Rising 2,400 feet from the Pacific, San Cristobal Island covers 215 square miles of volcanic peaks, tropical highlands, and pristine coastline. It’s renowned as one of the most dependable striped marlin destinations in the world, drawing anglers to its legendary offshore banks. Each package is arranged for your own private group of up to four anglers, ensuring a personalized experience from dock to deep blue. With its own airport and charming harbor town, San Cristobal offers the easiest gateway to the eastern Galapagos—and some of the most exhilarating fishing on earth.
Quick Facts - San Cristobal
Rates: Packages start at $7,098 p.p. (based on party of four)
for 4 nights / 3 days guided fishing.
Location: Easternmost island in the Galápagos
Access: Direct flights available from mainland Ecuador.
Season: January through June
Billfish: Striped and blue marlin
Methods: Trolling, light tackle, bottom fishing, and the IGFA-endorsed method for targeting billfish on the fly.
Boats: 38 ft. Sportfishers, twin 600-HP outboards, 3-person crew + up to 4 anglers
Lodging: Hotel Indigo - rooms with ocean or city views and outdoor pool
Island Tours: Snorkeling at Kicker Rock, hiking El Junco, kayaking, and more.
Atmosphere: Charming and varied, with a good balance of fishing, wildlife, and tourist activities.
San Cristobal Island, the eastern gateway to the Galapagos, blends vibrant island life with dramatic volcanic scenery. Inland, lush highlands and freshwater lagoons reveal the wilder side of the islands, where giant tortoises still roam.
Galapagos Sportfishing Expeditions
Our Outfitter: For more than twenty years, Sportfish Galapagos Expeditions (SFGE), led by veteran explorers Peter and Al, has been the islands’ most experienced sportfishing operator, offering guided adventures on San Cristobal and Isabela Islands. Species: San Cristobal Island’s striped marlin bite is legendary, with most days producing 5 to 50 raises and, on occasion, more than 100 fish in the spread. Travel Time: Some marlin banks lie within a 13- to 68-mile run, with daily runs averaging between 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes. Blue marlin are occasionally caught in deeper offshore waters. Blues over 400 pounds are possible, often mixed in with the striped marlin. Sailfish are present during warmer water periods. Great yellowfin tuna and bottomfishing.
The Fishing Program
Boats: You’ll fish from 38-foot Sportfishers custom-built in Ecuador and powered by twin 600-HP outboards. Each vessel has an enclosed restroom, a salon, a flybridge, outriggers, a fighting chair, stand-up gear with harnesses, and all safety equipment required by the Ecuadorian Navy. Professional three-member crew and up to four anglers. Fishing Equipment: Most anglers prefer to use stand-up tackle. All conventional tackle and gear are provided. Packages include the use of custom-built trolling rods, spinning rods, conventional rods, Shimano reels, and tackle. Fly anglers will have access to TFO rods paired with Mako reels. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed packing list. Fishing License: All required fishing permits are included in the package. IGFA Billfish on the Fly: Starting in January 2026, SFGE has partnered with IGFA Captain Jake Jordan, a pioneer in developing the official IGFA method for catching billfish on the fly. Jake will be conducting his world-famous Billfish School on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos from January through June.
Designed specifically for saltwater fly anglers, this hands-on program teaches the proven techniques for landing large billfish while adhering to IGFA regulations, including the use of a maximum 20-pound class tippet. Many of today’s IGFA record holders for billfish on the fly have trained under Jake’s expert guidance at these renowned schools.
Billfishing the Galapagos
A Typical Fishing Day: 6:00 a.m. – Fresh coffee available at the hotel. 6:50 a.m. – Your host meets you in the lodge lobby for the short transfer to the water taxi dock. 7:00 a.m. – Fishing departure. Breakfast and lunch are served on board. 4:00 p.m. – Return to the dock, just in time for the daily cocktail hour by the pool. Evening – Your host coordinates dinner plans for the group, either at a favorite local restaurant or in the hotel’s dining area.
Other Species
While billfish are the main attraction, there are times when you might have the chance to catch other species as well.
Billfishing the Galapagos
Snorkel or Dive near Kicker Rock
Accommodations
Hotel Indigo: You'll stay in a standard double-occupancy room at Hotel Indigo, featuring a private balcony with either ocean or city views. Enjoy the outdoor pool, spa, and fitness center. The hotel is located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the harbor town hums with easygoing energy.
“Hotel Indigo is by far the best hotel on the island.” - SFGE
Meals
Meals: A packed breakfast and lunch are provided for fishing days and tours. Dinner is included in the package, and you'll dine at the hotel's restaurant, which offers both local and international cuisine. Alcohol: The package includes beer, and well liquor is provided on the boats. A nightly poolside pre-dinner cocktail hour with beer, wine, and liquor is also included in the package.
Non-Angler Tours
San Cristobal Island offers many non-angling tours, including Loberia Beach—the best place to photograph marine iguanas, snorkeling at Kicker Rock, hiking El Junco—2,400-foot- tall extinct volcano with a freshwater lake-filled crater, wildlife viewing, and birding, to name a few. San Cristobal’s Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is a thriving port town with shopping, restaurants, and bars.
Getting to San Cristobal Island:
Day 0 - Arrival in Mainland Ecuador: You'll fly to Guayaquil, one of the gateway cities to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, an SFGE representative will greet you and provide transportation to your overnight hotel—either the Hotel Oro Verde or Hotel del Parque (based on availability). The hotel night is included in the package. Dinner and beverages in Guayaquil are not included in the package. Day 1 - Flight to San Cristobal, Galapagos: Enjoy a complimentary hotel breakfast before transferring back to the airport with the SFGE team. You’ll take a one-hour and 40-minute flight to San Cristobal Island Airport (SCY), where your on-island host will welcome you and escort you to the Hotel Indigo. After check-in, you'll take a guided land tour of San Cristobal. At 4:00 p.m., enjoy daily poolside cocktails. On your first and last evenings, the group will be hosted at Giuseppe’s Restaurant, an island favorite, for special welcome and farewell dinners. Departure Day: After breakfast, based on your flight schedule, you may have time to relax or explore a bit more before your departure. Your host will coordinate your transfer to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, the SFGE team will assist with your transfer to your hotel for your overnight at Hotel Oro Verde or Hotel del Parque. Dinner this evening is on your own. (The package includes the first and last night hotel stay in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
2026 Packages
Our advice is free. We never charge more than the Lodges we represent. Season: January through June.
2026 USD Rates:
4 nights / 3 days guided fishing
4 angler party - $7,098 per person
3 angler party - $8,613 per person
2 angler party - $9,780 per person 5 nights / 4 days guided fishing
4 angler party - $8,548 per person
3 angler party - $10,480 per person
2 angler party - $12,123 per person 6 nights / 5 days guided fishing
4 angler party - $9,996 per person
3 angler party - $12,353 per person
2 angler party - $14,445 per person 7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
4 angler party - $11,445 per person
3 angler party - $14,210 per person
2 angler party - $16,670 per person Request a Galapagos Islands Information Packet.
The Packages Include:
• English-speaking host throughout the trip
• First and last night hotel stay in Guayaquil
• All necessary ground transfers in the Galapagos
• Guided land tour upon arrival
• Two hotel nights—upon your arrival and departure from Guayaquil
• Breakfast at the hotel in Guayaquil
• Roundtrip flights between Guayaquil and San Cristobal
• Lodging at Hotel Indigo
• Starlink Wi-Fi
• Dinner at the hotel
• Breakfast, lunch, snacks, beer, and liquor while fishing
• Poolside cocktail hour with beer, wine, and liquor
• Guided fishing on a custom boat with a captain and crew
• Use of custom-built trolling rods, spinning rods, conventional rods, Shimano reels, TFO fly rods with Mako reels, and tackle
• All required fishing permits
• $200 Galapagos National Park Entrance fee per adult
• INGALA Transit Control Card
• Global Rescue coverage, $139 value
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to and from Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Meals/drinks in Guayaquil (except hotel breakfast)
• Optional excursions and tours not listed in the itinerary
• Additional drinks beyond the boat and cocktail hour
• Gratuities to boat crew and arrival team
• Travel insurance
• Fuel surcharges may apply
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
×
Fishing with Larry Payment Options: 1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies) 2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
Sportfishing Galapagos Expeditions Policies:
Deposit Policy: A 50% deposit is due immediately at the time of booking to secure boats, available lodging, and tours. The final payment is due 90 days before the departure date of your trip. Cancellation Policy: Full refund if you cancel in writing 121 days or more from your trip start date, less a $1,000.00 per person cancelation fee which can be used as a credit towards a future booking if booked within 18 months of your cancelation date. If you cancel for any reason within 120 days of your trip start date, then all payments will be non-refundable. As a courtesy we will do our best to work with you on rescheduling your trip on a space available basis but there is no guarantee. Many of our vendors have cancelation policies that we have no control over. For this reason, we highly recommend trip cancellation insurance.
Fishing with Larry highly recommend Travel Insurance & Global Rescue:
• Trip Cancellation Insurance protects your travel investment if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip.
• Global Rescue provides worldwide emergency medical evacuation and field rescue services. Click here for our Travel Insurance page.
While billfish are the main attraction, there are times when you might have the chance to catch other species as well.
