New Scuba Dive Lodges on Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands in Galapagos

 Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges Opens Scuba Dive Lodges on Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands in Galapagos

New Facilities Augment Three Sister Island Lodges -

Will Serve Red Mangrove‚s New Dive Academy Scheduled to Open Spring 2011

QUITO, ECUADOR, Dec. 21, 2010 ˆ Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges announces the Dec. 1 openings of the 9-room Santa Cruz Divers Lodge in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island and the 5-room Isabela Divers Lodge in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island in the Galapagos.

This brings to six the number of lodges owned and operated by Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges, the region‚s leading hospitality company for active adventure. Currently there are five island-based accommodations with a total of 46 rooms and another, Red Mangrove Samai Lodge on mainland Ecuador featuring 11 guest rooms.

Hernan Rodas, visionary founder and owner, said the two new lodges represent his strategy to create a world-class dive destination in the Galapagos by utilizing sustainable, small, island-based accommodations scattered throughout the Galapagos for multi-island land-based dive packages. In addition, plans are in place for a new state-of-the-art dive academy now under construction with anticipated completion in the spring of 2011.

„We have experienced a dramatic increase in diving the Galapagos. Our two newest lodges developed in the casual but comfortable Red Mangrove style will become a welcome escape for anyone wishing to explore the underwater world of these enchanted isles,‰ Rodas said.

The Red Mangrove Santa Cruz Divers Lodge with hot tub, a library/lounge and on-premise dining is a short walk from the water and adjacent to the Red Mangrove Dive Academy set to open up in the spring. The Dive Academy will be a full-service diver education center, the largest in Ecuador, with a 20-foot-deep training pool, classrooms and state-of-the-art diving equipment. See:http://www.redmangrove.com/lodging/santa-cruz-divers.html  

Red Mangrove‚s Isabela Divers Lodge is located within steps of the sea. Built in 2005 with a linear design, large windows invite natural light into every room. There are spectacular views of Isabela Island from the white sand beach bordered by swaying palm trees. Three meals a day are served in the "Coco Restaurant" located adjacent to the lodge. All rooms have private bathroom, hot water, hair dryer, safety box, air conditioning, cable television, wireless internet and laundry service. See:

http://www.redmangrove.com/lodging/isabela-divers.html

All-inclusive lodge/dive packages from $943.50 per person for two days and three nights (25 percent discount for ages 10 and under) include all meals, soft drinks, excursions with English-speaking naturalist guides, on some islands free use of bikes, use of snorkeling gear and diving equipment (except for dive computers that can be rented separately).

Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges also features weeklong land-based dive programs that are usually $500 to $1,000 less per person than a live-aboard dive program. Land based diving also offers the opportunity to do additional training while diving with a PADI instructor. Beginning divers may get their Open Water Certification and seasoned divers may obtain their Advanced Certification and Specialty Certifications such as Underwater Photography.

Typically, divers who arrange their scuba experience through Red Mangrove will choose from a variety of [Back to Press Releases Main]