Floreana : Profile

Location

Floreana, also known as Charles or Santa Maria Island, is the southeasternmost island in the archipelago. It is one of the smaller of the major islands, with an area of 173 km² and a maximum altitude of 640 metres. It is one of the islands with the most interesting human history and one of the earliest to be inhabited.

Clearance

Floreana is more of an “out-island” as it does not have a scheduled ferry service and you must visit as part of an excursion, or go on your own with a 5 port autographo. Note that not all agents "allow" a visit to Floreana, and those that do insist that cruisers promise to adhere to the strict rules and regulations, which have been abused by previous generations of cruisers.

Docking

The approach is straightforward and yachts can anchor in 45 ft depth outside the moored boats, south of the wharf and port captain’s office, and near to Black Beach.

Described as a “reasonably protected harbour”, Puerto Velasco Ibarra is open to the west and can be very rolly.

No WIFI on Floreana.

Last updated April 2010

Related Reports

Agent Recommendations for the Galapagos (12 Apr 2012)

Galapagos Visit December 2011 (27 Jan 2012)

Clearing Mainland Ecuador for Galapagos (17 Dec 2011)

Planning to Cruise Central America? (11 Sep 2011)

Recommendations for an excellent mechanic in Puerto Ayora (Academy Bay) (27 Jun 2011)

South Pacific Ocean Passage Planning (25 May 2011)

Essential Information When Visiting The Galapagos (12 May 2011)

Clearing In and Out of Galapagos Islands – With an Autografo (21 Mar 2011)

A Note about the Galapagos National Park  (14 May 2010)

Seven Weeks in the Galapagos (03 May 2010)

Galapagos : Chased by Unlit Boats (19 Apr 2010)

Emergency Stop in San Cristobal (26 Mar 2010)

Panama-Galapagos-Ecuador (26 Sep 2009)

Overcharged and Threatened in the Galapagos – San Cristobal (23 Aug 2009)

Galapagos - Bad Customs Delays (22 Jul 2009)

Panama to Callao, Peru in June  (27 Apr 2009)

World ARC Visit To The Galapagos (06 Mar 2009)

Wreck Bay Thieves (01 Mar 2009)

Panama To The Galapagos (10 Feb 2009)

Galapagos to Hawaii in February (05 Feb 2009)

Mexico to Galapagos (11 Jul 2008)

Pacific Planning Advice - by Jimmy Cornell (10 Jul 2008)

Galapagos to Mexico (24 Jun 2008)

Galàpagos - Paradise Lost (14 Jun 2008)

Galapagos Check In Wreck Bay, San Cristobal (22 May 2008)

Panama to Chile - Advice Sought  (15 May 2008)

Galapagos to Hawaii  (15 May 2008)

Panama to Victoria, B.C. (14 May 2008)

Response To Galapagos : Forget Cruising Permit for Small Yachts! (13 Mar 2008)

Cruising in Galapagos - update on fees involved as of Feb 2008 (03 Mar 2008)

New Regulations In Ecuador Easier For Yachts (30 Jan 2008)

South Pacific Logistics (21 Jan 2008)

Galapagos May 2007 Report (24 Oct 2007)

Tide Information In South Pacific (17 Oct 2007)

Galapagos - Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz - Report (24 Sep 2007)

Fishing Boats - Panama to Galapagos (15 Sep 2007)

Stringent New Regulations For Yachts In Ecuador (30 Aug 2007)

Report On Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador (29 Aug 2007)

Report On Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (16 May 2007)

Currents around the Galapagos Island (20 Apr 2007)

Cruising Report On The Galapagos Islands (16 Apr 2007)

Galapagos Islands - Using an agent (26 Jun 2006)

Annother Positive Panama-Galapagos Crossing (03 Jun 2006)

Galapagos Update: Clearing In (27 Apr 2006)

Strange Encounters Near Galapagos (07 Feb 2006)

Weather Forecast Services for South Pacific (24 Jan 2006)

Panama Canal To Galapagos Cruising Report 2005 (12 Jul 2005)

Cruising Notes for the Galapagos 2005 (24 May 2005)

Contrasting Experiences Clearing Into Galapagos (24 May 2005)

Positive Experience From Panama Canal To Galapagos (11 Apr 2005)

25th Anniversary of Moon Handbooks South Pacific (24 Jun 2004)

Refuelling in the Marquesas (03 May 2004)

The Galapagos Are Special (21 Oct 2003)

Latest Cruising Report from Galapagos & French Polynesia (23 Jun 2003)

FAQs on Ecuador (30 May 2003)

Puerto Villamil, Isabela, April 2003 (14 Apr 2003)

Galapagos Visit (18 Apr 2001)

Charles Darwin Research Station (18 Apr 2001)

Related News

Good News in Ecuador for Yachts (16 May 2011)

Galapagos New Rules (14 Dec 2010)

Galapagos – New Rules for Next Season (26 Aug 2010)

Galapagos – A Reminder of Entry Regulations - Updated (06 Nov 2009)

Galapagos - Unsettling Incident (21 Oct 2009)

Plans to Restore the Natural Integrity of the Galapagos Islands (16 Aug 2009)

Galapagos - Scandal of Corruption in 2008 (29 Oct 2008)

Galapagos: Forget Cruising Permit for Small Yachts! (16 Nov 2007)

Galapagos Restrictions (03 Nov 2006)

Ecuadorean Authorities Ease Galapagos Restrictions (05 Apr 2006)

Ecuador’s Puerto Lucia Provides A Perfect Base En Route to the South Seas (05 Sep 2003)