If you’re island-hopping in Galapagos on your own, without a cruise, the public speedboat is how almost everyone gets between Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela. These boats are locally called “fibras” or inter-island ferries, and they run on fixed routes every day of the year. Here’s what you need to know before you buy a ticket.
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The three main routes
There is no single boat that circles the whole archipelago. Instead, three routes cover almost all traveler needs, and all of them run through Santa Cruz:
| Route | Duration | Price (one way) |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz 鈫 San Cristobal | About 2 hours | $35 USD |
| Santa Cruz 鈫 Isabela | 2 to 2.5 hours | $35 USD |
| Santa Cruz 鈫 Floreana | About 2.5 hours | $40 USD |
Children between 2 and 10 years old usually travel for a reduced fare, around $30. There’s no direct boat between San Cristobal and Isabela: you have to connect in Santa Cruz, taking one boat in the morning and the next one in the afternoon, which can turn into a long day on the water.
Schedules
Departures are almost always the same two windows every day: early morning, around 7:00 a.m., and mid-afternoon, around 3:00 p.m. Floreana is the exception, with only one departure a day, and only three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Because seats are limited and boats fill up fast in high season, it’s worth booking at least a day or two ahead rather than showing up at the dock and hoping for space.
Book with Galaferry: you can reserve your speedboat tickets online at galaferry.com, choose your route and departure time, and pay by card. You’ll get a confirmation to show at the pier.
What a ticket does and doesn’t include
- Water taxi fee: around $1 per person, per crossing, to get from the pier to the actual boat.
- Santa Cruz dock fee: $1, charged on arrival and departure.
- Isabela entry fee: a one-time $10 charge on arrival, separate from the ticket.
- Luggage: typically one suitcase up to around 23 kg plus a carry-on. Extra weight can mean an additional charge.
Bring small bills in cash for the taxi and dock fees, since these aren’t always included in the online ticket price.
Before you board
- Arrive at the pier at least an hour before departure; boats leave on time and don’t wait.
- Your luggage goes through an agricultural inspection (SICGAL) before boarding, so don’t pack fresh fruit, meat, or plants.
- The crossing can get rough, especially in the afternoon and during the June鈥揝eptember season. If you get seasick easily, take medication beforehand and try to sit toward the back, under cover.
- Keep your passport, park entry card, and any required health documents on you, not packed away in checked luggage.
Speedboat or flight?
The alternative to the speedboat is Emetebe, the small airline that connects the islands with light aircraft. A one-way flight runs from about $160 to $240, several times the boat fare, but it takes under an hour and includes the only direct route between Isabela and San Cristobal. If your schedule is tight or you’d rather skip a bumpy two-hour crossing, the flight is worth the extra cost. If you’re traveling on a budget and don’t mind the ride, the speedboat gets the job done.
