Anchoring and clearance in Galapagos

What the Park checks on a private yacht, the rules for foreign private vessels, and the arrival inspection and landing rules.

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Inspection

What the Park checks before a tour

Article 94 of the Galapagos National Park statute (last modified 27 March 2019) lists what the Park inspects on a private foreign or national vessel before it tours the islands.

Port papersAn arrival certificate from the Galapagos Port Captaincy and a departure clearance (zarpe) from the relevant port captaincy.

Navy invoiceAn invoice paid to the Ecuadorian Navy for lights, buoys and anchorage.

PeopleThe National Police migration certificate for receiving and dispatching the vessel, the passports of crew and guests with their numbers and names, the total number of people aboard and the licence of the naturalist guide.

EnvironmentThat no bunker fuel, diesel oil or other unauthorised fuel is used, and that the vessel has treatment for bilge, black water and grey water and systems for organic and inorganic solid waste.

After the tourThe Park inspects again at the end. If it finds a breach it can retain the amount of the compliance guarantee.

Check the rules for your passport.

Rules

Rules for foreign private vessels

Banned activities

Under article 95 of the statute (last modified 27 March 2019), foreign private non-commercial vessels may not dive, sport fish, or use helicopters or submarines in the protected areas.

Persons list

Article 73 of the 2017 regulation says the people who visit sites must be only those who entered Galapagos on that vessel. The applicant shows this with a notarised or apostilled copy of the zarpe from the port of origin. Check the rules for your passport.

Ports

Arrival checks and landing

Arrival inspection

The ABG procedure P06 (version 2.1, November 2019) says boats from abroad, their crew and baggage are inspected on arrival, with a representative of the maritime authority. Organic rubbish is sealed in two bags and taken to the incinerator in the inspector's presence. The captain or the vessel's representative pays the incineration cost.

Landing

The 2017 regulation (article 72) says passengers and crew of non-commercial vessels that arrive at an authorised port may land and buy goods and services from local providers after they pay the Transit Control Card and the conservation fee.

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