I know this isn't about diving around here...but thought I would post a few pictures from my trip to the Galapagos Islands. The short story is we spent seven full days diving aboard the Deep Blue Liveaboard Yacht. If you ever do a live aboard in the Galapagos...you should give these guys a call. First class operation all the way. We hoped we were hitting the peak Whale Shark season. Our goal was to see at least one or two whale sharks. We made 8 dives at Darwin Island, we saw two to three whale sharks on EACH and every dive. It was awesome. Not to mention all the other animals we were able to swim with. I have a lot of video I will try to put together. My best Whale Shark moments were on video.
Here was our home for 7 days. Deep Blue 108 foot yacht.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o36/glenfwb/deepblueyacht.jpg
Here is one of many Whale Sharks we had the chance to swim with
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o36/glenfwb/whalesharkfronton.jpg
Absolutely incredible. I'm familiar with some of those animals (not the sharks!) because I have been to Baja California a bunch of times and there is a similar fish fauna in both Baja and the Galapagos, i.e., tropical eastern Pacific. It's quite a bit different than the Caribbean fauna. I always wanted to go to the Galapagos, but I heard in the last few years the government has limited cruises to a maximum of only 7 days to reduce visitor impact. Maybe there are good reasons for this, but it seems a pity to travel all the way to a unique spot like the Galapagos and only be able to stay for 7 days. I would like to immerse myself into the environment for longer than that.
tstormdiver
July 5th, 2010, 05:53 AM
Thanks for all the pictures! Leaving for the Galapagos in late Aug./ Sept. Nice to get to whet the apatite!
GLENFWB
July 5th, 2010, 09:08 AM
do you know if you will be diving Wolf and Darwin island?
Thanks for all the pictures! Leaving for the Galapagos in late Aug./ Sept. Nice to get to whet the apatite!
GLENFWB
July 5th, 2010, 09:14 AM
you are not limited to seven days in Galapagos. A liveaboard might only do 7 days. But then you could go to Santa Cruz island or Cristobal island and take day trips or multiple days trips. I was there for two weeks. Now the last five days were not by choice but there is no limit to your stay. They regulate which groups and how many go to certain sites. But you can plan your trips around all that.
Absolutely incredible. I'm familiar with some of those animals (not the sharks!) because I have been to Baja California a bunch of times and there is a similar fish fauna in both Baja and the Galapagos, i.e., tropical eastern Pacific. It's quite a bit different than the Caribbean fauna. I always wanted to go to the Galapagos, but I heard in the last few years the government has limited cruises to a maximum of only 7 days to reduce visitor impact. Maybe there are good reasons for this, but it seems a pity to travel all the way to a unique spot like the Galapagos and only be able to stay for 7 days. I would like to immerse myself into the environment for longer than that.
Dive-aholic
July 5th, 2010, 09:48 AM
You suck! LOL!!!
Glad you're back and doing better, Glen!
tstormdiver
July 5th, 2010, 09:57 AM
do you know if you will be diving Wolf and Darwin island?
Yes, we will be doing 3 days around Wolf & Darwin Islands. We will be aboard the Humboldt Explorer.
GLENFWB
July 5th, 2010, 11:04 AM
the amount of things you will see is sensory overload. Wolf and Darwin are by far the best dives. The current at Wolf was unbelievable. It just added to the enjoyment. Once you let go and float in to the blue, it is a real rush to just shoot along with the current. Sharks and schools of fish just shoot along with you. Great dives!! You will have a blast!
Yes, we will be doing 3 days around Wolf & Darwin Islands. We will be aboard the Humboldt Explorer.
tstormdiver
July 5th, 2010, 11:11 AM
Thanks for the info! :cool3: Anything that might be important to know?
GLENFWB
July 5th, 2010, 08:42 PM
well if it helps Rob, Jackson Blue is good training for the currents at Wolf Island.
You suck! LOL!!!
Glad you're back and doing better, Glen!
tstormdiver
July 5th, 2010, 09:07 PM
Jackson Blue is good training for the currents at Wolf Island.
Suuuuwwwwweeeeeeet! I was there for the first time, just a few weeks ago & did pretty decent!:D
SuPrBuGmAn
July 6th, 2010, 01:47 AM
Awesome pics Glen, and YOU SUCK!
... Im jealous :P
GLENFWB
July 6th, 2010, 02:01 AM
Thanks Mat. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Awesome pics Glen, and YOU SUCK!
... Im jealous :P
Kevin Carlisle
July 6th, 2010, 07:06 AM
Glen just so you know I echo Rob aand Mats sentiment :D good for you Glen, that is just awesome.
SeaYoda
July 6th, 2010, 09:45 AM
Several people have expressed how I feel about you and your adventure (yes, you suck!) :D. Glad you're home in one piece.
MRXRAY
July 6th, 2010, 09:52 AM
Awesome pictures. I need more, so I'm headed to your photobucket.
MRXRAY
July 6th, 2010, 09:56 AM
Went to your photbucket and your vimeo....MUST HAVE MORE!
mrmccoy
July 6th, 2010, 02:04 PM
Great shots and glad all is well with you Glen.
Dive-aholic
July 6th, 2010, 06:29 PM
well if it helps Rob, Jackson Blue is good training for the currents at Wolf Island.
Yeah, but I'm not sure I can carry on my new Silent Submersion Magnus 950 on the airplane... :D
merxlin
July 6th, 2010, 06:42 PM
Thanks for the pix. Going in early September on the Aggressor and will be diving Wolf and Darwin.
the bottom is very visible and it seems to be getting a lot of natural light- how deep were you and where was that taken?
GLENFWB
July 7th, 2010, 12:09 AM
This was an unusual whale. He was a smaller one....he came in from the Blue like the other ones, then he turned and went up on the ledge and swam for a while. I got a video that shows him real well. He was at about 30 feet in this picture. Most of the whales we encountered were at a depth between 40-60 feet.
You will have some great dives at Darwin and Wolf...hopefully a few Whale Sharks will still be around.
Thanks for the pix. Going in early September on the Aggressor and will be diving Wolf and Darwin.
the bottom is very visible and it seems to be getting a lot of natural light- how deep were you and where was that taken?
GLENFWB
July 7th, 2010, 03:37 PM
Here is an uncut video...no music or fancy titles. Instead of swimming over the Whale Shark this time, I laid on my back and shot video as the Whale shark passed over me. What a rush.
13157106
SuPrBuGmAn
July 7th, 2010, 03:47 PM
Thats just friggin awesome. Dives like this for a week? It must have been rough!
GLENFWB
July 7th, 2010, 03:49 PM
Had the same experience with Hammerheads (they were a little harder to get close too), Turtles, and more schools of fish then I can remember. It was tough...but someone had to do it!
Thats just friggin awesome. Dives like this for a week? It must have been rough!
MRXRAY
July 9th, 2010, 12:36 PM
Keep 'em coming!
scubagal28
July 13th, 2010, 02:27 PM
I'm so jealous! Great pictures!
GLENFWB
July 18th, 2010, 01:00 AM
I have the video almost done....hope to post it soon.
I like those shots a lot, especially the hammerhead ones and above-water shot of the arch rock.
denisegg
July 22nd, 2010, 11:52 AM
Beautiful, beautiful photography as usual Glen! I can't wait to get back in the water with you!!
GLENFWB
July 22nd, 2010, 06:47 PM
Thanks Denise. I think when both of us get cleared to dive again....and notice I said WHEN not IF, we can just dive together again and take it slow and easy. Taking a neurological DCS hit has some great advantages, now when I do something stupid I just tell my wife, "Hey, leave me alone...I have neurolgical damage!!" I wont tell you what her response is...I am sure you can use your imagination. :D
Beautiful, beautiful photography as usual Glen! I can't wait to get back in the water with you!!
denisegg
July 22nd, 2010, 11:14 PM
Slow and easy is sounding really good right about now. :)
GLENFWB
July 28th, 2010, 11:14 PM
I finally got my Galapagos Dive Trip video done. I hope this will give you an idea of what the dives are like in the Galapagos. I encourage you to go if you ever get the chance. This was also my first attempt at using iMovie on a MAC computer.
13713355
Dive-aholic
July 29th, 2010, 01:43 AM
Great video, Glen! What was the water temp there?
SeaYoda
July 29th, 2010, 03:28 AM
Love the video - reminds me a lot of the jetties :rofl3: :rofl3: :rofl3:
GLENFWB
July 29th, 2010, 11:58 AM
The water temps around North Seymour and San Cristobal were around 72 degrees, very comfortable with a 3 mil. I never wore a hood and I never got cold. Water temps around Wolf and Darwin were around 76 degrees and very comfortable. We were very lucky with weather and water temps. I think late June is a prime time to go to the Galapagos.
Great video, Glen! What was the water temp there?
GLENFWB
July 29th, 2010, 11:59 AM
I thought you might confuse the pictures with some of our jetty dives Bill!:D
Love the video - reminds me a lot of the jetties :rofl3: :rofl3: :rofl3:
MikeSK
July 29th, 2010, 03:03 PM
Love that seal pic..so friggin cute. Almost looks like he's posing
GLENFWB
July 29th, 2010, 07:05 PM
The seals were a lot of fun....in and out of the water. We also snorkeled with them in a shallow pool on one island. Man, them things are FAST!
Love that seal pic..so friggin cute. Almost looks like he's posing
Dive-aholic
July 30th, 2010, 03:19 AM
The water temps around North Seymour and San Cristobal were around 72 degrees, very comfortable with a 3 mil. I never wore a hood and I never got cold. Water temps around Wolf and Darwin were around 76 degrees and very comfortable. We were very lucky with weather and water temps. I think late June is a prime time to go to the Galapagos.
Very comfortable for you maybe! Those are 7mm temps for me! The hood would start off in my pocket but might come on by the end of the day. :eyebrow:
