprinkler systems and windows for the only-in-Galapagos land before time vistas.

The dive deck has a bi-level rinse tank – deep for big rigs and shallow for GoPros. We have a large camera table, dry charging area, hot showers, individual dive stations with storage, wetsuit racks and dive deck bath.

Calipso Galapagos Itinerary

The best Galapagos dive sites are only accessible from a liveaboard.

The Galapagos Islands offer legendary diving. Our Galapagos itinerary includes the islands of Darwin and Wolf, of course, but only Calipso dives Marchena, a site previously restricted to scientists and filmmakers. We also dive the western sites of Cabo Douglas, Cabo Marshall and Punta Vicente Roca. Our western Galapagos itinerary varies by season. The Galapagos Islands offer land before time vistas and legendary diving in the sharkiest place on earth. It is a privilege to dive this rich and abundant environment. It would be our privilege to take you there.

About Calipso Dive

The Zapatas spent many hours during their childhood watching Jacques Cousteau on television. Their father was a fishermen who spent every day in the ocean, including time with Jean-Michael Cousteau in Galapagos before liveaboards existed. Mr. Zapata named his fishing boat Calipso in honor of the Cousteaus.

As part of the process to get a dive permit in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Mr. Zapata had to give up his fishing boat. So in honor of their father, the Zapata family named their new liveaboard Calipso. In Spanish, it’s Calipso, not Calypso.

Carlos Zapata created the widely respected Foundation for Alternative Responsible Development (FUNDAR) Galapagos. His PhD thesis was on the economic impact of climate change on Galapagos. Carlos lives in Santa Cruz, Galapagos. He will oversee various elements of operation.

Bolivar Zapata exports contaminants out of Galapagos for recycling on the mainland. He lives in San Cristobal and will oversee Calipso operations.

Fabian Zapata is a specialist in environmental studies with a Master’s degree. He is overseeing the construction of Calipso. He will oversee the many necessary logistics on the mainland.

Gabriela Zapata became a biotech engineer, studying at the University of Nottingham in the UK. She lives in Quito, Ecuador and will oversee domestic flights as well as guest relations and internal operations along with her husband, Jose Luis Arias, who has a masters in marketing.