Galapagos - Facts

Galapagos FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat:  Every yacht coming to the Galapagos must have prior permission (an Autógrafo).  All vessel hulls must be clean and free of marine growth (plants and animals) to prevent the introduction of invasive species.See Formalities for all the details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: All visitors can stay in the Galapagos Islands for up to 60 days per year. A Transit Control Card (TCT) is required and may be completed online. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter?   The main Ports of Entry for the Galapagos are Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal), Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz),  and Puerto Villamil (Isabela). You must communicate and arrange with your agent which port of entry you wish for first arrival and check-in.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? It is not cheap to visit these islands. An agent is needed to arrange the Autógrafo prior to arrival and it is also mandatory to use an agent to check in with the port captain for any stay of more than one day. There also are numerous fees to pay including a mandatory entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park. See Fees for more information.
What security concerns should I know about? Cruisers report having very few security concerns. However, be aware of Sea Lions coming aboard, particularly when in San Christobal. See Security for more info.

Galapagos Facts for Sailors

• The Galapagos are known the world over for their tame and unique wildlife, sea lions, birds and iguanas, living amidst a barren volcanic scenery. Made famous by Charles Darwin who visited the archipelago with the ship “Beagle” in 1835, the Islands are today a national park, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• The islands are volcanic and some of the volcanoes are still active. The highest peak is the volcano Wolf, some 1707 meters (5600 ft)above sea level. The vegetation is sparse.
• The archipelago consists of 13 main islands and six smaller isles.
• The islands are one of the 20 provinces of Ecuador and the Ecuadorian authorities take their custody of this wildlife sanctuary seriously. This is the reason for the difficulty for yachts to get permission to cruise these islands. In the past some yachtsmen have abused the privilege, by stealing eggs, shooting birds and causing the destruction of the environment.
• The islands have very strict waste management and disposal system, put in place by the WWF. To be sure you are properly preparing en-route any recyclable waste for disposal in the Galapagos, read this article before departing on passage.
• Useful information for cruisers - see Yachting Essentials and this cruiser report: Galapagos - Well Worth a Visit Despite the Expense.