Explorer Ventures introduces newest Galapagos vessel, celebrates 20 years of service
Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving is pleased to announce an agreement with Galasam International of Ecuador to build and operate a brand-new 16-passenger liveaboard dive vessel, the Galapagos Eco Explorer I, to begin operation in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands early in 2007.
"Galasam's record of 28 years operating liveaboard charters in the Galapagos makes it uniquely suited for bringing Explorer Ventures' name to this renowned dive destination," says Explorer Ventures President Clay McCardell, of Casper, Wyoming. "In addition, the Galapagos Eco Explorer I will represent the 16th vessel constructed by Galasam for charter service in the Galapagos Islands, and their experience in designing the most comfortable liveaboard for these waters is unsurpassed. It also represents the fifth liveaboard dive vessel in the Explorer Ventures' fleet."
Explorer Ventures' newest week-long itinerary will depart each Monday from San Cristobal, and will visit and dive the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf each week as well as introducing guests to the natural history of the central portion of the archipelago. The 100-foot power catamaran will accommodate guests in large private double staterooms on the main and upper decks, each with seating area and large windows opening to the ocean; both indoor and open-air salons as well as sundeck and observation deck will provide plenty of space to spread. Her hull and propulsion design will ensure that the transit to and from the northern islands is as comfortable as possible, as well as several hours shorter than that other vessels.
2007 also marks a milestone in the company's history. Nearly twenty years ago, in June of 1987, the 100-foot, 18-passenger Caribbean Explorer inaugurated the fleet, beginning operation from St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and offering week-long itineraries visiting the islands of Saba, Statia and St. Kitts in the Northeastern Caribbean. In 1999, Explorer Ventures acquired the 72-foot, 18-passenger power catamaran Nimrod Explorer based in Cairns, Australia and expanded its liveaboard diving operations to include 4- to 8-day itineraries in the Far Northern Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, including remote reef systems just south of Papua New Guinea.
In 2003, Explorer Ventures again added to the fleet, purchasing the 18-passenger, 115 foot Caribbean Explorer II to take over the company's longest-running itinerary in the Northeastern Caribbean. The original Caribbean Explorer was extensively refit and moved to Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos Islands just southeast of the Bahamas, to again offer week-long itineraries accessing the area's crystal-clear waters and dramatic underwater drop-offs.
In early 2005, the 20-passenger, 130 foot Turks & Caicos Explorer II became the newest addition to the Explorer Ventures Fleet, and took over the Turks & Caicos itinerary. The largest and most luxurious vessel in the fleet, it now operates year-round from Providenciales and offers an exceptional week of diving in the islands.
The original Caribbean Explorer I was again moved, this time to the islands and cays of the Southern Bahamas. Now based year-round in Georgetown, Great Exuma, the original Caribbean Explorer is still considered one of the best liveaboard dive vessels in the Caribbean, and provides guests with an affordable liveaboard diving experience they will not soon forget.
Even with the exponential growth of Explorer Ventures' fleet over the past few years, the foundation of the company is still the same -- providing guests with world-class liveaboard diving vacations at an exceptional value. Explorer Ventures is now the largest privately-owned liveaboard diving fleet in the world, but our hope is still that each guest we have aboard our vessels becomes more than just a guest but a life-time friend.
Pricing for an Explorer Ventures liveaboard diving vacation ranges from US$995 to $3,395 per person per week, depending on the destination. For further information, availability and reservations visit www.explorerventures.com, or call 800-322-3577.
Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving is pleased to announce an agreement with Galasam International of Ecuador to build and operate a brand-new 16-passenger liveaboard dive vessel, the Galapagos Eco Explorer I, to begin operation in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands early in 2007.
"Galasam's record of 28 years operating liveaboard charters in the Galapagos makes it uniquely suited for bringing Explorer Ventures' name to this renowned dive destination," says Explorer Ventures President Clay McCardell, of Casper, Wyoming. "In addition, the Galapagos Eco Explorer I will represent the 16th vessel constructed by Galasam for charter service in the Galapagos Islands, and their experience in designing the most comfortable liveaboard for these waters is unsurpassed. It also represents the fifth liveaboard dive vessel in the Explorer Ventures' fleet."
Explorer Ventures' newest week-long itinerary will depart each Monday from San Cristobal, and will visit and dive the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf each week as well as introducing guests to the natural history of the central portion of the archipelago. The 100-foot power catamaran will accommodate guests in large private double staterooms on the main and upper decks, each with seating area and large windows opening to the ocean; both indoor and open-air salons as well as sundeck and observation deck will provide plenty of space to spread. Her hull and propulsion design will ensure that the transit to and from the northern islands is as comfortable as possible, as well as several hours shorter than that other vessels.
2007 also marks a milestone in the company's history. Nearly twenty years ago, in June of 1987, the 100-foot, 18-passenger Caribbean Explorer inaugurated the fleet, beginning operation from St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and offering week-long itineraries visiting the islands of Saba, Statia and St. Kitts in the Northeastern Caribbean. In 1999, Explorer Ventures acquired the 72-foot, 18-passenger power catamaran Nimrod Explorer based in Cairns, Australia and expanded its liveaboard diving operations to include 4- to 8-day itineraries in the Far Northern Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, including remote reef systems just south of Papua New Guinea.
In 2003, Explorer Ventures again added to the fleet, purchasing the 18-passenger, 115 foot Caribbean Explorer II to take over the company's longest-running itinerary in the Northeastern Caribbean. The original Caribbean Explorer was extensively refit and moved to Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos Islands just southeast of the Bahamas, to again offer week-long itineraries accessing the area's crystal-clear waters and dramatic underwater drop-offs.
In early 2005, the 20-passenger, 130 foot Turks & Caicos Explorer II became the newest addition to the Explorer Ventures Fleet, and took over the Turks & Caicos itinerary. The largest and most luxurious vessel in the fleet, it now operates year-round from Providenciales and offers an exceptional week of diving in the islands.
The original Caribbean Explorer I was again moved, this time to the islands and cays of the Southern Bahamas. Now based year-round in Georgetown, Great Exuma, the original Caribbean Explorer is still considered one of the best liveaboard dive vessels in the Caribbean, and provides guests with an affordable liveaboard diving experience they will not soon forget.
Even with the exponential growth of Explorer Ventures' fleet over the past few years, the foundation of the company is still the same -- providing guests with world-class liveaboard diving vacations at an exceptional value. Explorer Ventures is now the largest privately-owned liveaboard diving fleet in the world, but our hope is still that each guest we have aboard our vessels becomes more than just a guest but a life-time friend.
Pricing for an Explorer Ventures liveaboard diving vacation ranges from US$995 to $3,395 per person per week, depending on the destination. For further information, availability and reservations visit www.explorerventures.com, or call 800-322-3577.
