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

Two New Lodges for Divers to Augment Three Sister Island Eco-Lodges - Will Serve Red Mangrove’s New Dive Academy Scheduled to Open Spring 2011

QUITO, ECUADOR, Dec. 22, 2010 – 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 multi-island lodge-based diving packages of varying length designed for beginner to expert. Over 45 separate dive sites are accessible off of four different islands, geared to interest and ability.

As a PADI-certified operation Red Mangrove also has the ability to offer classroom and open water training and certification as well as a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) course designed as an introduction to scuba diving. In a matter of a few hours most anyone can see what it is like to breathe underwater and become familiar with scuba equipment without going through the full certification process.

Visitors relax into an intact, solution-oriented, sustainable vacation while discovering the intra-island beauty of five distinct islands: Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Floreana, Tortuga Island and Isabela. Pre- and post-trip excursions of mainland Ecuador can be arranged by utilizing a sixth lodge, Red Mangrove Samai Lodge on the Pacific Coast mainland.

About Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges
Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges in 2007 introduced a land-based alternative to exploring the Galapagos that heretofore was a cruise-only destination. With upscale waterfront lodges strategically situated on Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana, it is the only company offering high quality, branded accommodations and services on multiple islands in the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador. Because it is land-based, Red Mangrove can offer a more extensive roster of activities and more flexibility than traditional cruise options.

The customary way to experience Red Mangrove’s hospitality is to spend a number of nights on each island accessed by small boat and/or aircraft. With 14 guest rooms, Aventura Lodge on Santa Cruz is distinguished by its unique architectural design which blends its mangrove forest and seafront environments tastefully and responsibly. Its location boasts generous views of Puerto Ayora Bay. Separated from the ocean by a white sand, palm-lined beach, Isabela Lodge offers eight rooms outside the sleepy fisherman’s village of Puerto Villamil on one of the most volcanically active islands on Earth. Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge is a romantic gathering of 10 private pine cottages just a five minute walk from the village of Puerto Velasco Ibarra (population 150). Red Mangrove Divers Lodge Santa Cruz on Santa Cruz Island has 11 rooms near the Red Mangrove Dive Academy. Red Mangrove Isabela Divers Lodge features 5-rooms adjacent to scenic Puerto Villamil. On the mainland coast of Ecuador Samai Lodge with 11 rooms is an inn-and-spa suited for recollection, relaxation and wellness surrounded by the sounds of the jungle and crashing surf.

Contact Information:
Phone: 1.888.254.3190 or 1.402.953.0261
Email Form: http://www.redmangrove.com/contact-us/
Website: http://www.redmangrove.com/

For photos and more information on how Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges is making a difference with responsible tourism contact:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / sara@widnesspr.com
Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821 / dave@travelnewssource.com
Website and Portfolio of Recent Releases: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges in 2007 introduced a land-based alternative to exploring the Galapagos that heretofore was a cruise-only destination. With upscale waterfront lodges strategically situated on Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana, it is the only company offering high quality, branded accommodations and services on multiple islands in the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador. Because it is land-based, Red Mangrove can offer a more extensive roster of activities and more flexibility than traditional cruise options.

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This release was published on openPR.