Galapagos - Documents

Your agent will list the documents required to enter the Galapagos. These will include:-

• Autógrafo
• Passports (and color copies of all passports)
• Health Insurance Cover for all crew
• Boat registration details (and good quality copy)
• AIS: Your tracking system must be switched on and active while you are in Galapagos waters and an AIS certificate is required.
• Fumigation of yacht in last port and certificate to prove it.
• Black water certification for the boat (can be a statement from the skipper regarding the presence of holding tank).
• Antifoul certificate showing when the last coating of anti-fouling was applied (can be an invoice or even letter from the marina/boatyard).
• A certificate showing that the hull was professionally cleaned before leaving your previous port is also advisable.

Autógrafo

Every yacht coming to the Galapagos must have an Autógrafo organised in advance of their arrival with an agent. At least 60 days in advance is recommended as it normally takes six weeks to process all paperwork. An Autógrafo permits a stay of up to 30 days with the possibility of a 30-day extension.

Applications for an Autógrafo may not always be successful. Apparently, large crews of more than four or five are not desired, as they are suspected of being on an unofficial charter. Any type of chartering by foreign yachts in the national park is not permitted.

Each Autógrafo is always an individual permit and itineraries are customized. Yachts may be able to visit the following inhabited ports as well as the port of entry:

• Pto. Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz (Academy Bay)
• Pto. Villamil, Isla Isabela
• Pto. Seymour, Isla Baltra
• Pto. Ibarra, Isla Floreana

Some agents, for example, will "allow" Floreana as one of the five ports if applying for a five port Autografo, others not. Also, note that each port on the itinerary can only be visited once, it is not a permit to just cruise wherever you want.

It should be firmly understood that the permit only allows the yacht to visit the ports listed, and not any anchorages around it. Once anchored in port, further exploration can be done onshore and for some sites you may require a registered guide to accompany you. In the ports there are several companies offering walking tours and sea excursions.

Fumigation & Sanitation

The Ministry of Environment official is interested in fumigation and sanitation. He will want to see a fumigation certificate and a sanitation certificate.

Fumigation Certificate:

Fumigation of the yacht must be carried out at the last port before Galapagos. It is not enough to simply present a certificate, the yacht must really have been sprayed at the last port of call. Certificates from Panama are accepted but it must confirm the following:

• The vessel was fumigated against insects, rats, mosquitos, etc.
• Method of fumigation
• Used products
• Quantity (dosage)
• Date of fumigation
• Date of expiry
• It also must be valid during the whole stay in the Galapagos.

Fumigation does not cause any damage and is a similar spray to that used in airplanes. Before fumigation all fresh food and cutlery has to be removed and air conditioning turned off. You will need to leave the boat several hours before boarding after fumigation, for the fumes to die down. Approximate cost US$150.

Sanitation Certificate:

A sanitation certificate (black water holding tank confirmation) can be self-certified. This can be as simple as a statement from the skipper that the boat has a holding tank for sewage and black water. Make your own including details of your holding tanks then sign, date it and ideally boat stamp it. In addition, there must be posted below (near the engine compartment) a notice stating 'Do not discharge Black waters into the sea'. Boats over 400GRT require both black and grey holding tanks.

Last updated:  January 2024