Galapagos travel guide - sea transportation

The best way to see the majority of islands is through an 8-day cruise. People often opt for the 5 or 4-day tour to either the southern islands or northern islands. Because each and every island is so unique and interesting, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we recommend you go for the 8 days.

Most of the tours begin at SANTA CRUZ or SAN CRISTOBAL ISLANDS. It’s a fantastic way to see most of islands and what they have to offer. Plus, there is always a naturalist guide on every ship ready to explain the ways of the islands to you. Learn and enjoy.

Bigger and more expensive cruise ships often go all the way up to Genovesa and hit the west side of Isabela, visiting Fernandina as well. Because the route is so far, the ships are larger, carrying more passengers, and are also more expensive.

If you’re an advanced diver, ready to visit the underwater world in search of marine life, we offer charter and individual dive trips all the way up to Darwin and Wolf, two rocks surrounded by amazing sea animals: whale sharks, hammerheads, galapagos and white-tipped sharks, whales and more. Diving in the Galapagos is only for advanced divers because the currents are strong, waters are cold, and immersions are deep.

Visit our galapagos yachts, cruise ships and diving pages for more information.

Other ways of getting around the Islands are:

Day tour boats
There are several options departing from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal. Make shure they are authorized by the Galapagos National Park to take you to visitor sites. These are short 1 day cruise adventures to nearby Islands. Prices can range from $50 - $90 per person. Best negotiate.

Cargo Ships
There are some cargo ships running from SANTA CRUZ to Isabela or San Cristobal that charge a minimal fee ($7.00/passenger) to transport people from island to island. They are erratic, however, and we don’t guarantee that you’ll get one in the first week on the islands. The trip will generally take 7-8 hours, and so bring a little bit of food and a sleeping pad for the night ahead.

Ask at the Capitania de puerto (port Captainship), the office right off of the boat docks in Puerto Ayora, past the park on the Avenida Charles Darwin. They can tell you when boats are leaving for Isabela or San Cristobol. The captains of the boats don’t have to register until 24 hours beforehand, and so you might not know until the very day. Just be patient and ready!

Private Speed Boats
To move from SANTA CRUZ to Isabela or San Cristobol, you can also pay a private speed boat to take you to the other islands. They usually charge around $30.00 - $60.00. Try to negotiate, especially if there are several of you. Ask at the boat docks and the restaurant Salvavidas(lifeguard) in front of the docks in Puerto Ayora. That’s usually where the captains hang out, and they would know who is leaving for another island.

You can also charter these boats to take you to other islands nearby; however, because the distance between Floreana and SANTA CRUZ is so long, it’s very difficult to get a private boat to go there. The best way to get to those islands is via a cruise or by reaching San Cristobal or Isabela first and then hiring a boat at the docks from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno or Puerto Villamil to Puerto Velasco in Floreana.

There is a boat service at the Capitanía del Puerto that travels between different islands. Other boat services are offered by Estrella del Mar from Puerto Villamil (Isabela) to Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz). Check days and times as well as prices. The trip takes about 6-1/2 hours. The other is Galamar from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal) to Puerto Ayora on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, returning on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (5 1/2 hours), US$40 one way; this boat can also be booked for visits to Floreana and Isabela.

Water taxi
Will transport you from your own yacht to the wharf when required.