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Ferries and Water Taxis

London, United...
16 posts
20 helpful votes
Ferries and Water Taxis

Trip June 2023 - We are starting at San Cristobal then to Santa Cruz then Isabella back to Santa Cruz then Baltera, I am not a swimmer and therefore anxious how hard is transfer from water taxi to ferry, does everyone get to wear a life jacket or should i bring one, and with stories of Gaviota running out of fuel and a ferry sinking in Nov 2022 my anxiety has risen

8 replies to this topic
418 posts
15 helpful votes
1. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

You’ve posted in multiple threads. Most people survive but if you fall in the water the man eating sea lions usually get you. 2022 statistics show only 2.3% ferry fatality rate from this cause.

Edited: 1 year ago
Tucson, Arizona
Destination Expert
for Quito, Ecuador
15,631 posts
137 helpful votes
2. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

Seonald, ignore #1.

There is a puddle-jumper airline called Emetebe that operates between islands. That might be your best choice to alleviate your anxiety. And a whole lot faster, too.

London, United...
16 posts
20 helpful votes
3. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

I know it is funny to people with no anxiety, my question is how easy is it to transfer from the water taxi to the ferry rather than joking

London, United...
16 posts
20 helpful votes
4. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

I know it is funny to people with no anxiety, my question is how easy is it to transfer from the water taxi to the ferry rather than joking. I dont think there is a flight from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz

418 posts
15 helpful votes
5. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

Well, if you hadn’t posted in numerous threads instead of just creating your own maybe it would be taken more seriously. Also, you are going to islands with boats. It’s not difficult physically just ask for help.

Edited: 1 year ago
Mansfield, United...
606 posts
53 helpful votes
6. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

I understand your anxiety , think of the positives - you are on a trip of a life time - you will enjoy , transferring will be easy without any risk of falling into water plus you will have helping hands nearby.

Go without fear and enjoy

Osoyoos, Canada
1,816 posts
58 helpful votes
7. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

I have never travelled anywhere that there wasn’t a kind person to help you. I hope this was the case for you on your trip. Please report back with an answer to your own question!

Essen, Germany
455 posts
21 helpful votes
8. Re: Ferries and Water Taxis

Hello SeonaidMack,

getting on the ferries from the water taxis is really easy, you do not need to worry. The ferries (and daytour boats, which is pretty much the same way of accessing them) have kind of a low step at their back, and the water taxi or zodiac has one, too - and when it approaches the bigger boat, it will be these two steps close to each other. You will always have one helping hand on the water taxi and one on the ferry/boat. It is pretty much impossible to fall into the water this way. (But you should wear comfortable shoes, no high heels, no flip flop sandals and so on.)

When I went with the Gaviota, which was a great ride, the captain did not start before everyone had put their life jacket on, these were provided by the ferry.

You can indeed fly to Santa Cruz from San Cristobal with Emetebe, but this will be with a stop on Isabela.

Hope this helps, happy travels!

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