Unique Experiences. Exceptional Value. Plan your perfect diving holiday with Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet®! Idyllic destinations, personalized customer service, delectable cuisine, and effortless diving from our custom-designed liveaboard boats. All for an exceptional value! It’s easy to understand why divers return time and time again - the very best liveaboard scuba diving trips! After 35 years in service, we have had time to perfect our scuba diving packages. We offer carefully curated liveaboard diving experiences for unbeatable value. We make it easy to access out-of-the-way diving destinations on our fleet’s all-inclusive liveaboards, bringing you a mere giant stride away from the world’s best dive sites. Packages include accommodation, meals and beverages, up to 27 dives (including night dives), dive shop services, and more. Arrive onboard, unpack your gear once, then dive, dive, dive! Choose from 7 world-class diving destinations including Palau, Red Sea, Maldives, Northeastern Caribbean (Saba/St. Kitts), Turks & Caicos Islands, Galapagos Islands, and Indonesia. The vessel M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II also spends 10 weeks each year offering snorkeling with Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic. Our liveaboard fleet includes:Black Pearl ExplorerCaribbean Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer IIHumboldt ExplorerTiburon Explorer Emperor Explorer Grand Sea ExplorerBlue Manta Explorer White Manta ExplorerStart planning your diving vacation, we're waiting for your call!
Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet (explorerventures.com) has 643 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Also known as
explorerventures.com
Website
explorerventures.com
Category
Activities & Tours
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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The company replied to 98% of reviews.
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Most recent review: October 2026.
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The crew was excellent, the boat was nice and clean. The food was amazing and of course great diving. Will use this company again for sure
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 17, 2026
Hi Joe, Thank you for the great review! We're so glad you enjoyed your time aboard Caribbean Explorer II, from the great diving and amazing food to the comfort of the vessel and, especially, the excellent crew. We'll be sure to share your kind words with the team.
And hearing that you'll be diving with us again is about the best compliment we could ask for. We look forward to seeing where your next adventure with us takes you — and we're here to help whenever you're ready to start planning!
RL
Rattiya L.
I came diving with TIBURON EXPLORER on…
I came diving with TIBURON EXPLORER on 25/7/2026-31/7/2026.My name is Rattiya. I was very impressed with the service from the crew and captain. The food was delicious, the cabins were always clean, they were always helpful with getting into gear and before going diving.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 17, 2026
Hi Rattiya, Thank you for sharing your experience aboard Tiburon Explorer! We're so happy to hear the captain and crew made such a great impression and that their care and service stood out throughout your Galápagos adventure.
From delicious meals and a comfortable, clean cabin to a helping hand getting geared up for each dive, it's wonderful to hear the team helped make your time onboard that much more enjoyable. We'll be sure to share your kind words with them!
Thank you for choosing to dive with us, Rattiya. We hope to have you back aboard for another great adventure soon!
NA
Namdar
I saw a couple new fish species, and my favorites
The captain and crew had safety in place all the time. They were a wonderful crew! The food and dive service was great.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 17, 2026
Hi Namdar, Thank you for sharing your experience aboard Caribbean Explorer II! We're especially glad to hear that the crew's attention to safety stood out throughout your trip, along with the great dive service and food onboard.
And adding a couple of new fish species to your list is always a bonus! We appreciate your kind words about the captain and crew and hope there are plenty more memorable underwater encounters ahead with us. We'd be happy to welcome you back anytime!
CU
customer
Never book in el niño years
The boat and crew was great, with the one exception that they were exactly sticking to an itinerary that did not work at all for this trip.
It could however be that park regulations did not allow them to do otherwise.
We had very bad luck with the conditions, as in addition to a strong el niño there was also rather rough sea causing very bad visibilty.
We really saw nothing on this trip, absolutely not worth the money.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 12, 2026
Hi Hannes, Thank you for recognizing the Humboldt Explorer and crew. We're pleased to hear they made a positive impression on your trip!
Regarding the itinerary, your assumption is correct. All dive liveaboards in Galápagos operate on fixed itineraries established by the Galápagos National Park. These schedules are carefully coordinated across all vessels in the area to help protect the islands and manage visitor impact, so there isn't flexibility to deviate from the assigned route.
Sea conditions, visibility, and marine life encounters are all natural variables that can change significantly from day to day and month to month. Broader ocean and weather patterns can also influence diving, like in most regions.
Galápagos consistently offers remarkable marine life encounters that make diving here so special — from schools of hammerheads and graceful eagle rays to playful sea lions, sea turtles, and even the occasional whale shark and mola mola.
While natural variables are beyond anyone's control, the crew's priority is always to operate safely while delivering the best possible experience within the parameters established by the National Park.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of the vessel and crew and wish you many memorable dives ahead.
RS
Roland S.
Der Traum Galapagos Inseln
Die Galapagos Inseln haben unsere Erwartungen voll erfüllt, was Naturschutz und Tiervielfalt angeht.
Insbesondere die Tauchtour erfüllte unsere Vorstellungen voll und ganz, obwohl El Ninjo die Wasdertemperaturen stark erwärmt hatte.
Die Bootscrew war hervorragend und versuchte alle Wünsche zu erfüllen. Die Diveguide bereiteten uns mit umfassende Breefings sehr gut vor und man fühlte sich stets sicher.
Die Humboldt Explorer ist etwas in die Jahre gekommen, strahlt jedoch immer noch großen Charme aus.
Die Leihausrüstung ist deutlich zu teuer und nicht auf dem neusten Stand.
Was mich sehr geärgert hat, war der Umstand, dass bezahltes Tauchen gebucht hatte, inkl Nitrox. Nachdem ich auf eine 15 l Flasche um gestiegen bin, wurden 130 Dollar extra kassiert !! Für mich nicht nachvollziehbar.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 11, 2026
Hallo Roland, vielen Dank, dass Sie sich die Zeit genommen haben, Ihre Erfahrungen an Bord der Humboldt Explorer zu teilen. Es freut uns sehr zu hören, dass die Galapagos-Inseln Ihre Erwartungen erfüllt haben und dass das Tauchen, die Crew sowie das Tauchteam zu einer unvergesslichen Reise beigetragen haben. Besonders schätzen wir Ihre Anmerkungen zur Crew, zu den ausführlichen Tauchbriefings und zum Service-Niveau.
Wir wissen auch Ihre Rückmeldung zur Leihausrüstung und zum Upgrade auf 15-Liter-Flaschen zu schätzen. Zur Klarstellung: Bei den größeren Flaschen handelt es sich um ein optionales Upgrade, das über die im Reisepreis enthaltenen Standardflaschen hinausgeht. Die Kosten für dieses Upgrade werden während der Tauchbriefings erläutert, sodass die Gäste entscheiden können, ob sie diese Option nutzen möchten.
Was die Leihausrüstung betrifft: Der ganzjährige Betrieb auf den Galapagos-Inseln stellt hohe Anforderungen an das Tauchequipment; Einflüsse wie Salz, Sonne und die Unterwasserumgebung können zu optischen Abnutzungserscheinungen führen. Die gesamte Leihausrüstung wird regelmäßig überprüft und gewartet, und unser Bestand wird jährlich erneuert, um sicherzustellen, dass er weiterhin unseren Sicherheits- und Leistungsstandards entspricht.
Nochmals vielen Dank, dass Sie sich für die Humboldt Explorer entschieden haben. Wir freuen uns über Ihr ausführliches Feedback und wünschen Ihnen weiterhin viele großartige Taucherlebnisse.
English Translation
Reply: Hi Roland, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience aboard Humboldt Explorer. We're delighted to hear the Galápagos lived up to your expectations and that the diving, crew, and dive team all contributed to a memorable trip. Your comments about the crew, thorough dive briefings, and the level of service are especially appreciated.
We also appreciate your comments regarding the rental equipment and the 15-liter cylinder upgrade. To clarify a couple of points, the larger cylinders are an optional upgrade beyond the standard tanks included with the trip. The upgrade fee is reviewed during the dive briefings so guests can decide whether they would like to take advantage of that option.
Regarding the rental equipment, operating year-round in the Galápagos is demanding on dive gear, and exposure to salt, sun, and the underwater environment can result in cosmetic wear. All rental equipment is inspected and serviced regularly, with our rental inventory replaced annually to ensure it continues to meet our safety and performance standards.
Thank you again for choosing Humboldt Explorer. We appreciate your thoughtful feedback and wish you more great diving ahead.
Original Review: The Galapagos Islands fully met our expectations regarding nature conservation and wildlife diversity.
The diving tour, in particular, completely lived up to our hopes, even though El Niño had significantly raised the water temperatures.
The boat crew was outstanding and strove to accommodate every request. The dive guides prepared us very well with comprehensive briefings, and we always felt safe.
The *Humboldt Explorer* is showing its age a bit but still exudes great charm.
The rental equipment is significantly overpriced and not up to date.
What really annoyed me was the fact that I had booked a diving package that included Nitrox. After switching to a 15-liter tank, I was charged an extra $130!! I found this completely unreasonable.
CT
Clarence T.
Amazing Crew & Diving
Amazing diving and an amazing crew! Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 17, 2026
Hi Clarence, Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you had such a great experience aboard Humboldt Explorer and that both the incredible Galápagos diving and the crew made your trip one to remember.
It's always great to hear when everything comes together for an amazing week! Thank you for choosing to dive with us, and we hope to host you for another dive adventure again soon!
JB
Jason B.
The whole crew made us feel like…
The whole crew made us feel like family. We were well taken care of and treated. Food was fantastic and so was our diving. Sammy, Moody and Ramzy were excellent scuba guides.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 17, 2026
Hi Jason, Thank you for the wonderful review! Hearing that the crew aboard Grand Sea Explorer made you feel like family is such a great compliment. We're so glad you felt well cared for throughout your week and enjoyed both the fantastic food and diving in the Red Sea.
We'll be sure to pass your kind words along to Sammy, Moody, Ramzy, and the rest of the team. Thank you for choosing to dive with us, Jason — we hope to have you back aboard for more dive adventures together in the future!
JK
John K.
Caribbean Explorer 2 Best crew in the Islands.
Truly ,
Number 1 Dive Team in the Islands.
The Captain and crew were fantastic.
Captain Amber/Dive Guides- always friendly and helpful. Very approachable during your time on the ship.
Top Notch Dive Guides- Mark and Sheldon showed us the best of the reefs/ wrecks. Very knowledgeable and Professional.Awesome in depth Dive Briefs. If you have something specific you want to see on the reefs they will find it for you.
Johnathan -Night Watch/Captain keep us safe at night. Always friendly and Professional greeting each morning with fresh coffee and conversation as the sunrises.
Mr T- Engineer and Deck Hand taking care of our gear between dives . Another Professional that will make your time on the ship a memorable experience. Another Professional of the Team.
Julian- Professional Chef/Captain/Engineer- Helping you gain weight with delicious meals and snacks. Food was Five Star and well worth it. His briefings on your meals are fantastic and entertaining.Ask him about Salads. Another member of the team that will talk with you after a day of diving or first thing in the morning.
The vessel was awesome and I did want to acknowledge each member of the number 1 Dive Team. Our experience was fantastic and will be remembered for years to come .
Thank you all again.
Response from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 7, 2026
Hi John, "Number 1 Dive Team in the Islands" — that's the kind of review that reminds us why we love what we do! It's wonderful to hear that Captain Amber and the whole crew aboard Caribbean Explorer II made such a strong impression, from the dive briefs to the meals to keeping everyone safe and well cared for around the clock. They work very hard to make sure every guest is well cared for, and we're so glad that it showed throughout your trip.
Thanks for taking the time to recognize the team — we'll be sure to pass it along, and hope to welcome you back aboard any of the fleet soon!
