Panama City or Las Perlas to San Cristóbal in the Galápagos is about 850 to 900 nautical miles, five to eight days for most cruising boats. Most westbound boats leave Panama between February and April so they reach the Marquesas in the South Pacific cyclone off-season. The Galápagos is Ecuador and runs its own rules: you need a local agent, an entry permit called the autógrafo arranged about 60 days in advance, and a clean hull. Panama's part is the international zarpe and Migración exit stamps.
Timing: why February to April
The westbound season out of Panama is set by the South Pacific, not by Panama. The South Pacific cyclone season runs roughly November to April, and boats bound for French Polynesia aim to arrive after it eases. Working backwards from a Marquesas landfall in March or April, with a few weeks in the Galápagos, puts the Panama departure in February to April.
The organised rallies show the same rhythm. The World ARC 2026–27 itinerary has its fleet transiting the canal between 30 January and 7 February, leaving Las Perlas for San Cristóbal on 12 February, and leaving Santa Cruz for Hiva Oa on 4 March. Independent boats spread across the same window, which is also peak season for canal transits. Book the canal early; see scheduling and wait times.
On the Gulf of Panama, the dry season (December to April) brings northerly winds that help you south past Punta Mala. Further out you meet the light, fickle air of the doldrums and the Humboldt Current setting north and west. Expect to motor some of the way and carry fuel for it.
Distances and routes
| Leg | Approx. distance |
|---|---|
| Balboa (Panama City) to San Cristóbal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) | 850–900 nm |
| Las Perlas to San Cristóbal | about 850 nm |
| Galápagos (Santa Cruz) to Hiva Oa, Marquesas | about 3,000 nm |
| Panama direct to the Marquesas, skipping the Galápagos | 3,800 nm or more |
The World ARC itinerary lists Las Perlas to San Cristóbal as 850 miles and Santa Cruz to Hiva Oa as 2,980 miles; the other figures are planning numbers measured along typical routes, not official distances.
The usual track goes south from the Gulf of Panama, rounds Punta Mala, and heads south-west. Some boats cross the equator before turning west to use the current. Going direct to the Marquesas avoids the Galápagos fees and permit process, but it is a very long leg through light winds, and you need the fuel, water and stores for three to five weeks at sea.
Galápagos entry: Ecuador's rules
These are Ecuadorian requirements, set and enforced by Ecuador's port authorities and the Galápagos National Park, and they change. The summary below follows Noonsite's July 2025 clearance page; confirm everything with your agent.
- Agent. Mandatory for any stay longer than one day. The agent arranges check-in with the port captain and collects the fees.
- Autógrafo. Prior permission that allows up to 30 days (extendable by 30) and visits to up to five inhabited ports. Apply through your agent at least 60 days before arrival; processing usually takes about six weeks.
- Without an autógrafo. A single-port stop of up to 20 days at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno or Puerto Ayora for fuel, provisions and repairs, length set by the port captain. A 72-hour stop is for genuine emergencies only.
- Biosecurity. Divers inspect the hull on arrival. Boats with fouling are likely to be sent out at least 60 nm offshore to clean and then pay for re-inspection. Bring a hull inspection certificate and a fumigation certificate from your last port.
- AIS. A working AIS transmitter and receiver, with a certificate.
- Documents. Zarpe from your last port, passports, ship's papers, and proof of health insurance for each person aboard.
- Ports of entry. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal), Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz), Puerto Villamil (Isabela) and Baltra. Go only to the port your agent has arranged.
Fees include government entry fees, the National Park visitor permit and overtime outside weekday office hours. Ask your agent for a written quote before you commit.
What to finish in Panama
Panama is the last good place to sort the boat before a long stretch of the Pacific. Before you leave:
- International zarpe from the Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) port captain, naming your next port. See the zarpe explained.
- Migración exit stamps for everyone aboard, and settled cruising permit and marina accounts. The order matters; see leaving Panama by boat.
- Hull. Haul out or have the hull cleaned by a diver in the last days before departure, and get the hull and fumigation certificates the Galápagos asks for. Ask your agent which certificates they will accept from Panama.
- Provisioning and parts. Panama City has the best supermarkets, chandlers and courier options on this side of the Pacific. Fill water and fuel at Balboa or Amador; see fuel, water and provisioning.
Las Perlas as the staging post
Many boats leave Panama City, spend a few days in the Pearl Islands, and depart from there. Las Perlas is about 35 to 45 nm from the city, the anchorages are easy, and it is a good place to clean the hull in clear water and give the crew a shakedown. The World ARC uses it as its Pacific start.
Two points. Confirm with the AMP whether your international zarpe can be issued in Panama City with a stop in Las Perlas before departure; port captains have interpreted this differently. And there is no reliable fuel in the islands, so fill up before you leave the city. See Las Perlas anchorages.
Your practical starting checklist
- Choose a Galápagos agent and apply for the autógrafo at least 60 days before your planned arrival.
- Book your canal transit early if you are coming from the Caribbean side; January to April is peak season.
- Haul out or have the hull cleaned, and get hull inspection and fumigation certificates your agent will accept.
- Check AIS, liferaft, EPIRB and safety gear; Galápagos officials inspect before issuing your departure zarpe.
- Provision, fuel and fill water in Panama City for at least the Galápagos leg plus a reserve for motoring.
- Get your international zarpe from the AMP and Migración exit stamps for everyone aboard.
- Stage in Las Perlas, wait for a forecast, and keep your agent updated on your ETA.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Galápagos from Panama by boat?
About 850 to 900 nm from Panama City or Las Perlas to San Cristóbal. Most cruising boats take five to eight days, often with some motoring through light winds.
Do I need an agent to visit the Galápagos on my own boat?
Yes, for any stay over one day. The agent arranges the autógrafo, check-in with the port captain and the fees. These are Ecuadorian rules; confirm the current process with your agent.
When should I leave Panama for the South Pacific?
February to April is the usual window, so that you reach French Polynesia as the South Pacific cyclone season ends. Rally fleets leave Las Perlas for the Galápagos in mid-February.
Can I skip the Galápagos and sail direct to the Marquesas?
Yes. It is 3,800 nm or more from Panama and avoids the Galápagos fees and permits, but you need stores, water and fuel for three to five weeks.
What happens if my hull is dirty when I arrive in the Galápagos?
Officials can refuse entry and send you at least 60 nm offshore to clean it, then charge for a re-inspection. Clean the hull in Panama in the last days before departure.
En español: de Panamá a Galápagos en velero
De la ciudad de Panamá o Las Perlas a San Cristóbal hay unas 850 a 900 millas náuticas, de cinco a ocho días de navegación. La mayoría de los barcos zarpa entre febrero y abril. Galápagos es Ecuador: necesita un agente local, el permiso de ingreso llamado autógrafo (solicítelo con unos 60 días de anticipación) y el casco limpio. En Panamá, tramite el zarpe internacional con la AMP y el sello de salida de Migración.
The next question to answer
Exit zarpe, Migración stamp-out and the order to do them in. Read Leaving Panama by boat.
Domestic vs international clearance and where to get it. Read The zarpe explained.
The usual staging post before the Pacific crossing. Read Las Perlas anchorages.
Official resources
Use the relevant Panamanian authority for current requirements and fees. These resources are the next place to check; a practical recommendation is not an agency determination.
- World Cruising Club: World ARC 2026–27 itinerary (Las Perlas–San Cristóbal 850 mi; Santa Cruz–Hiva Oa 2,980 mi) ↗
- Noonsite: Galápagos clearance (agent, autógrafo, biofouling, AIS), updated July 2025 — secondary ↗
- Afloat: World ARC 2026–27 starts in Saint Lucia, canal transit end of January — secondary ↗