Nortada

General Description

Originally built in France by Guy Couach, Nortada is a fully rebuilt fiberglass vessel serving as a dive live-aboard in the Galapagos Islands with capacity for 12 guests in four air conditioned triple cabins with twin lower berths and one single upper berth, each cabin has an en-suite bathroom. Great option for running charter in small groups. Nortada was custom build for diving with a spacious dive deck and outside shower.

Specifications

• Year built: 1986
• Year renovated: 2014
• Length: 25.66 m / 84.19 ft
• Beam: 5.40 m / 17.72 ft
• Cruising Speed: 8 – 10 knots
• Hull Type: Fiberglass
• Engines: 2 CUMMINS 6CTA8.3-M 255 HP / 190 kW
• Generators: 2 KHOLER 28EOZD 38 HP / 28 kW
• Compressors: 2 NUVAIR MINI TECH 8040.2 5.5 HP
• Nitrox Compressor: MARINE LP280 NUVAIR D11-121-0020 10 HP
• Water Capacity: 1,200 gallons / 4,543 litres
• Fuel Capacity: 1,700 gallons / 6,435 litres
• Electricity: 110 & 220 V
• Max Guests: 12
• Crew Capacity: 6 crew members & 2 guides
• Number of cabins: 4
• Deck Area: 3 decks
• Tenders: 2,15 ft Nautica inflatable boats with 25 HP four-stroke outboard engines

Itineraries

DIVING ITINERARY 8 Days

Friday – Day 1 ARRIVAL, SNORKEL TOUR AND DIVING BRIEFING Meet at Passenger Pier at 12:30 in Puerto Ayora for lunch on board. After lunch, there will be time for ATM visits, souvenir shopping, sightseeing of the local town, and around 14:00, you will take a snorkeling tour in Santa Cruz Island Bay. A welcome cocktail and dinner will be served on board, followed by a briefing about diving and security practices. Nortada will depart at midnight with destination to Carrión Point. Saturday – Day 2 CARRIÓN POINT / BALTRA NE / COUSIN ROCK Usually starting at 6 am, one morning dive check is done at Carrión Point or the northeastern portion of Baltra Island. The first dive is followed by breakfast while Nortada refuels in Baltra. After refueling, a two-hour navigation will take you to Cousin Rock for one or two dives. Carrión Point and Baltra NE are considered “warm-up” dives where dive procedures and equipment are tested and enforced or adapted. Cousin Rock is one of the most popular dive sites in the central islands, formed by volcanic tuff. Sunday – Day 3 WOLF ISLAND Up to 4 dives during the day at Shark Bay Point, El Derrumbe, La Ventana Islet, and La Banana; and one optional night dive during day 3 or day 5. Wolf Island is located at the Northwest of the Archipelago. Wolf is known as “The Mecca of sharks” where divers can swim alongside several species of sharks, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays, and colorful schools of fish. Wolf also offers an opportunity to explore the erosion underwater caverns and tunnels. Monday – Day 4 DARWIN ISLAND Located at the Northwest of the Archipelago. Up to 4 dives are done on this day. Darwin is considered one of the best places to dive in the world, with sightings of several species of sharks, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays, and colorful schools of fish. Schooling hammerhead sharks and whale sharks are the highlights of dives at Darwin’s Arch. Tuesday – Day 5 WOLF ISLAND Up to 4 dives during the day at Shark Bay Point, El Derrumbe, La Ventana Islet, and La Banana; and one optional night dive during day 3 or day 5. The marine life of Wolf Island includes schooling hammerhead sharks, occasionally whale sharks, as well as green turtles, manta rays, and other pelagic fish. Wednesday – Day 6 CAPE DOUGLAS / VICENTE ROCA POINT One or two dives are done in Cape Douglas followed by a short transit to Vicente Roca Point for one or two dives. Isabela and Fernandina dive sites are where Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas, and several other endemic species can be seen consistently. Thursday – Day 7 CAPE MARSHALL / ROCA BLANCA Located in the northeast coast of Isabela, these volcanic walls are sparsely covered with black coral bushes. Up to 4 dives are done on this day. Friday – Day 8 PUERTO AYORA / TRANSFER OUT Breakfast and check out from Nortada followed by a land visit to Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Charles Darwin Research Station. The breeding center land visit will provide an opportunity to learn about the breeding programs for giant tortoises and land iguanas. If required, a transfer to the airport with a visit to the tortoises in the wild can be arranged for an additional fee.

Included	Mandatory Extras	Optional Extras
IVA, Drinking Water, Non-Alcoholic Beverages with Meals, Welcome Cocktails, Tea & Coffee, Full Board Meal Plan (All Meals), Snacks, Additional Dives, Night Dives, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Naturalist Guide, Complimentary Toiletries, WiFi Internet, Cabin Towels, Platform Towels.	National Park Fees (100-200 USD), Visas and Fees (20 USD).	Tips, Airport Transfers (50 USD), Alcoholic Beverages (3-6 USD per item), Non-Alcoholic Beverages (2 USD per item), Wine with Dinner (20 USD per item), Equipment Rental, Nitrox Course (210 USD), Private Diving Guide, Nitrox, Snorkeling Equipment, Snorkeling Guide, Kayaks.