Around the Galápagos Islands

Transportation

V!VA User‘s Description

Intra-island transportation is relatively straightforward, but inter-island hopping on your own can be tricky. You can travel between Baltra or Santa Cruz and the other main islands of San Cristóbal and Isabela either by plane, ferry, or private boat (lancha). However, itineraries and prices often change.

The small airline, EMETEBE, flies a five-passenger plane between the main islands every day, if there are passengers. Tickets can be purchased at any of the airports or at the EMETEBE office near the port supermarket in Puerto Ayora (hours: 7:15-10:45, 14:00-18:00; telephone: 05-252-6177). The flight costs $65 one-way/$130 round-trip and lasts about 30 minutes.

Ingala operates a passenger ferry between Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal two times a week. Service between Santa Cruz and Isabela and between Floreana and Isabela is less frequent—about twice a month and once a month, respectively. Schedules often change, so inquire about the most up-to-date details at the Ingala office or at the Cámara de Turismo (Chamber of Tourism) office in Puerto Ayora. Ferries usually depart from the main pier in Puerto Ayora at 12 noon on Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving in San Cristóbal at about 4 p.m. Return trips are Mondays and Thursdays at the same time. Tickets can be purchased at the Ingala office in Puerto Ayora from 9 to 11 a.m. on the day of departure. Fares are $50 one-way.

If you are in a hurry or cannot acquire a space on the ferry, you can contract a private boat in any of the port towns. Private transportation will be more expensive. Prices are negotiable, but you should expect to pay between $80 and $100 one-way to either San Cristóbal or Isabela. However, it will be faster and most certainly guided, since local boat-owners love to share their knowledge with tourists. Feel free to ask around the harbors: you are bound to find someone to take you wherever you need to go. The capitanía, or port captain, should also be able to tell you which boats are going to these islands and their expected departure times.