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danubio azul

Galápagos Diving Cruise

8 Days Galápagos cruise on board the Danubio Azul

Length

8 Days

Ship category

Budget

Ship type

Small Yacht

Capacity

14 Passengers

Galápagos Diving Cruise

7 Reviews

Trip highlights

Two of world's best diving spots: Darwin & Wolf

Hundreds of hammerheads at Darwin's Arch

Majestic whale sharks at Wolf Island

Sunfish, Mantas, Turtles sighted regularly

The Galapatours experience

Excellent itineraries

Smaller groups than usual

English-speaking guide for all activities

Lectures in the evening

This diving cruise on board the Danubio Azul will take you to the most remote islands of the Galápagos Archipelago, Darwin and Wolf, where you will explore what are arguably some of the world's best diving spots. Depending on the season and your luck, you can expect to see whale sharks, schools with hundreds of hammerhead sharks, sea lions, penguins, mantas, eagle rays, Galápagos sharks, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, mola mola, iguanas, golden rays, seals and with a bit of luck even whales and dolphins!

Important: Please be aware that this is a cruise for advanced divers. Both Darwin and Wolf, but also other spots on this route, require experience with strong currents and a minimum of 50 logged open-water dives. Click here for more info. If you feel like this might be a challenge for you, you can book an additional diving guide to accompany you. Nitrox is not ultimately necessary, but much recommended. Please inquire with us for more details about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We're divers, too.

Your ship: Danubio Azul

Danubio Azul Galapagos
Danubio Azul Galapagos Cruise
danubio6

The Danubio Azul is a budget class yacht with amazing service on board. She offers some superb naturalist and diving itineraries, including some of the more intimate and less frequented sites the Galápagos have to offer.

The vessel carries complimentary snorkels and wetsuits, and is equipped with two tenders (or "pangas"). With a maximum of 14 guests, as opposed to the more common 16, the Danubio Azul really does give you are more intimate and friendly experience.

We personally cruised with this vessel. Featuring 5 double cabins, each with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms, the Danubio … Read more about Danubio Azul

Cabins

Double Twin
Standard cabin

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Double Twin
Standard cabin

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Map

Itinerary

Your itinerary below may vary, depending on the weather, wildlife breeding, and local conditions.

Punta Moreno walk - Nemo i galapagos cruise - gal0087

3 Days

5.0

(3)

Day Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

Enjoy a 3-day cruise extension from Puerto Ayora, including a full-day land excursion to an exquisite uninhabited island in the Galápagos. Observe the remarkable biodiversity up close and snorkel in the tropical waters in the afternoon.

From

USD 695

Galapagos Green Turtle

3 Days

4.5

(2)

Diving Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

This Mid-range 3-day cruise extension will take you from Puerto Ayora on a full-day diving trip to one of the most spectacular sites in the Galápagos Islands. Get up close to the amazing life, swim amongst sea turtles, sea lions and an endless array of colorful fish!

From

USD 610

Baltra Arrival at Baltra airport+transfer to ship
Baltra: Arrival at Baltra airportBaltra: Arrival at Baltra airport + transfer to ship - la pinta yacht galapagos cruise - gal0104 + transfer to ship - la pinta yacht galapagos cruise - gal0104

Welcome to Galápagos! After your flight lands, and you have completed the immigration process, our English-speaking guide will meet you in the Arrivals lounge if you booked your flight tickets with us for the same cruise dates. The guide will then escort you to your transfer vehicle for a short journey to your waiting ship.

If you did not book your flight tickets with us, your voucher will specify the meeting point & time. Please note that the transfer to the meeting point is not included.

Baltra Island, where your arrival airport is, was used as an important Air Force base in the Second World War. This is the primary airport for the Galápagos Islands and you'll be rubbing shoulders with fellow tourists, international naturalists and conservationists, researchers and academics, and Galápagos residents alike. The airport has been built as a "green" airport, and as well as using recycled materials in its construction, it's special design keeps the buildings relatively cool without the need for any air conditioning.

Once on board your ship, you will be introduced to the crew and given a welcome briefing as well as an important safety drill. After this you'll be shown to your cabin. While you're served a well-deserved and delicious lunch, the captain will cast off and your adventure truly starts.

Note: If you plan to spend a few days prior to the cruise in Puerto Ayora and want to do the cruise later this is no problem at all. The transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra is very easy.

Day 1
PM
Carrion Point
Santa Cruz Carrion Point
Carrion Point

Carrion Point on the eastern coast of Santa Cruz protrudes into the ocean, creating a sheltered cove which is a superb place to snorkel.

There's no landing here, you can simply dive into the water from your boat. The sheltered waters are crystal clear and you will see a wide range of marine wildlife, including Galápagos rays, sharks, and innumerable tropical fish.

A panga ride along the coast here will also allow your Galapatours guide to tell you more about the bird species and about the ecology of this part of Santa Cruz in general.

Isabela Cape Marshall
Eden Islet

Cape (or Cabo) Marshall is a good wall dive on the northeastern coast of Isabela. Depths here can be as much as 130ft and the visibility is anywhere from 20 to 70ft depending on the time of year.

Because of the geography of the site the current here is always moderate to heavy, and this is always done as a drift dive following the coast. There's little surge here, though and you'll have a mix of wall and reef diving.

Cape Marshall is a great location for giant manta rays and a wide variety of pelagic fish, and hammerhead sharks are a common sight. Galapatours visitors have also reported encounters with large schools of barracuda and sea lions who come along to join in with your dive!

Isabela Cape Marshall
Eden Islet

Cape (or Cabo) Marshall is a good wall dive on the northeastern coast of Isabela. Depths here can be as much as 130ft and the visibility is anywhere from 20 to 70ft depending on the time of year.

Because of the geography of the site the current here is always moderate to heavy, and this is always done as a drift dive following the coast. There's little surge here, though and you'll have a mix of wall and reef diving.

Cape Marshall is a great location for giant manta rays and a wide variety of pelagic fish, and hammerhead sharks are a common sight. Galapatours visitors have also reported encounters with large schools of barracuda and sea lions who come along to join in with your dive!

Darwin Darwin's Towers
Darwin's Arch / Darwin Towers

Huge schools of hammers and Galápagos sharks, whale sharks, Mantas: Darwin's Towers (formerly: Darwin's Arch) is arguably one of the world's best diving sites.

Located just off the southeast tip of Darwin Island, the islet of Darwin's Towers (formerly known as Darwin's Arch, but the arch collapsed in 2021) is a fantastic marine wonderland. The main attractions are the whale sharks and hammerhead sharks that often gather here. But there are many other species you can find - green turtles, majestic manta rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and other species of sharks are all frequent encounters.

We have met divers with over 1000 logged dives that still called it the single best diving site of their life! If you have any particular species that you are keen to see on your dive, contact one of our Galápagos experts today, and we can advise on the best dive itinerary to suit your requirements.

Darwin Darwin's Towers
Darwin's Arch / Darwin Towers

Huge schools of hammers and Galápagos sharks, whale sharks, Mantas: Darwin's Towers (formerly: Darwin's Arch) is arguably one of the world's best diving sites.

Located just off the southeast tip of Darwin Island, the islet of Darwin's Towers (formerly known as Darwin's Arch, but the arch collapsed in 2021) is a fantastic marine wonderland. The main attractions are the whale sharks and hammerhead sharks that often gather here. But there are many other species you can find - green turtles, majestic manta rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and other species of sharks are all frequent encounters.

We have met divers with over 1000 logged dives that still called it the single best diving site of their life! If you have any particular species that you are keen to see on your dive, contact one of our Galápagos experts today, and we can advise on the best dive itinerary to suit your requirements.

Darwin Darwin's Towers
Darwin's Arch / Darwin Towers

Huge schools of hammers and Galápagos sharks, whale sharks, Mantas: Darwin's Towers (formerly: Darwin's Arch) is arguably one of the world's best diving sites.

Located just off the southeast tip of Darwin Island, the islet of Darwin's Towers (formerly known as Darwin's Arch, but the arch collapsed in 2021) is a fantastic marine wonderland. The main attractions are the whale sharks and hammerhead sharks that often gather here. But there are many other species you can find - green turtles, majestic manta rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and other species of sharks are all frequent encounters.

We have met divers with over 1000 logged dives that still called it the single best diving site of their life! If you have any particular species that you are keen to see on your dive, contact one of our Galápagos experts today, and we can advise on the best dive itinerary to suit your requirements.

Wolf Shark Bay
Shark Bay

Shark Bay at Wolf Island is an underwater visitor point well known as being among THE best dive sites in Galápagos to see Hammerheads and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have alse been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals and many more iconic Galápagos creatures.

Darwin Darwin's Towers
Darwin's Arch / Darwin Towers

Huge schools of hammers and Galápagos sharks, whale sharks, Mantas: Darwin's Towers (formerly: Darwin's Arch) is arguably one of the world's best diving sites.

Located just off the southeast tip of Darwin Island, the islet of Darwin's Towers (formerly known as Darwin's Arch, but the arch collapsed in 2021) is a fantastic marine wonderland. The main attractions are the whale sharks and hammerhead sharks that often gather here. But there are many other species you can find - green turtles, majestic manta rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and other species of sharks are all frequent encounters.

We have met divers with over 1000 logged dives that still called it the single best diving site of their life! If you have any particular species that you are keen to see on your dive, contact one of our Galápagos experts today, and we can advise on the best dive itinerary to suit your requirements.

Wolf Shark Bay
Shark Bay

Shark Bay at Wolf Island is an underwater visitor point well known as being among THE best dive sites in Galápagos to see Hammerheads and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have alse been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals and many more iconic Galápagos creatures.

Wolf The Landslide Dive Site
The Landslide Dive Site

El Derrumbe is particularly well known as THE dive in Galápagos to see Hammerheads and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have alse been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals and many more iconic Galápagos creatures.

Darwin Darwin's Towers
Darwin's Arch / Darwin Towers

Huge schools of hammers and Galápagos sharks, whale sharks, Mantas: Darwin's Towers (formerly: Darwin's Arch) is arguably one of the world's best diving sites.

Located just off the southeast tip of Darwin Island, the islet of Darwin's Towers (formerly known as Darwin's Arch, but the arch collapsed in 2021) is a fantastic marine wonderland. The main attractions are the whale sharks and hammerhead sharks that often gather here. But there are many other species you can find - green turtles, majestic manta rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and other species of sharks are all frequent encounters.

We have met divers with over 1000 logged dives that still called it the single best diving site of their life! If you have any particular species that you are keen to see on your dive, contact one of our Galápagos experts today, and we can advise on the best dive itinerary to suit your requirements.

Isabela Vicente Rock Point
Vicente Rock Point

Galapatours clients regularly rate Vicente Rock Point as one of the best snorkeling and SCUBA diving sites in Galápagos, or perhaps even in the world! There is no landing here, and snorkeling is done directly from the boats. The scenery around the Point is stunning - the remains of two ancient volcanoes made this formation, and the cliffs and caves around the bay provide an amazing backdrop.

The bay is well sheltered from ocean swells, making it ideal for snorkelers of any experience. The cold-water currents bring a rich stock of food to these waters, and the bay around Vicente Rock Point is often home to feeding frenzies, with groups of whales, dolphins, Galápagos Sea Lions, tuna, Blue-footed Boobies and other marine birds all feeding together, making for spectacular sights.

Many boats also take visitors on a panga ride along the shore, offering the chance to explore some of the caves and to encounter some of the other species such as Galápagos Flightless Cormorants and a small colony of Galápagos Fur Seals.

Fernandina Cape Douglas
Cape Douglas

A dive in Cape Douglas off the west coast of Isabela Island is a fantastic opportunity to see a wide array of marine life, both above and below the surface of the water.

As you prepare for your dive you can see Galápagos Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos Penguins and Galápagos Marine Iguanas - all species you cannot see anywhere else in the world except this archipelago.

As you enter the water, you may have the opportunity to admire the powerful swimming ability of the marine iguanas as the bigger males feed on the rocks deeper under the surface.

Other species you may see in the water include Red-lipped Batfish, Horn Sharks and Mola Mola, and sometimes Baleen Whales are seen here gliding through the water.

If you have particular species that you are keen to see, contact one of our Galápagos experts today who can help you choose an itinerary that will best meet your requirements.

Santiago Cousin Rock
Cousin Rock

This is a famous site thanks to the wide variety of marine life you can encounter in just one dive, but it is for moderate to advanced divers only. Depths range from 10 to 90ft, with visibility between 30 and 60ft depending on the season. Currents here are moderate, and surges will be experienced in the shallows.

In the water you'll encounter sloping rock plate formations and a fantastic wall that drops far down out of sight. These rocky formations are home to seahorses, Galápagos black coral, octopus, a wide range of tropical fish and Galápagos sharks and hammerheads.

When you add to this the friendly sea lions who almost always come to play with divers and the elegant green turtles that cruise past, this dive site really does have it all.

Santa Cruz Charles Darwin Research Station

The world famous Charles Darwin Research Center is just a 10 minute walk from downtown Puerto Ayora, and is the home of the non-profit Charles Darwin Foundation.

Inside, you'll find exhibits about the geography, geology and climate of the Galápagos, and the evolution of her unique species. There is also lots of information on the Foundation's current conservation and education programs.

As well as conducting it's own key research, the Charles Darwin Center also hosts international scientists, and supports the work of government agencies like the Galápagos National Park.

Next door is the site of the Galápagos' first giant tortoise breeding center, where pioneering work has been done since 1965 for the preservation of these species. Here you can see newly hatched babies, up to juveniles and full-grown adults ready to be released back into the wild.

North Seymour North Seymour
A walk on North Seymour

The island is named after an English nobleman, Lord Hugh Seymour and has an area of 1.9 square kilometers and a maximum altitude of 28 meters. This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls and hosts one of the largest populations of frigatebirds. North Seymour has a visitor trail approximately 1.2 mi in length crossing the inland of the island and exploring the rocky coast.

North Seymour was formed at the same time as neighboring Baltra Island, and by the same process - an uplifting of undersea lava. This small, flat island has hiking trails throughout, allowing you to explore the arid landscape and to meet the seabirds that call North Seymour home.

North Seymour was the site of one of the earliest conservation experiments in the Galápagos. In 1934 a group of Galápagos Land Iguanas were moved there by Captain Hanckock. They have since thrivedthrived, and there are now well over 2,500 of them on the island and more than 3,000 on the neighbouring Baltra island.

The biggest attraction of North Seymour is its large colony of Blue-Footed Boobies and its Frigatebirds. These popular Galápagos species are often found together because the Frigatebirds rely on the Boobies’ fishing prowess. The Frigatebirds actively steal the Boobies catch to feed themselves!

There is also a population of Marine Iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are frequently spotted. The snorkeling here is also very good, with plenty of marine life to see including rays and reef sharks.

Baltra Transfer to Baltra airport
Transfer from ship to Baltra airport (organized)

Your Galápagos adventure ends with the arrival of your ship back at Baltra Island. After what many guests describe as an emotional goodbye to your ship and its crew, you'll board the transfer vehicle that will take you on the short journey to the airport in plenty of time for your flight back to the mainland.

Note: If you want to spend some time in Galápagos after your cruise, please let us know. This is no problem at all and the transfer from Baltra to Puerto Ayora couldn't be easier.

Punta Moreno walk - Nemo i galapagos cruise - gal0087

3 Days

5.0

(3)

Day Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

Enjoy a 3-day cruise extension from Puerto Ayora, including a full-day land excursion to an exquisite uninhabited island in the Galápagos. Observe the remarkable biodiversity up close and snorkel in the tropical waters in the afternoon.

From

USD 695

Galapagos Green Turtle

3 Days

4.5

(2)

Diving Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

This Mid-range 3-day cruise extension will take you from Puerto Ayora on a full-day diving trip to one of the most spectacular sites in the Galápagos Islands. Get up close to the amazing life, swim amongst sea turtles, sea lions and an endless array of colorful fish!

From

USD 610

Dates & Prices

When do you want to travel?

From

Until

Info

Availability

Price

5

Aug

2025

12

Aug

2025

From

USD 3,988

USD 4,590

5

Aug

2025

12

Aug

2025

Available

USD 3,988

USD 4,590

19

Aug

2025

26

Aug

2025

From

USD 4,590

19

Aug

2025

26

Aug

2025

Available

USD 4,590

2

Sep

2025

9

Sep

2025

Upon Request

2

Sep

2025

9

Sep

2025

Full

Upon Request

16

Sep

2025

23

Sep

2025

Upon Request

16

Sep

2025

23

Sep

2025

Full

Upon Request

23

Sep

2025

30

Sep

2025

From

USD 4,590

23

Sep

2025

30

Sep

2025

Available

USD 4,590

30

Sep

2025

7

Oct

2025

From

USD 4,125

USD 4,590

30

Sep

2025

7

Oct

2025

Available

USD 4,125

USD 4,590

7

Oct

2025

14

Oct

2025

From

USD 4,590

7

Oct

2025

14

Oct

2025

Available

USD 4,590

14

Oct

2025

21

Oct

2025

Upon Request

14

Oct

2025

21

Oct

2025

Full

Upon Request

21

Oct

2025

28

Oct

2025

From

USD 4,590

21

Oct

2025

28

Oct

2025

Available

USD 4,590

28

Oct

2025

4

Nov

2025

From

USD 4,590

28

Oct

2025

4

Nov

2025

Available

USD 4,590

Preferred date unavailable? Contact us

Info

Single Cabin Supplement

When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you.

What's included

All meals onboard (International and Ecuadorian Cuisine). Almost all dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice - please ask us about your needs.

Snorkeling sessions - whenever possible and allowed by the National Park.

Extensive Zodiac Rides to explore the shorelines and mangrove forests from close up.

All transport to and from the ship: Pick-up by your guide directly from the airport (if you arrive at the first day) and drop-off by your guide directly to the airport (if you leave on the last day).

English-speaking naturalist guides with you at all times during the excursions.

Briefings in the evening, during which your guide will explain what you can expect from your next day.

Lectures in the evenings about a variety of topics, including Geology, Marine Biology, Natural History, Human History, and more.

Entry costs to museums, research stations, breeding stations, etc.

We offset 100% of all CO2 emissions caused by your trip, including all transport, your cruise and your flights (should you choose to book them through us). Carbon offset is achieved through a Gold Standard Climate Protection Project. Learn more

What's not included

Alcoholic beverages

International Flights

Local Flights

Gratuities

Some Optional Activities

Credit Card charges may apply

A fuel surcharge may apply at a later stage. More info

The ship operator may charge a fee if you don't book your flights to and from Galápagos through them. More info

Credit Card charges may apply

A fuel surcharge may apply at a later stage. More info

The ship operator may charge a fee if you don't book your flights to and from Galápagos through them. More info

Reviews

David Alvarez

Danubio Azul Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Ausgezeichneter Service Die Danubio Azul bietet einen ausgezeichneten Service und fährt die ausgeschriebene Route genau entland. Die Besatzung ist super ausgebildet. Quelle: https://goo.gl/AoMvZP

Fareham

Danubio Azul Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Want to go back on Danubio Azul Guide George excellent. Very informative and always available. He got on well with all of us and was a good diver and snorkeller. Food. How the chef made us meals I do not know. They were excellent. After every trip ashore there were little snacks and juice waiting. Boat. Nice comfortable boat except on night cruising. You need sea sickness tablets. It's a small boat so probably moves more than a big one. The rooms were cleaned every day. Captain Wilson. Very pleasant and always on the look out for interesting animals. Crew were very pleasant and helpful. Trips to islands. Always very good with tons to see. Snorkelling at Devil's Crown was outstanding. Only issue was getting back on Panga after snorkelling as there are no ropes and being hauled on board was not dignified We had a Taxi laid on from Puerto Ayora to the boat. Free. Make sure you tip well. These guys and ladies deserve it. Feedback from: https://goo.gl/3rcHFG

Fareham

Danubio Azul Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Ich will wieder zurück! Der Guide George ist exzellent, sehr gut informiert und immer verfügbar. Er hat sich mit allen gut verstanden und war ein gute Taucher und Schnorchler. Essen: wie der Küchenchef es geschafft hat zu kochen, keine Ahnung. Es war jedoch köstlich. Nach jedem Ausflug warteten Snacks und frisch gepresste Säfte auf uns. Schiff: schönes, gemütliches Schiff abgesehen von den nächtlichen Bewegungen - man braucht anti-Übelkeitstabletten. Da es ein kleines Schiff ist, bewegt es sich mehr, als ein großes. Die Zimmer wurden täglich gereinigt. Kapitän Wilson war großartig und spähte immer nach Tieren für uns. Die Crew war hilfsbereit und ging großartig mit den Gästen um. Die Inselausflüge waren immer toll, mit einer Menge Sehenswürdigkeiten. Das Schnorcheln am Devil´s Crown war phänomenal. Es war etwas problematisch wieder zurück ins Schlauchboot zu klettern aber man schafft es. Versichern Sie sich, dass Sie gutes Trinkgeld dalassen. Diese Männer und Frauen haben es wirklich verdient. Quelle: https://goo.gl/3rcHFG

FAQs

After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 20% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.

Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.

Under Ecuadorian law, if you are only temporarily visiting the Galápagos then you are exempted from the requirement to pay any customs charges on items that you are bringing in to the country. This includes new or used portable electronics such as cameras, laptops, music players, etc.

You MUST NOT bring any agricultural or plant materials or any unprocessed food products to the islands. To avoid problems at customs and bag check we suggest only traveling to Galápagos with pre-wrapped snack products such as chocolate bars, etc. Food is plentiful and freshly cooked on your Galapatours cruise, with a wide range of choice on offer to suit all tastes - you really don't need to bring anything with you!

As the Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, and all flights to the Galapagos depart from mainland Ecuador, you will need to enter Ecuador first.

Entering Ecuador: Every traveler is responsible for checking the individual visa requirements for their nationality. We recommend using https://www.passportindex.org/ to find out if you need a visa for Ecuador. At the time of writing, U.S. citizens do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. Similarly, visitors from the UK, Germany, and most other European countries do not require a visa for the Galapagos Islands. Upon entering the country, you will be given a visa stamp that permits you to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days. This also applies to many other countries, but please verify the current visa regulations yourself before booking any tickets. In any case, your passport must be valid for at least six more months from the date of entry into Ecuador. You will also need to show proof of onward or return travel out of Ecuador to customs and immigration officials upon arrival; this can be a return or onward airline ticket. If you do not meet these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country.

Entering Galapagos: To enter Galápagos, the first official requirement is a valid Ecuadorian tourist visa stamp in your passport - this should have been issued to you upon arrival to mainland Ecuador.

This is a multi-layered question, that we have tried to answer in various articles. Please click on the corresponding links to learn more about the different topics. To recap:

  • Passport & Visa: Tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands must have a valid passport and, in most cases, can obtain a visa upon arrival in Ecuador. Click here to read more.
  • Luggage Check: When leaving Ecuador's main land, tourists' luggage will be checked for restricted items by the Tourist Control and Certification (TCC) to ensure the preservation of the islands' unique environment and wildlife. This check costs 20USD and is done at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil, before checking in for your flight to Galapagos.
  • Entrance Fee: A Galapagos National Park entrance fee must be paid upon arriving in Galapagos.
  • Travel Insurance: A travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation and medical expenses. is highly recommended, and even obligatory on board of some ships.
  • Vaccinations: At the following link you can find out more about vaccinations for a Galápagos trip.

To protect the fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos, all travelers must complete two essential biosecurity procedures before their flight. First, travelers aged 18 and over are required to fill out the mandatory online Goods Declaration form up to 48 hours before departure. This declaration requires you to report any food, plants, seeds, camping equipment, or recent contact with animals. After submitting the form, you will receive a QR code via email, which must be presented to authorities upon arrival in the Galápagos.

Second, you must take your luggage to the SICGAL inspection counter at the airport in either Quito or Guayaquil. Here, officials will conduct a physical check of your bags to ensure no prohibited items are being brought to the islands.

To make sure you don't have any trouble here, please do not attempt to travel with any foods other than small quantities of pre-wrapped snack items like chocolate bars or similar, and certainly don't have any plants or plant materials in your bags. Once checked, you will receive an approval label to attach to your bags, and you can then make your way to your airline check in.

Arrival at Quito Airport: SICGAL Luggage Check and TCC Card for your flight to Galápagos
SIGAL Luggage Check at Quito Airport

The Galápagos National Park Entrance fee is levied on all visitors to the islands. For foreign visitors, the entry fee is 200 USD per person (100 USD for children under 12 years old). If you are a citizen of a country in South America you might pay less, check here for more information.

Important: This fee must be paid, in cash, at the airport of arrival. If you do not pay, you will not be allowed to leave the terminal - so please make sure you have the means to pay the Galápagos entrance fee! Therefore, the payment of this entrance fee is indispensable to take part in a Galapagos cruise.

The entrance fees collected will be allocated to various local entities to support sustainability and community development in the Galápagos Islands. The proceeds are split between several important institutions as follows:

  • 40% to the Galápagos National Park
  • 20% to Galápagos Municipalities
  • 10% to the National Institute
  • 10% to Galápagos Province Local Government
  • 5% to the National Navy
  • 5% to the Ministry of Environment
  • 5% to Quarantine and Pest Control
  • 5% to the Galápagos Marine Reserve

For more information about the entrance fee structure and the distribution of funds, please visit the official website of the Galápagos National Park Administration.

Entrance Fee Galapagos National Park
Galápagos Diving Cruise

5.0

(7)

Budget

From

USD 3,988



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