If you’re dreaming of an elopement that’s wild, unforgettable, and a little bit legendary, let me introduce you to the ultimate adventure: a liveaboard scuba diving elopement in the Galápagos Islands.

Welcome to the ultimate elopement experience: a weeklong liveaboard scuba diving trip in the Galápagos Islands, where your ceremony happens on a volcanic island surrounded by marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches… and your honeymoon? Swimming with hammerheads.

A Scuba Diving Elopement Unlike Any Other

Imagine this: you and your partner spend a week aboard a Galápagos liveaboard dive cruise, waking each day to explore some of the world’s most pristine underwater ecosystems. Depending on the season, you might dive alongside massive schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, glide beside oceanic manta rays, or watch sea lions barrel roll in crystal-clear water.

Now imagine having your wedding ceremony surrounded by the otherworldly wildlife that makes the Galápagos so iconic—marine iguanas sunning on black lava rock, blue-footed boobies dancing nearby, and Darwin’s finches chirping in the brush. You exchange vows in complete solitude on a remote volcanic island, the sea breeze carrying your words into one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

What is a Scuba Diving Liveaboard Cruise?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: you live aboard a dive boat for 7–10 days, wake up at sunrise to dive some of the richest ecosystems on Earth, and spend the rest of the day exploring wild islands, soaking up sunsets, and celebrating your marriage.

Here’s how this epic elopement unfolds:

• Multiple dives per day with megafauna like hammerheads, manta rays, sea turtles, and playful sea lions
• A private elopement ceremony on the ship, with the Captain officiating, surrounded by endless ocean and incredible wildlife
• Underwater and in-water bridal portraits taken by me—your elopement photographer + dive guide—using professional gear above and below the surface
• A true once-in-a-lifetime experience that doubles as your honeymoon, adventure trip, and wedding rolled into one

Why the Galápagos Is Perfect for an Adventure Elopement

The Galápagos Islands are one of the most protected and unique places in the world—a UNESCO World Heritage Site where nature truly takes center stage. They offer:

• Year-round scuba diving opportunities with megafauna like sharks, mantas, and sea turtles
• Remote, otherworldly landscapes perfect for intimate ceremonies
• Hiking in the National Park. Learn more HERE.
• Incredible wildlife both above and below the surface
• Liveaboard cruises that allow you to fully unplug and immerse yourself in your surroundings

For couples who want their wedding to reflect their love of the ocean, wildlife, and wild adventure, there’s no better place.

Learn more at The Galápagos Conservancy.

An important note – Foreigners can not legally be married in the Galapagos. For your union to be legally recognized, you must do this part in your home state. The ceremony will be symbolic but still 100% real to you.

Where Is the Galápagos and How Do You Get There?

To get to the Galápagos Islands, you’ll fly internationally into Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), Ecuador. From there, you’ll take a domestic flight (around 2 hours) to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY), depending on your liveaboard departure point.

Total travel time from the U.S. typically ranges from 24–36 hours, including layovers. Most couples spend 10–14 days on the full experience: travel, 7–10 nights onboard, and a few nights on the mainland to decompress, explore Quito, or prep for return travel.

Flight Costs: I ran a quick search, and you can typically fly round trip from LA, Miami, Austin, and NYC to Quito for $300-$350 in you book 2+ months out.

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Best Time to Scuba Dive in the Galápagos

Season	What You’ll See
June–November	Cooler water, strong currents, schools of hammerheads, whale sharks, and mola mola
December–May	Warmer water, calmer conditions, manta rays, reef sharks, and excellent visibility

Both seasons are incredible—it just depends on which animals you’d most like to see during your Galápagos diving elopement.

Note: Galápagos diving is advanced—expect strong currents, thermoclines, and deep dives. But for experienced divers, this is one of the most rewarding marine ecosystems on the planet.

I’m Your Photographer and Your Dive Guide

I’m not just along for the ride—I’m your in-water adventure elopement photographer and your PADI scuba instructor. With over 3,000 logged dives in 10+ countries, I’ve been a dive professional since 2017 and even spent a season guiding snorkel and scuba tours in the frigid waters of Ketchikan, Alaska.

I know how to safely and beautifully photograph you underwater—whether you’re in full scuba gear swimming through schools of manta ways, or floating in a white bridal suit during a surface snorkel session, light dancing off the water around you. I’ll also be capturing stunning topside photos of your ceremony, the wildlife around you, and all the little moments in between.

What’s Included in a Galápagos Dive Elopement

The Logistics:

• Planning support for the perfect dive season (manta vs. hammerhead migration!)
• Liveaboard recommendations based on experience and comfort level
• Wildlife-forward ceremony location location scouting on permitted islands
• Ethical, eco-conscious travel guidance to ensure your trip respects this protected ecosystem
• Handle dive logistics, from NITROX to gear rental to required certifications
• Design your elopement timeline around wildlife migrations, golden hour, and your dream shots

The Really Good Stuff:

• Full coverage of your wedding day, from sunrise love letters to sunset first dances on board
• In-water bridal portrait sessions while snorkeling from shore
• Comprehensive support both above and below the surface throughout the trip
• High resolution 4k Video highlighting key moments of your wedding day and capturing the underwater majesty throughout the week
• Capture underwater portraits, candid boat moments, wildlife scenes, and canvas-worthy wildlife photography, underwater adventures

Why Having a Professional Third-Wheel WORKS

You and your partner are each other’s primary dive buddy — and that’s wonderful. You’ll be glued to each other for hours underwater, moving in sync; it will connect you in ways words can’t quite explain.

But what happens when one of you needs a break? Diving multiple times a day for a week can be exhausting, and 20+ dives is an ambitious itinerary. If your partner wants to skip a midday dive for a nap, enjoy a glass of wine at dinner (and sit out the night dive), or isn’t feeling well or has ear issues, I’ll step in as your reliable dive buddy. I hardly ever skip dives, so you won’t miss out while your partner rests — making sure your underwater adventure stays smooth, safe, and fun for both of you.

Custom Packages Tailored to You

Your Galapagos elopement adventure will be priced as a custom package, designed specifically around your needs and desires. But don’t worry — “custom” doesn’t automatically mean expensive. You won’t be paying for seven days of nonstop photo coverage. Instead, I work with you to create a package that fits your schedule, budget, and priorities perfectly, ensuring you get exactly the experience you want without unnecessary add-ons.

Top Liveaboard Dive Boats in the Galápagos

Here are a few reputable liveaboards offering unforgettable diving experiences:

• Galaxy Diver 2 – Beloved by underwater photographers
• Galápagos Sky – Luxury, PADI-certified, with marine naturalists onboard
• Humboldt Explorer – More affordable, great for advanced divers
• Aggressor III – A well-known name in the dive world with experienced guides
• Calipso Galápagos – Offers both scuba and naturalist itineraries with top-notch photo opportunities

Check out more vetted operators here.

These boats fill quickly during peak season, so booking 12–18 months in advance is highly recommended for elopements.

What’s Different about Liveaboards

Liveaboard cruises aren’t like massive cruise ships — they’re cozy, intimate vessels that quickly feel like a close-knit family. Most ships take 16-30 divers out to sea, then break them into smaller groups (4-10) at the beginning of the trip for the crew to lead smaller dives. This allows for more individualized coaching, safety mitigation, and sustainable behavior. The ship always has a common lounge area and dining room, and many have a hot tub and sun deck. When you’re not diving or napping, you’re eating family-style and watching an old VHS of “Captain Ron,” or receiving a lecture from an onboard naturalist. By the end of your trip, you’ll know everyone onboard and often form lifelong friendships with fellow travelers.

Liveaboards are also perfect for fine-tuning your scuba skills — after a week underwater, you might just come back as a whole new diver.

Not a Diver? Get Certified on Your Elopement Adventure

You don’t have to be a lifelong diver to create something magical in the ocean.

While the Galápagos is not ideal for beginner divers (due to strong currents and deep sites), we can absolutely build a dive-friendly honeymoon elopement that includes getting certified together. As a PADI instructor since 2017 with over 3,000 dives in 10+ countries, I’ll help you find a destination that is:

• Safe for beginners
• Ethically run
• Rich in marine life
• Dreamy and romantic (think coral gardens, sea turtles, and white sand islands)

Whether you’re just starting your scuba journey or already halfway to your Rescue Diver, your elopement can be the launchpad for a lifetime of underwater adventures together.

Some beginner-friendly destinations to consider:

• USVI, St. Croix – Calm, warm water and excellent shore diving

• Indonesia, Raja Ampat – Shallow coral diversity and romantic eco-lodges

• Bahamas – Budget-friendly, vibrant marine life, and perfect honeymoon vibes

Already a Diver, But Want a More Relaxed Destination?

Not up for a remote expedition to offshore islands and the pelagic abyss? No problem. We can plan an incredible dive elopement on a liveaboard somewhere more accessible and oriented towards shallower dive, such as coral reefs in the Eluthera Keys, Bahamas, the WWII shipwrecks in the Red Sea, Egypt (and visit Luxor’s temples on the way home), or swim with whale sharks in the Maldives, to name a few!

What to Wear for Your Galápagos Elopement

When you’re eloping in the Galápagos, think lightweight, wind-friendly, and movement-ready. This isn’t the place for tight corsets or floor-length ball gowns—this is barefoot-on-a-boat, hike-up-your-skirt, salt-spray-on-your-skin kind of magic.

Here’s what photographs beautifully and feels good to wear:

• Flowy, breathable fabrics like chiffon, tulle, or gauze
• Dresses or jumpsuits that catch the wind (but won’t blow away!)
• Linen or lightweight suits, ideally in earth tones or neutrals
• Barefoot, water shoes, or strappy sandals (skip heels entirely)
• Bonus: Consider a second, swim-friendly outfit if we’re doing in-water or boat-based portraits

👉 Need more guidance? Check out my post on What to Wear for Underwater Elopement Photos for inspiration that works beautifully in the Galápagos and beyond.

Want Underwater Portraits—but Prefer Cold Mountain Vibes?

If turquoise alpine lakes are more your thing than tropical waters, you don’t have to travel to the equator for an epic in-water session. I offer underwater and in-water elopement portraits in Montana’s wild, high-altitude lakes—think Glacier National Park, Kootenai National Forest, and other surreal alpine backdrops.

You’ll get:

• A safety swimmer + styling guidance
• Split-shot portraits (half above, half below)
• Wetsuit pants, warm drinks, and a warm-up plan
• And a totally surreal experience that blends adventure + art

Curious? Here’s everything you need to know about Underwater Elopement Photography in Glacier National Park

Why I Do This Work (And Why It Matters)

Your love isn’t cookie-cutter, and your wedding day shouldn’t be either.

I’m not just another elopement photographer—I’m a PADI-certified dive instructor, divemaster guide, and a storyteller who thrives in salt, spray, and sunlight. I’ve guided couples through glacial waters in Alaska, coral reefs in Central America, and tropical islands across the Pacific.

Fun fact: In the summer of 2015, I was honored as one of Princess Cruises’ star tour guides — in recognition of my passion and expertise in creating unforgettable travel experiences guiding tours in Alaska.

And I’m here to help you build a wedding day that feels like you—wild, intimate, full of wonder, and deeply connected to the natural world.

Let’s Create the Wildest Wedding Story Ever Told

If you’re ready to ditch the traditional wedding blueprint and say yes to a ceremony surrounded by surreal landscapes, prehistoric creatures, and some of the most thrilling dives of your life—I’m ready to make it happen.

🦈 Ready to elope among hammerheads, tortoises iguanas? Inquire now to start planning your Galápagos scuba elopement. (Spaces on liveaboards fill fast, especially during peak wildlife seasons! Book early to ensure you get a private couples suite)