The Eastern Pacific - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 221

Ayora and Wreck Bay, and most sailors prefer paying $1 per person per ride than leaving
a dinghy unattended, since dinghies are used as convenient resting spots and public toilets
by local sea lions.
Crews with an Autografo may also visit the islands of Isabela and Floreana (though not as
a first or last port of call unless making a special arrangement through an agent). Villamil
(map, #3) on Isla Isabela is a well-sheltered spot with a more complicated, reef-lined ap-
proach and enough space for up to a dozen boats. This anchorage has a quiet, local feel.
Sailors based here have the run of the largest island in the archipelago - albeit most sights
can only be visited with a certified guide as part of a tour (these can be booked locally at
short notice). There is a weekly farmer's market and several minimarts that sell basic
goods, but no bank or ATMs. On Isabela, penguins, marina iguanas, and flamingos are a
common sight, and excursions to view the volcanoes, endemic turtles, and flightless cor-
morants are possible.
Puerto Velasco Ibarra (map, #4) on Floreana (an island also known as Santa Maria) is the
least visited port, an open roadstead with few amenities. Local sights include a black sand
beach, turtles, and outstanding bird life, plus historic Post Office Bay.
Ultimately, each crew must make decisions on where and how to go based on practical
considerations and budget. And while we have focused on the monetary facts of visiting
the Galapagos, don't lose sight of the rewards. Think of the value you place on swimming
with penguins at the equator, following the tracks of marine iguanas, or observing blue-
footed boobies perform their mating dance just a wingspan away from your camera lens.
No matter how you choose to explore the islands, the superlatives of the Galapagos will
stay with you a lifetime.