Ecuador (Galápagos): Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
4 harbours
Ecuador (Galápagos): 4 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: US dollar
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen; the site covers only the Galápagos. Every yacht needs an agent and, in advance, the Autógrafo, the navy permit (DIGEIM) with an itinerary of up to four ports, according to sailors for 30 days with a 30-day extension (agents quote 60 days), applied for at least 45, better 60 days ahead. The first port is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal), Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) or Puerto Villamil (Isabela), as agreed with the agent; Floreana is not a port of entry. Without an Autógrafo only an emergency stop (arribo forzoso) at the port captain's discretion, at most 72 hours in Puerto Ayora or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. At most 60 days a year in the islands.
Ausreise: Obtain the international zarpe through the agent about 24 hours in advance, usually in Puerto Ayora; without it the next country will not clear you in.
Documents: Passport valid for six months on entry; Germans visa-free up to 90 days per twelve months. Boat papers, insurance, radio licence and AIS, crew list, zarpe from the last port. Biosecurity: certificates of fumigation, disinfection, rodent control and a hull cleaning no more than two days before departure, issued by the plant protection authority of the country of departure or a company it has approved; the agent reports the arrival 72 hours in advance.
Fees: National park entry since 1 August 2024 for foreigners aged twelve and over 200 USD, under that 100 USD; transit control card (TCT) 20 USD per person. Port, immigration, Autógrafo and agent together, according to sailors, at least 2,000 to 3,000 USD for 40 feet and three people for two weeks; a repeat hull inspection 150 USD.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Semidiurnal tides with a range of 1.3 to 2 m in Puerto Ayora; current around 1.5 kn, mostly setting west. Reefs and a buoyed channel off Puerto Villamil, only in good light; in Wreck Bay off Puerto Baquerizo Moreno a wreck by the red buoy and surf at the lighthouse. Anchor only in the four inhabited harbours, between the islands only with a zarpe. Sea lions climb onto sterns and dinghies.
Nature: The Galápagos are a national park and marine reserve, plus since 2022 the Hermandad reserve towards Cocos: rangers also check yachts in transit. On arrival divers inspect the hull, propeller and seacocks; if there is fouling the yacht must go far offshore to clean it (according to sailors 60 nm). Since March 2026 every vessel is inspected before anyone goes ashore. Do not take unprocessed plant and animal products from abroad ashore or eat them; a black-water tank is compulsory, waste separated, AIS always on; kayaks, SUPs and drones are prohibited. Anchoring outside the harbours only with a permit from the park and a naturalist guide on board (according to sailors 200 USD per person and day).
Tropical storm season: No tropical cyclones. Warm and rainy from December to May, cool and dry with garúa from June to November; an El Niño (NOAA reported a strong one in October 2026) brings warmer water, more rain and little wind on the way to the Marquesas.
Emergency: ECU 911; in the protected area report (GALREP) via Puerto Ayora Radio; VHF channel 16.
Sources: Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos: Tasa de ingreso 2025, Agencia de Bioseguridad para Galápagos (ABG): Reglamento D-ABG-033-05-2018, Pacific Puddle Jump: A Boater's Guide to the Galápagos (2026), Noonsite: Galápagos, Auswärtiges Amt: Ecuador, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Ecuador: Galápagos (San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana)
Frequently asked questions
Ecuador (Galápagos): Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen; the site covers only the Galápagos. Every yacht needs an agent and, in advance, the Autógrafo, the navy permit (DIGEIM) with an itinerary of up to four ports, according to sailors for 30 days with a 30-day extension (agents quote 60 days), applied for at least 45, better 60 days ahead. The first port is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal), Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) or Puerto Villamil (Isabela), as agreed with the agent; Floreana is not a port of entry. Without an Autógrafo only an emergency stop (arribo forzoso) at the port captain's discretion, at most 72 hours in Puerto Ayora or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. At most 60 days a year in the islands.
Ecuador (Galápagos): Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months on entry; Germans visa-free up to 90 days per twelve months. Boat papers, insurance, radio licence and AIS, crew list, zarpe from the last port. Biosecurity: certificates of fumigation, disinfection, rodent control and a hull cleaning no more than two days before departure, issued by the plant protection authority of the country of departure or a company it has approved; the agent reports the arrival 72 hours in advance.
Ecuador (Galápagos): What fees apply?
National park entry since 1 August 2024 for foreigners aged twelve and over 200 USD, under that 100 USD; transit control card (TCT) 20 USD per person. Port, immigration, Autógrafo and agent together, according to sailors, at least 2,000 to 3,000 USD for 40 feet and three people for two weeks; a repeat hull inspection 150 USD.
Ecuador (Galápagos): What is the emergency number at sea?
ECU 911; in the protected area report (GALREP) via Puerto Ayora Radio; VHF channel 16.
Ecuador (Galápagos): How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 4 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.