Port information & tips for Isla Champion (Floreana, Galapagos)
The small island of Champion, located off the coast of Floreana, is an untouched natural jewel of the Galapagos Archipelago and fascinates with its extraordinary biodiversity. The volcanic backdrop offers a spectacular atmosphere, while the crystal-clear water, thanks to its coral reefs, is among the best snorkeling areas in the region. Highlights include sightings of the rare Floreana mockingbird as well as encounters with playful Galapagos sea lions and sea turtles in their natural habitat. Since the island is a strictly protected reserve, expedition ships anchor at a fixed position off the coast. Transfers are made safely by Zodiac inflatable boat directly to the shore or to the diving sites, allowing travelers to experience the untouched wilderness far from any urban infrastructure in an immediate and exclusive way.
The island of Champion, located off Floreana, is a fascinating anchorage in the Galapagos Archipelago and is typically visited as part of an expedition cruise. There is no traditional port or terminal in the usual sense; arrival is primarily by air via the Ecuadorian mainland to one of the two Galapagos airports, from where you embark on the expedition ship that then heads for Floreana.
Flight to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
Guests from the DACH region reach Ecuador on international flights, usually via Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). Since there are no direct international flights to the Galapagos Islands, a stopover on the mainland is essential. From Quito or Guayaquil, you then take a domestic flight to the Galapagos airports of Seymour (GPS) on Baltra or San Cristóbal (SCY) on San Cristóbal. Flights from Quito often make a short stopover in Guayaquil. The flight time from Guayaquil to the Galapagos is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2.5 hours, while from Quito it is around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2.5 hours.
Transfer to the Cruise Ship
Depending on the itinerary, your Galapagos cruise will start from either Baltra or San Cristóbal. From Baltra Airport (GPS), a free shuttle bus will take you to the Seymour Passenger Dock, where you will transfer to the tender boat to your cruise ship. If your ship starts from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, you will take a bus from Baltra Airport to the Itabaca Channel (approx. 10 minutes, 5 USD), cross with a short ferry (approx. 5–10 minutes, 1–2 USD), and from there take a taxi (approx. 45 minutes, 20–25 USD) or a bus (approx. 75 minutes, 5 USD) to Puerto Ayora. San Cristóbal Airport (SCY), on the other hand, is located directly by the capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, so the transfer to the embarkation point is easily done on foot, by taxi, or by shuttle in just a few minutes.
Recommendation: Pre-cruise Hotel and Formalities
Due to the long journey and early morning departure times to the Galapagos Islands, an overnight stay in mainland Ecuador is strongly recommended, ideally in Quito or Guayaquil, to relaxedly cushion any potential flight delays. In addition, special formalities must be observed for entry into the Galapagos National Park: a Transit Control Card (TCT, 20 USD) must be purchased before the flight to the islands, and upon arrival, the National Park entrance fee (from August 1, 2024: 200 USD per adult, payable in cash) must be paid. Many cruise lines coordinate flights and transfers within the Galapagos Islands.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The island of Champion, located off Floreana, is a fascinating anchorage in the Galapagos Archipelago and is typically visited as part of an expedition cruise. There is no traditional port or terminal in the usual sense; arrival is primarily by air via the Ecuadorian mainland to one of the two Galapagos airports, from where you embark on the expedition ship that then heads for Floreana.
Flight to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
Guests from the DACH region reach Ecuador on international flights, usually via Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). Since there are no direct international flights to the Galapagos Islands, a stopover on the mainland is essential. From Quito or Guayaquil, you then take a domestic flight to the Galapagos airports of Seymour (GPS) on Baltra or San Cristóbal (SCY) on San Cristóbal. Flights from Quito often make a short stopover in Guayaquil. The flight time from Guayaquil to the Galapagos is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2.5 hours, while from Quito it is around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2.5 hours.
Transfer to the Cruise Ship
Depending on the itinerary, your Galapagos cruise will start from either Baltra or San Cristóbal. From Baltra Airport (GPS), a free shuttle bus will take you to the Seymour Passenger Dock, where you will transfer to the tender boat to your cruise ship. If your ship starts from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, you will take a bus from Baltra Airport to the Itabaca Channel (approx. 10 minutes, 5 USD), cross with a short ferry (approx. 5–10 minutes, 1–2 USD), and from there take a taxi (approx. 45 minutes, 20–25 USD) or a bus (approx. 75 minutes, 5 USD) to Puerto Ayora. San Cristóbal Airport (SCY), on the other hand, is located directly by the capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, so the transfer to the embarkation point is easily done on foot, by taxi, or by shuttle in just a few minutes.
Recommendation: Pre-cruise Hotel and Formalities
Due to the long journey and early morning departure times to the Galapagos Islands, an overnight stay in mainland Ecuador is strongly recommended, ideally in Quito or Guayaquil, to relaxedly cushion any potential flight delays. In addition, special formalities must be observed for entry into the Galapagos National Park: a Transit Control Card (TCT, 20 USD) must be purchased before the flight to the islands, and upon arrival, the National Park entrance fee (from August 1, 2024: 200 USD per adult, payable in cash) must be paid. Many cruise lines coordinate flights and transfers within the Galapagos Islands.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Arrival at the uninhabited Champion Island is made directly by the ship's own tenders, providing exclusive access to one of the most biodiverse natural paradises of the Galapagos Islands.
Pangas (Tenders)
These specialized expedition inflatable boats are the primary means of transport and bring you comfortably from the cruise ship to the best observation points. Thanks to the maneuverability of these boats, you can reach the rugged coastline directly and also enjoy first-class sightings of rare animal species directly from the water.
Water Taxis (Lanchas)
Local motorboats serve as a flexible connection in the waters around Floreana and enable a smooth transfer between various diving and snorkeling spots. These boats are ideally adapted to the sea conditions and simultaneously ensure safe transportation within the protected marine reserve.
Snorkeling Exploration
Moving through the water offers an active way to discover the protected bay around Champion Island directly. You glide through the clear sea together with playful sea lions and experience the fascinating underwater world of the Galapagos Islands in a very personal way thanks to the high visibility.
To make the most of your stay at Champion Islet, we recommend a combination of intensive nature observations in the immediate underwater world and a visit to the historically and ecologically significant landing sites on the directly adjacent island of Floreana.
Underwater World of Champion Islet
This small island is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago and, thanks to clear visibility, allows for close encounters with playful sea lions and colorful schools of fish right off the rocky coast. Additionally, the sheltered location offers ideal conditions for observing the rare Floreana Mockingbirds, which are native exclusively to this specific ecosystem.
Cormorant Point
The striking landing point on Floreana impresses with its unique olive-green beach made of olivine crystals and leads visitors to a shallow lagoon, which is a perfect place for observing flamingos in their natural habitat. At the same time, the transition to the brilliant white coral sand beach on the other side of the isthmus offers a picturesque backdrop for nature lovers and is ideally integrated into a shore excursion thanks to short distances.
Post Office Bay
This historic bay is world-famous for its traditional postal system from the whaling era and invites travelers to deliver the handwritten messages of other visitors to their destinations all over the world without any stamps. Thanks to its direct accessibility by panga, this location is an ideal destination for explorers who wish to experience the human history of the Galapagos Islands alongside a relaxed stay at the beach.
Snorkeling at Champion Islet
Champion Islet, off the coast of Floreana, is easily accessible by panga (Zodiac) directly from your cruise ship and offers one of the most excellent snorkeling experiences in the entire archipelago. In the crystal-clear waters, you glide relaxedly alongside curious sea lions as well as majestic sea turtles and enjoy a colorful underwater world thanks to the outstanding visibility. The atmosphere is characterized by exclusive seclusion, while you can also observe the rare Floreana Mockingbird in its protected habitat from the dinghy. Ideally, plan your excursion for the early morning to take advantage of the clear light for underwater photography and to be back on board your ship in time for a relaxed lunch after this nature experience.
Returning from the uninhabited Champion Island to the cruise ship is safe and straightforward for all guests, thanks to the organized planning by the expedition team.
Panga Shuttles (Dinghies)
Since Champion Island does not have a permanent pier, the return journey is exclusively by the ship's own pangas or inflatable boats. These boats pick you up directly at the end of your snorkeling or boat tour and take you directly by sea back to your ship's gangway.
Water Taxis at the Pier (Floreana)
Should your excursion end at the main pier of Puerto Velasco Ibarra on the neighboring main island of Floreana, simply use the local water taxis. These small boats constantly shuttle between the pier and the ships anchored offshore and can be hailed directly at the harbor basin with a simple hand signal.
Coordination by Nature Guides
Your certified nature guides keep a close eye on the tides as well as the schedule and will lead you punctually to the boat departure points. Thanks to the direct radio link between the guides and the ship's crew, a timely return is guaranteed, allowing you to enjoy the excursion relaxed and without time pressure.
