Swim Galapagos

March 2023 – Days TBA

Join Water World Swim on our next Voyage to the Galapagos Islands!

Seize this unique opportunity to explore this Pacific Archipelago, discovered by Charles Darwin in 1831. Swim, snorkel, kayak, and hike through some of the most spectacular vegetation and immaculate stretch of nature in the world.

Fine tune your swim technique and prepare for your next challenge during our swim clinics, hosted by international coach, Pedro Ordenes! Prefer a vacation pace? With water so warm and clear that you can see the bottom, you will have plenty of time to wonder at the sea life and experience the Galapagos’s famed marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, the legendary giant tortoise and more! You will also enjoy local food and drink and relaxation.

The Event

LOCATIONS

Swims will be at different locations on Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.

2K OPEN WATER SWIM

One of our swims will start from one of the public docks, 2 km back and forth.

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3.5K OPEN WATER SWIM CHALLENGE 

For the Swim at Itabaca, Swimmers will be transferred to Baltra Island and will swim through the Itabaca Channel.

About COVID-19

Ecuador and the Galapagos are fully open and there has never been a better time to visit without crowds! Travel is easy, with neither visa requirements nor mandatory quarantine requirements (with the noted entry requirements met). GALAPAGOS TRAVEL resumed operating our Galapagos itineraries in April 2021 to great reviews. Ecuador’s vaccination rates are among the highest in Latin America and an emphasis is placed on safety throughout the country.

For ages 16 and over:

• proof of full vaccination, completed at least 2 weeks prior to arrival, plus…
• negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Ecuador, plus…
• proof of medical & evacuation insurance, including Covid coverage, plus…
• a completed health attestation: https://declaracionsalud-viajero.msp.gob.ec

For ages 16 and over:

• negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Galapagos.
• INGALA tourist migration card (which we arrange for our participants)
• Galapagos national park entry fee paid ($100, cash only)

Thermal imaging camera are in use the the airports.

Galapagos Travel will assist our travelers with any needed same-day RT-PCR tests needed in Quito, to fulfill the Galapagos entry requirements. Tests cost $70 (cash or credit card) and results returned in 4 hours.

• a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of boarding your flight.

Galapagos Travel will assist our travelers with the needed rapid antigen tests needed in Quito. Tests cost $40 (cash or credit card) and results returned in roughly 2 hours.

For anyone not traveling with Galapagos Travel we suggest you talk to your local agent or yacht office. There are today many testing facilities in Quito and Guayaquil, including at both airports.

Anyone with a positive PCR or Antigen test result while in Ecuador is required to quarantine at your local hotel. Hotels have quarantine protocols and packages to protect travelers and staff alike. For example the Hotel Mercure Alameda where we stay in Quito…

• private accommodations with no staff entering the room
• 3 meals per day, via room service, at set times (trays are left outside room doors),
• clean linens delivered every 3 days,
• daily trash collection is specialized bags outside doors.

Quarantine rates are $70, plus taxes, including meals. Other hotels have similar programs in place.

This includes:

Our airport transfers now utilize larger SUV’s, vans and busses affording everyone more space. Vehicles are subject to a special sanitation regime between uses. The drivers and guides used are fully vaccinated.

The hotel we use in Quito – the Mercure Alameda Quito – has all new procedures in place, from an expanded registration area to allow for social distancing when checking in/out, temperature checks, contactless payments, deep cleaning and disinfection of all accommodations before and after each occupation, to personal hygiene kits and more. The breakfast buffet has been replaced with an (included) American breakfast, and capacity of the dining room is capped based on social distancing guidelines (with tables and chairs disinfected before and after each use). Room service (not included) is available 24 hours a day. Staff will enter guest rooms less frequently (although rooms will be stocked with extra towels and bed linens should you desire). Porters currently will not be handling luggage.

In Galapagos all arrivals walk across a sanitizing foot bath and all luggage, including hand-luggage, will be sprayed with a disinfectant. There will be a health screening where your COVID-19 test results are checked, plus a temperature check, and verification of health insurance.

The Tip Top IV yacht has experienced zero incidence of Covid, and they aim to maintain that perfect record. The crew are all triple vaccinated at this time, and subject to health checks and regular covid antigen testing. Numerous protocols, both obvious and behind the scenes, are in place to keep everyone in good health.
• more meals are served plated, and any buffets are served by the cooks,
• social distancing at meals,
• new cleaning procedures, timelines and satiation products in use, including updated air filtration systems and employing an ozone generator air purifier.

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS TRAVEL · TRANSFER TO EVENTS FROM PUERTO AYORA · EVENTS REGISTRATIONS · SEA LIONS, IGUANAS, AND MORE!
Getting to Galapagos

Getting to Guayaquil in Ecuador: LATAM Airlines and Avianca offers flights to Galapagos during all seasons, mostly from US, Europe and South America. There are direct non-stop flights from several US cities like Houston, New York and Miami, as well as from European cities like Madrid to Guayaquil. We recommend purchasing travel insurance.

We believe in conservation through sustainable management. Water World Swim respects the natural environment of the Galapagos Islands. We are committed to social and environmental responsibility and practices that minimize our presence and impact to sea life and the natural habitat.

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