Galapagos Islands

In general, crime is not a problem in the Galapagos. Petty crime may occur in the towns, and occasionally fisherman will stage strikes or demonstrations that affect tourists, but for the most part there is little to be concerned about. It should be noted, however, that some items that have been reported missing have been found in the crews' quarters! As most boats do not have lockable cabins, it might be advisable to keep your items locked away in bags in your cabins.

The animal life in the islands is mostly docile with the exception of larger sea lions. Bulls, in particular, will vigorously protect their harems, and can inflict dangerous and potentially deadly bites. Do not snorkel close to sea lion colonies. If a bull sea lion approaches you, swim away from the nearest colony. While the bulls can be dangerous; swimming with juvenile sea lions can be one of the most exciting parts of a trip.

In addition to sea lions, there is a minimal danger from sharks. In general sharks will not attack unless provoked, although attacks can sometimes occur in murky water when sharks mistake humans for other animals. However, by exercising simple common sense experiences will be almost always be positive.

Be careful with the tap water, especially in Puerto Ayora. It is not recommended to drink it or brush your teeth with it.

rules

The codified park rules are:

To visit the National park you must always be accompanied by a certified Galapagos National park guide.

Galapagos is a unique and fragile environment. Take only photographs and video. Professional shooting needs authorization from the National Park.

Please stay within the limits of the walking trails, for your safety and that of the flora and fauna.

To avoid affecting the wildlife's natural behavior please avoid getting closer than two meters to the animals.

Camping is only allowed in specific sites. If you wish to camp, you must first obtain a permit from the Galapagos National Park.

Help conservation by cooperating with the authorities in their inspection, monitoring and control duties. Report any anomalies to the National Park.

Do not introduce foreign organisms to the islands, as these can have a negative impact on the ecosystem.

Please do not buy souvenirs which are made from black coral, sea shells, sea lion teeth, tortoise shell, volcanic rock or endemic woods.

Galapagos animals have their own feeding behavior. Never feed the animals. Feeding them can be detrimental to their health.

Galapagos landscapes are beautiful and unique. Do not spoil them by writing or etching rocks or trees.

Do not litter while on the islands. Always dispose of rubbish in a safe and appropriate way.

Smoking or making camp fires in the national park areas is forbidden and can cause devastating fires.

Fishing is strictly forbidden, except on those boats specifically authorised by the Galapagos National Park.

Jet skiing, submarines, water skiing, and aerial tourism are all forbidden.

respect

The park is strictly regulated. Outside of the towns visitors must be accompanied by guides, and visitors are only allowed on land from sunrise until sunset. Itineraries must be registered with the park prior to embarking on a trip, and animals should never be disturbed; while the wildlife in the Galapagos will usually ignore your presence, a general rule of thumb is that if an animal notices your presence then you are too close. Two meters is generally given as a minimum distance to keep away from animals; you will find that if you are calm and respectful that many animals will walk right up to investigate you.

One of the greatest dangers to the islands is introduced species. The park service is trying to eliminate goats, rats, cats, dogs, and introduced plant species on many of the islands, but it is a difficult battle; after evolving for thousands of years without predators, the Galapagos wildlife is not adapted to handle these new species. When traveling to the islands, do not bring any plant or animal life with you, and be sure to always clean your footwear when traveling between islands to avoid accidentally transferring seeds.

Illegal fishing is another threat to the park. Although park officials may deny it, illegal fishing for sharks and sea cucumbers occurs on a massive scale. The number of fishermen has increased rapidly over the last few years, while the number of fish have plunged. Due to ongoing tensions between fisherman, tourism, and science the level of enforcement of fishing laws can vary greatly, but even when policies are put in place to limit fishing enforcement is difficult due to the resources required to patrol the vast park area.

Another big threat to the park is the growing population. Although new rules make it impossible for people arriving from the mainland to live and work on the islands, the rules are hardly enforced, resulting in many people immigrating from the mainland to make quick money on the islands.