Vivencial Fishing in the Galapagos

Maximum Excitement - Minimum Environmental Impact

The waters of the Galapagos Islands, particularly those surrounding San Cristobal, offer unparalleled Big-Game Fishing - This is one of the most exciting and productive areas in the world to fish for:

No habla Español? - No problema - We Speak English.

Every trip is accompanied by an English speaking guide, or, more often, by one of the Galeodan owners.

Is “Sport-Fishing” Legal in the Galapagos?

Here is the official position, from the Galapagos National Park website:

“La pesca deportiva en la Reserve Marina de Galapagos esta prohibida mediante Decreto Ejecutivo No 014 publicado en el Registro Oficial No 564”.

“Pesca Deportiva” is Spanish for “Sport-Fishing”. So, the short answer is: No - “Sport-Fishing” (as such) is not legal in the Galapagos. However, “ARTISANAL VIVENCIAL FISHING” IS LEGAL, IF THE BOAT AND OPERATOR ARE PROPERLY LICENCED BY THE GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK. The same GNP website goes on to describe Artesanal Vivencial Fishing:

“En su lugar, se ha desarrollado y aprobado la pesca artesanal vivencial, que es una modalidad demostrativa de la actividad pesquera con un enfoque turístico. En ella, los turistas acompañan al pescador para apreciar, de primera mano, el arte tradicional de la pesca en Galápagos.”

Roughly translated:

“In its place, Artisanal Vivencial Fishing has been approved and developed. This is a demonstrational and experiential form of fishing with an emphasis on tourism. Tourists accompany the fisherman to appreciate, first hand, the traditional art of fishing in Galapagos.”

<Click here to view the source>

Galeodan is licensed  by the Galapagos National Park (GNP) and Port Authority (Capitania) to practice “Artisanal Vivencial Fishing” (commonly referred to as “Vivencial Fishing”).  Our Vivencial Fishing licence allows us to take tourists fishing for big-game, such as Marlin and Tuna, as well as Wahoo, Grouper, Dolfin-Fish, Dorado, you name it. You can even dive for Lobster (in season, of course) You can take supper home with you. You might see this simply as “Sport-Fishing” by another name, but with its special origins, and vision, it is something more. We encourage use of the term: “Vivencial  Fishing”.

These are the licences issued to the Owner and Boat, by the GNP and Capitania

Click on any image for an enlarged view

Fishing, of any type, in the Galapagos Marine Reserve is strictly regulated and there are only a handful of operators licensed to offer Vivencial Fishing to visitors. The principal of Galeodan, Maria Elena Ricaurte, herself the daughter of a fisherman, is one of the few. Maria Elena’s father, Carlos Ricaurte Granda, was the originator and driving force behind Artisanal Vivencial Fishing and has been closely involved at every stage if its development.

Galeodan is a young business, however, we have started out with some significant advantages. We have an extensive support network to serve our clients on the Islands and in mainland Ecuador. Through immediate family and the fishing co-operatives, we also have access to a wealth of fishing knowledge and experience. Our captain and mate (and backup crew) are, first and foremost, experienced professional fishermen. Don’t let anyone kid you otherwise: no-one knows more about finding fish in the Galapagos than the Galapagos fishermen; including the more exotic game-species, such as Marlin and  Swordfish.

Fishing Packages & Prices

We offer a variety of fishing packages. Prices depend primarily on the number of fishing days and the number of passengers.  Sharing the cost between four can save you up to 60% each. Other key price factors include the level of accommodation, rooming arrangements and season.

The Pacific is aptly named and is seldom too rough to fish comfortably. That said: the waters are calmer from December through May and this is the most popular period for North American visitors. Mind you: the fish don’t know this - They are always here!

If you want to come and fish in the Galapagos, all you need do is contact us and we will take care of everything. Our standard packages include: accommodation in Quito; flights to and from Galapagos; fishing, hotel and meals in Galapagos. The package prices exclude: international flights; airport taxes; Galapagos Park entry fee; gratuities & tips.

Our prices are very competitive. We are 100% owner-operators. We own the boat and tackle. We own the necessary licences. When you book directly with Galeodan, you save the sometimes considerable cost of Owner / Licencee / Operator partnerships, agency fees, etc.

For standard package prices: see “Fishing Packages”.
For more information, including additional package prices: Email to:  Info@Galeodan.com.

 Email:  Info@Galeodan.com,  Tel:  +593 5 252 1945, Cell: +593 9 431 1600, +593 9 525 0348, +1 (646) 257-5948

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