Puerto Villamil : Profile

Location

Puerto Villamil can best be described as the “jewel of the Galapagos harbours”. The harbour is protected by a southern string of low islands and reefs and therefore is a more protected, calm anchorage.

A large island with only 1800 inhabitants, Isabela is connected to the island group by daily “fast” ferries to Santa Cruz.

There is snorkelling off your boat with the highlight being the colony of Penguins that live here and visit your boat to feed, as well as hiking or biking to a tortoise preserve outside town, and to the “Wall of Tears”, about 6 miles out along the “beach road”.

Clearance

Isabella is not a Port of Entry and the port captain usually turns the boats around and sends them back to either Santa Cruz or San Cristobal.

Last updated February 2011.

Docking

Entry

The harbour is protected by a southern string of low islands and reefs. While there is a small boat entry through these islands, sailboats will need to round to the south and west of the group, and enter through a buoyed channel. Entry is not easy as it is encumbered with reefs, so make sure you arrive with good light and keep a good lookout for reefs in the approaches to the anchorage.

Anchorage

The anchorage area is bounded by low volcanic islets, is quite calm and is a lot smaller than it looks as you enter, because it is mostly filled with submerged reefs and shoals. Reefs are above water at low tide.

The water in this protected area is quite shallow - 3 to 4 metres. There are large coral slabs on the bottom so it is easy to foul the anchor, but the anchorage is well protected from the swell.

Dinghy Docks

There are 2 dinghy dock areas.
There is a very convenient, big concrete pier in the town, however the approach through the surf can be difficult and there is alot of swell. Useful for a quick drop off, or visit.

The main dinghy dock is to the very east of the town. At high to mid tide, it is possible to carefully pick your way directly from the anchorage to this dock. At lower tides you have to go out around the long way. Land at the small yellow pontoon east of the quay, or on the beach west of the same quay - go the western end of this small beach where there is less breaking swell. A local fisherman, Henry Segovia, runs a small bar and restaurant on this beach – The Little Yacht Club.

To reach town from this dock, follow the road, which bears to the left and stay left when the road branches. Town is about a 15-20 minute walk away.

Services for yachts are very limited.

The Capitania is in the settlement, about 1 km to west. All boats must report here.

There are some fees to be paid: anchorage, exit permit (zarpe) as well as overtime at weekends. The port captain will allow up to 20 days.

Last updated April 2010.

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