Swim Galapagos

TBD 2024

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

For U.S. citizens, Ecuador eliminated its COVID-19 entry requirements for the Galapagos Islands effective October 20, 2022.  International travelers are no longer required to present COVID-19 vaccination cards or proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Galapagos Islands. However, We recommend to bring a copy of your vaccination cards, just in case.

It is also recommended to receive Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines especially if you are planning to take tours outside of the cities of Quito and Guayaquil (like the the Amazon and coastal regions) before of after your Galapagos tour. Please consult a health specialist for further recommendations.

Tthe CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers. 

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information, please visit the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Ecuador page.

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?   Yes
    • Ecuador has a Level 2 Travel Advisory:  Exercise Increased Caution due to Civil Unrest and Crime.
    • Ecuador eliminated its COVID-19 entry requirements effective October 20, 2022. International travelers are no longer required to present COVID-19 vaccination cards or proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering Ecuador. For more information, please see the October 19, 2022, resolution issued by Ecuador’s Emergency Operations Committee: https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/resoluciones-coe/. International travelers are still required to present a declaration of traveler health. The declaration is available on the ministry of Public Health website: https://declaracionsalud-viajero.msp.gob.ec/. Note that special rules apply to the Galapagos Islands, see below.
  • Is a negative COVD-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?  No
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?  Yes, in some circumstances
    • Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health has discontinued its practice of performing random COVID-19 testing to international travelers upon arrival. However, if airlines or airport staff observe a traveler with symptoms, that traveler may be referred to the Ministry of Public Health for testing. If the traveler tests positive for COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health may recommend the traveler isolate for five days and then wear a mask in public spaces while the traveler continues to exhibit symptoms. The Ministry of Public Health no longer requires international travelers that test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine in hotels or private accommodations.

    • As of June 2018, a Health Insurance has become mandatory for all travelers entering Ecuador. This insurance must be acquired in your country of residency prior to your departure.

      Travel Insurance, while not being mandatory, is highly recommended to have, as it will protect you against unforeseen problems with your flight connections and the possibility of missing your cruise/tour. Please refer to our Terms and Policies section to review our refund policies.

  • Ecuador also eliminated its COVID-19 entry requirements for the Galapagos Islands effective October 20, 2022. International travelers are no longer required to present COVID-19 vaccination cards or proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Galapagos Islands.
  • However, travelers are still required to present a “transit control card” issued by the Government of Galapagos.  Guidance on registering for a “transit control card” is available here: https://www.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/step-by-step-tct-online/. Contact your tour operator for more information on this requirement.
  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
    • Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health no longer requires international travelers that test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine in hotels or private accommodations. If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Ecuador, the Ministry of Public Health recommends you isolate for five days and then wear a mask in public spaces while you continue to exhibit symptoms.
  • A list of laboratories licensed to perform RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests is available on the website maintained by Ecuador’s Medical Services and Prepaid Medicine Quality Assurance Agency (ACESS).  The Ministry of Public Health signed a ministerial agreement on April 20, 2021, which fixed the price of RT-PCR tests at $45.  More information is available at this link: https://www.salud.gob.ec/comunicado-oficial-el-costo-de-las-pruebas-rt-pcr-sera-de-usd-45-08/.  Rapid antigen tests can also be purchased at local pharmacies.
  • Laboratories generally promise results within 24 hours. Many laboratories will email results the same day.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

  • Are vaccines available in Ecuador for U.S. citizens to receive?  Yes
    • U.S. citizen residents in Ecuador can contact their local public health center to obtain vaccine information and schedule an appointment. The Ministry of Public Health has lists of the public health centers that offer the COVID-19 vaccine on its website: https://www.salud.gob.ec/centros-de-salud-habilitados-para-la-vacuna-covid-19/. Alternatively, U.S. citizen residents and non-residents interested in the COVID-19 vaccine can contact the Ministry of Public Health directly by dialing 171.
  • Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
  • The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

The CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers. We strongly recommend to bring a copy of your vaccination cards, just in case.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information, please visit the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Ecuador page.

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

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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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