Means of Transportation in Galapagos

Getting around: Inter-Island Flights From one Island to Another
EMETEBE, a local airline, flies a small aircraft (Cessna plane) between the islands. It flies 3 times/week between Baltra and Isabela (Puerto Villamil) as well as between Baltra and San Cristobal. Last we heard, fares were a little over $120.00 one way. If you have the money and not the time, this is a great way to get from island to island.

You will be restricted to luggage of 30 lbs or less (non-negotiable). Emetebe Avionetas. You can also charter hourly planes between US$450 and US$ 600 (rates are subject to changes). Contact Us for inter-islands flights as per your needs.

Getting around: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana ground transportation

 

Thanks to their remote nature and precious ecosystems, ground transportation on the Galapagos Islands is a unique experience.

On all of the unpopulated islands, you’re required to travel with a guide at all times in order to prevent any damage or pollution to the environment. Your guide should show you exactly where the official paths are around each island and help you to stay within the prescribed boundaries.

As the natural habitat is so delicate, staying on the paths is incredibly important. Any rubbish, debris or clumsy footsteps could have damaging results for the environment. On the larger, inhabited islands like San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Floreana, and Isabela you’ll have a bit more freedom to wander around and explore the landscape.

Most of these islands have hiking trails that don’t require any official guide so you can get out and discover the countryside yourself. However even on these islands, it’s important to pay careful attention to where you can and cannot go, and if you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to ask.

On San Cristobal and Floreana, the main forms of transport are by bus and on foot. On Isabela and Santa Cruz, you can rent horses and bikes, a great way to see the islands and give your feet a well-earned rest. For hiking and trekking, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz are especially accessible, with trails and paths crisscrossing the landscape and fantastic vistas at every turn.
Though the beauty of the Galapagos islands will make it incredibly tempting to wander off by yourself and discover the unique habitat, traveling with guided groups will give you a much more in-depth and concise understanding of the islands and their environment.

And as mankind still has so much to learn from this extraordinary place, conserving them for future generations to discover is more important than ever.

Getting around: Ferries and speedboat transfers between ports

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. It’s a fantastic way to see most of the 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, 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 sure they are authorized by the Galapagos National Park to go to the 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 Cristobal. 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 Cristobal, you can also pay a private speedboat 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 Cristobal) 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.