Galapagos - Restrictions

Environmental Risk Assessment

On arrival in Galapagos, officers from the Galapagos Quarantine and Inspection System (SICGAL) will board your boat to undertake an environment risk assessment of your boat. This requires alot of preparation in advance of your arrival to ensure you pass. See Biosecurity for full details.

Anchoring

Yachts are forbidden to anchor anywhere but in the official ports on each island and each of these places must be listed on your itinerary. Plan carefully as you can only visit these ports once and may not be allowed to back-track.

NOTE: The National Park area and Marine Reserve extends 40 miles out from a line drawn between the outermost point of each island.

Map © National Geographic Society

Vessels arriving in Galapagos entering the protection zone established by law, i.e. 40 nautical miles from the baseline, are subject to regulations governing the transport of products that may endanger Galapagos.

National Park Rules:

Parque Nacional Galapagos

No crew can go ashore in the national park without an official guide (except for a handful of sites where access without a guide is permitted - see below). Yachts may be boarded at any time to check if one has a guide. The penalty is a fine for stopping at outer islands without permission. All the local boats have guides on board who are in radio contact with the port authority and will immediately report any yacht breaking the regulations.

If intending to explore the National Park in depth, an Official Naturalist Guide has to be hired. This guide will sleep on board and accompany the shore party BUT as no dinghy may be left on the shore, one crew member will be required to remain with the yacht. The process is long and expensive. There are about 40 places around the islands where tourists with guides may go ashore.

The following sites are those that can be visited on your own (with a pre-arranged Autógrafo) without a day tour or certified Naturalist guide on the three main islands:

San Cristóbal

• Centro de Interpretacion
• Cerro Tijeretas
• Carola Beach
• Playa Mann Beach
• Loberia Beach
• Puerto Chino Beach
• Laguna El Junco
• Galapaguera: Tortoise Center

Santa Cruz

• Media Luna (highlands - The tortoise reserve)
• Las Grietas
• Tortuga Bay
• German Beach
• Playa Punta Estrada

Isabela

• Beach next to the main dock
• Concha de Perla
• Centro de Crianza
• Flamingos Lagoon
• Muro de las Lágrimas
• Las Tintoreras

Fuel:

See Yachting Essentials.

Dinghies:

You can only use your dinghy to go to and from the town dock; any other use is illegal and the Armada will be notified. You are not permitted to leave your dinghy at the dock.

If you choose to use your dinghy, it is a  requirement to wear life jackets. The local maritime authority enforces this from to time.

Drones:

Drone use is banned in the Galapagos unless you have a permit that allows you to use drones for commercial purposes or research. Operators with a permit must ensure that the laws are obeyed when flying in Galapagos. No drones can be flown over towns in the Galapagos.

General Rules:

• Stay on the trails. The trails at all visitor sites are very well marked and your guides will make sure you follow this rule. It helps preserve the natural habitats and keeps both you and the wildlife safe.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from wildlife (even if they approach you). This is the best way to avoid disturbing them.
• Never give food to any wildlife.
• No smoking.
• Lifejackets must be worn when using a dinghy.

Last updated: July 2025