Authorities Ease Restrictions For Yachts Visiting Galapagos

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-07-01 11:26:46
Topic: Cruising Information
Countries: Ecuador, Galapagos

An amendment to an exiting law means that as of this year any yacht arriving in Galapagos with less than ten persons on board may spend up to a total of twenty days in one, or several, of the official ports of entry. The Ecuadorean Navy, who administers the archipelago, has agreed to apply a specific article (No. 69) that covers this matter in "Reglamento de Areas Protegidas (RETANP)". Accordingly a yacht that arrives at Puerto Baquerizo can request permission for a 20 day stay, and may also stop within this period at either Puerto Ayora or Puerto Villamil.

There are four official ports: Baquerizo Moreno (Wreck Bay) on San Cristobal, Puerto Ayora (Academy Bay) on Santa Cruz, Puerto Velasco Ibarra on Floreana and Puerto Villamil on Isabela, but only the first two may be used officially for clearance purposes.

Ricardo Arenas, pelicanb@gpsinter.net