Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Wreck Bay : Profile

Location

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos. It is located along the southwestern coast of San Cristóbal, the easternmost island in the archipelago and consequently is a popular choice with cruisers for clearing in as the closest port to the mainland.

Tour boats do come and go frequently so there might be occasional discussions with other vessels. Sea lions are problematic.

Clearance

Galapagos does not recognise or allow the normal 72hr breathing space to rest etc. before checking in. They allow 12hrs only before charges apply. In the 12 hours you can take provisions and water. After this time you are allowed a max. of 20 days.

The Navy here will come on board to do an inspection, and check for foreign food, animals, guns & contraband.

It is necessary to use an agent to check in with the Port Captain for any stay of more than 1 day. The agent acts as a go-between for your dealings with the Port Captain and he will collect the fees for your entry into the harbour.

However, it is necessary to go ashore for immigration. Procedures are reported to be simple. Any taxi (dual cab 4wd utility vehicle) can take you there and wait for you to finish for US$2 return. You will need colour copies of the passports and ships papers, the taxi will know where to get them. Take your crew with you.

There are now water taxis (50c per person per ride, $1 per person after hours).
Call taxi aquatico, and have a row of fenders ready. They are good and friendly.

The Port Captain is located to your right on the beach facing the anchorage.

Current fees are:-
An agent is manadatory now for formalities. The price is $100.
Port Captain fees $10 per gross ton.
Police/Immigration $15.
Quarantine $15 per person.
National Park $100 per person.
On departure Zarpe $15 or about $24 if on the weekend.
Immigration on departure $15.

For full information on Clearance into the Galapagos see the main Clearance Page.

Last updated February 2012.

GalaYachts Services - Yacht, Ship agents and Tour Operators
Antonio Moreano, Charles Darwin Av, San Cristobal, Wreck Bay
Tel:Mobile: +593 99116066 Office: +593 2527 515, VHF Channel 16
www.galayachts.com, antonio@galayachts.com
Skype: galapagosyachtservices
We will be more than happy to assist you and your boat with all local mandatory clearances with our Navy, Immigration, Agricultural offices as well as all other services like cruising permits (process must begin two months before you arrive in the Galapagos), fuel (Petrocomercial), water, technical assistance, free internet at our office etc... We also run a tour company offering every possible option for local dive and land tours. Our past clients are our best presentation card and we have a record of fair prices and ZERO complaints. August 2010 recommended by cruisers.

Galapagos Ocean Services
Av. Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora
Tel:+593 94 770 804 / +593 93 772 718, Fax:00593 52 527 089
www.gos.ec, peter@gos.ec
Peter and Tuomo will be happy to help you with all the entry regulations and cruising assistance here in Galapagos and onwards to South Pacific! We are the only yacht agent in Puerto Ayora with a private dingy dock, showers and laundry facilities for all our cruisers! Also providing a restaurant and Bar (welcome drink discounts) with free Wi-Fi access!! Galapagos Ocean Travel will be also in your assistance with all the local tour excursions and cruise options available with very comfortable prices!

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Docking

Approach

Stay clear of the SE point. Come in midway between the North point of land, which has a lighthouse on it and the northernmost of 2 tall, white/yellow, lighted buoys, with a short red one in the middle. The red buoy marks a wreck or pinnacle and the waves break quite high near it, so be aware and stay clear. Also, don’t come too close to the lighthouse point, as there is a big surf break there and shallow water.

Anchorage

The anchorage at Baquerizo Moreno offers reasonable protection. It is likely you will be requested to anchor in the NE quadrant of the harbour with the old cement cannery pier to your north and Playa Man to your east. Good holding sand bottom but with big rocky patches which show up from the deck in 30’ clear water. No stern anchor required.

Yachts with open transoms should put something to block access to their cockpits if they don't want a pet seal. Loud noises will encourage a seal to leave. They will bark if you get too close. It is a warning that they will bite if you get any closer.

Getting Ashore

It is not a requirement to use a water taxi to get ashore, but as there is a ground swell that makes beach landings difficult and the seal population that live around the floating pontoon at the wharf will sleep in your dinghy, it is easier to pay the 50 cents taxi fee per person. After 6pm the price goes up to US$1 until they stop running around 10-11pm. Locals pay the same price.

Driver expertise varies so ask around as to who might best protect your topsides. Call them on VHF Ch.14 or simply whistle and wave them down as they pass. Put a couple of fenders down to save your gelcoat whilst boarding.

Last updated April 2010.