Hi everyone,

In April 2027 I'm going to the Galapagos on a liveaboard and I'd like to better understand the situation regarding the use of lights and flash, because I've received two answers that contradict each other.

Galápagos National Park (written reply from the Directorate): no flash and no continuous artificial lighting for photos and video, both on land and underwater. The ban applies regardless of the type, number, intensity or duration of the lights, and keeping a light on continuously is not an exception.

Boat operator: the ban only strobes (flashing lights). Continuous lights, would be allowed as long as they stay on without flashing and the distance indicated by the naturalist guide is respected.

The two versions are not compatible, so I'd like to ask those who have been recently (last 1-2 years):

• On your boat/cruise, were you able to use video lights or strobes for photos and video? With what limits?

• Was the ban strictly enforced by the guide or by the Park (checks, warnings)?

• If lights were banned, how did you work in natural light? Setup, filters, settings, which subjects work best?

• Did you notice differences between sites (Darwin and Wolf, Roca Redonda, Isabela, Fernandina...)?

Thanks to anyone willing to share their experience!

interested to hear about this - it might make packing easier without the strobes, I'm planning on Galapagos in 2-3 years

Was just there two weeks ago, south islands up to Darwin. The only restriction was use of strobes with seahorses. Other than that, no issues.