Discover the thrilling striped marlin fishery, protected marine life, and world-class conservation opportunity of the Galápagos Islands.
The Marlin Expeditions x Guy Harvey Foundation Galápagos Islands Expedition pairs premier eastern Pacific billfishing with a rare behind-the-scenes conservation experience. Based on San Cristóbal Island, a small group of anglers will spend four days targeting striped marlin during prime season, supported by Marlin Expeditions staff and accomplished local crews.
On two of those days, guests fish alongside Dr. Guy Harvey and Jessica Harvey, and each client will have the chance to help deploy a satellite tag on a marlin. That’s a direct contribution to the science behind billfish conservation. Rounding out the week are a guided Quito experience, a private 360-degree snorkeling tour, and a land adventure through the volcanic landscapes that make the Galápagos unlike anywhere else on earth.
Included: Single-occupancy accommodations, fishing and tour fees, meals on San Cristóbal, standard boat tips, local transfers, hosted activities, and professional expedition support.
Not Included: International airfare, domestic Ecuador flights, Transit Control Card fees, Galápagos National Park entrance fees, alcoholic beverages, additional crew/instructor tips, travel insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage.
Guests arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to the group hotel. Depending on arrival times, enjoy dinner at the hotel or one of Quito’s excellent local restaurants, and meet fellow anglers and your Marlin Expeditions hosts.
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of one of South America’s most historic capitals, with its colonial architecture, mountain setting, and vibrant culture. That evening, the group gathers for a hosted dinner and itinerary briefing, and meets Dr. Guy Harvey and Jessica Harvey ahead of the week’s fishing and tagging program.
The group flies to San Cristóbal and transfers to Hotel Indigo Galápagos in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Settle in, explore the waterfront, and take in your first views of the island before a welcome dinner with fishing orientation and safety briefing.
The fishing begins. Each morning, anglers head to the productive offshore banks for striped marlin, with shots at tuna, dorado, and wahoo. Days on the water with the Harveys offer insight into billfish behavior, marine research, and best-practice releases. Throughout the expedition, each guest will have the opportunity to help deploy a satellite tag, subject to conditions, fish availability, permitting, and research protocols. A light breakfast is available before departure; lunch, snacks, and drinks are served aboard.
Trade the fishing grounds for a private water and snorkeling tour around the island. Expect encounters with sea lions, marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, sharks, and blue-footed and red-footed boobies, with scenic stops for swimming and snorkeling, conditions permitting. Lunch is served aboard.
Back offshore for two final days. Fish conventional tackle, pitch baits to feeding fish, or take on the challenge of a striped marlin on fly. The last day may close with a friendly shootout celebrating the week’s best releases and moments on the water.
Explore San Cristóbal on land: volcanic geography, unique wildlife, and sweeping viewpoints that reveal the island’s distinct character.
After breakfast, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for flights to Quito. Depending on international connections, an overnight in Quito may be advisable. Marlin Expeditions will provide recommended routing and flight guidance well in advance so the group can travel together.
Roughly 600 miles off mainland Ecuador, the Galápagos sit where several powerful ocean currents meet. That fuels an extraordinary concentration of marine life and a renowned striped marlin fishery.
This expedition targets the islands’ productive early-season window. Other Pacific marlin may show up, but striped marlin are the main objective: powerful, acrobatic fish, some pushing into the 200- to 300-pound class. Dorado, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo can add to the daily action.
Skilled local captains and mates know the banks around San Cristóbal intimately. The program works for every experience level. Whether you’re new to billfishing, want coaching on pitch-baiting, or hope to land a striped marlin on fly, the team will be there to help.
What truly sets this departure apart is the conservation element. With satellite tagging, your release becomes part of a larger scientific story, tracking movements, habitat use, and migration patterns that inform the future of healthy billfish populations. Fishing alongside Dr. Guy Harvey and Jessica Harvey adds another dimension. It’s more than sharing a cockpit with accomplished anglers. It’s a chance to learn from two people deeply committed to sport fishing, marine science, visual storytelling, and ocean stewardship.
The expedition will fish aboard the 38-foot Mantarraya 1 and 36-foot Don Wacho, two boats purpose-built for the striped-marlin fishery around San Cristóbal. Both vessels feature large working cockpits and practical fishing platforms that allow anglers to stay close to the action, whether teasing, pitch-baiting, fighting fish on conventional tackle, or preparing for a fly-fishing opportunity.
Each boat is operated by experienced local captains and mates who understand the offshore waters of the Galápagos and the behavior of the region’s striped marlin. The crews bring the local knowledge, teamwork, and calm professionalism needed to capitalize on fast-moving opportunities when fish appear in the spread.
The boats are outfitted with the necessary fishing equipment and emergency gear for offshore operations. They also carry gear for use during snorkeling and island-tour excursions, allowing the expedition to transition seamlessly from a hard-fishing day on the banks to close-up exploration of the Galápagos’ protected marine environment.
For the GHF satellite-tagging component, the team will coordinate all tagging activities according to applicable research, permit, safety, and animal-welfare protocols. The priority will always be responsible fish handling and a strong release condition.
Guests will stay at Hotel Indigo Galápagos, an elevated oceanfront retreat located in the heart of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island. Its waterfront location provides convenient access to the town, local dining, island activities, and the harbor where the expedition’s fishing and touring program begins.
The hotel blends contemporary design with island-inspired details, offering a refined but relaxed base after long days offshore. Spacious rooms, many with private balconies and Pacific views, give guests a comfortable place to recharge between fishing days and adventures around the island.
After time on the water, guests can enjoy locally inspired cuisine at Darwin’s Secret, relax by the infinity pool, or take advantage of the hotel’s spa amenities. The property’s balance of comfort, style, and proximity to San Cristóbal’s waterfront makes it an ideal fit for a premium, hosted Galápagos experience.
In Quito, the group will stay at a conveniently located hotel near Mariscal Sucre International Airport, providing a comfortable and efficient start to the expedition before the flight to San Cristóbal.
This expedition is priced as a fully curated package, with meals in the Galápagos, a one-day snorkeling tour, four days striped marlin fishing, standard boat tips, professional instruction and support, a local guide, accommodations in San Cristóbal, accommodations in Quito on the first night, and airport transfers included.
Airfare to and from Quito and San Cristóbal, Immigration/Transit Control cards, and park-entrance fees are not included.
To secure and confirm your reservation with Marlin Expeditions, the following payment schedule is required:
Reservations are only considered confirmed once the deposit and all payment terms are satisfied within the specified deadlines.
Repeat clients, active-duty military, and veterans qualify for special discounts, please contact the director for more information.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to Marlin Expeditions at [email protected].
a. Administrative Cancellation Fee
b. Standard Cancellation Deadlines
The cancellation terms depend on trip length:
c. Forfeiture & Floater Credit
If you cancel within the non-refundable period but your vacant spot is resold and the trip runs at full capacity, your deposited funds (less the administrative fee) may be placed into a Floater Credit for future expedition use.
d. Failure to Appear / No-Show
Travel insurance and emergency evacuation coverage are not included in your expedition fare and are strongly recommended to protect your financial investment, trip fare, and personal safety.
Policy Notes & Definitions
Terms such as “days prior to departure” are calculated based on calendar days from the scheduled departure date.
Every participant must accept the Expedition Participant Release before fishing. It confirms that offshore tournament fishing carries a real risk of serious injury or death, that you accept those risks, and that you give up the right to sue the operators, its sponsors, The Marlin Group Network LLC, other participants, and vessel captains and crew — including for their own negligence. It also covers indemnification, authorization for emergency medical treatment, insurance you are expected to carry yourself, and use of photographs and video taken at the event.
You will be asked to accept it when you register. Please read it in full first — this summary is not a substitute for the release itself.
Read the Expedition Participant Release →
Registered anglers, crew and guests under 18 also require a completed Parent or Guardian Authorization →
Marlin Expeditions isn’t simply booking a charter. Every trip is hosted by experienced staff who coordinate logistics, provide on-the-water instruction, help anglers maximize opportunities, and create a shared experience among like-minded offshore fishermen. Our goal is simple: bring anglers to the world’s best fisheries at the right time and ensure they get the most from every day on the water.
Contact the Director
Myles Blatt
[email protected]
(562) 563-8862
