The Complete Galapagos packing list – what to pack for a Galapagos trip

Last Updated on December 14, 2024

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Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many. Their remoteness and variety of unique species of plants and animals are among the things that draw nature lovers to the islands. When you finally get to visit your dream destination, it’s important to come well prepared, so you can get the most out your experience. Whether you are going on a cruise, or exploring the islands independently, there are certain things that should be on your Galapagos packing list.

Weather in the Galapagos

Galapagos Islands have 2 seasons: January to June is the hot season. This is when temperatures are the highest and water the warmest. Rain showers occur quite frequently, and the islands are very lush. The dry and cooler season falls between June and December. Temperatures start to drop, and water can be pretty cold. As a reference, I traveled to San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz at the end of November. Over the 10 days I was there, it didn’t rain once. It was sunny and 70 F every day in San Cristóbal and around 60-65 F in Santa Cruz. With the sun very strong though, it did feel warmer.

Galapagos packing list

Whether you are visiting Galapagos Islands on a cruise or on your own, your trip will be an active one. Exploring the islands usually involves a lot of hiking, snorkeling and boating. It’s important to pack the right things for the most comfort and the best experience. While your choice of clothing will be determined by the season you travel, there are certain things you should put on your packing list for Galapagos year-round. I put together a list of things I was happy to have, as well as those I didn’t think to bring, and I wish I had (i.e. water shoes).

Snorkeling

Snorkeling gear – even though you can rent it on the islands, I always prefer to bring my own. My favorite brand is Cressi and you can get just the mask and the snorkel, or a set with flippers.

Rash guard – your trip will most likely have lots of snorkeling on the agenda, and a rash guard is a really good idea. The water in the Galapagos is much colder than you expect, especially if you travel during the dry season. Plus, a rash guard will provide extra protection from the sun.

Photography

Camera – Galapagos Islands have so many once in a lifetime photo opportunities, that bringing a good camera is a must. I know a lot of people stick to their phones when taking pictures these days, but in my opinion, it’s not enough for a destination like Galapagos Islands. A good camera will always take better photos.

This Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless camera is a one of the best travel cameras out there. It’s compact, light, takes amazing pictures and it’s an excellent value for money. Paired with a good lens, it’s still a solid camera, despite being on the market for several years.

Lens – as far as lenses go, there’s no need for fancy zoom lenses. In the Galapagos Islands you can get very close to wildlife in most cases, so a lens like this Sigma 16mm f/1.4 will be sufficient.

SD Memory card – one thing I can guarantee, you will be taking an insane number of pictures during your Galapagos trip. You can trust me on that. Have a backup memory card, just in case.

GoPro – when you are in the water swimming among sea lions, you will regret not having a GoPro or any underwater camera with you.

Extra batteries and charger – GoPro’s battery life is really short, especially if you’re shooting videos. I recommend bringing at least 3 – 4 extra batteries, as well as a charger, since GoPro itself does not have come with it. I really like this GoPro Dual battery charger, which comes with two batteries.

Floating hand grip – if you spent a few hundred dollars on a camera, you probably don’t want to lose it. This official GoPro hand grip will keep your Go Pro safe and afloat if you let go off it and the orange accent makes it easy to spot. Besides that, having a handle makes it much easier to use your Go Pro while swimming.

Electronics

Plug converter – Ecuador uses the same plugs as US, so US travelers do not need a converter. If you are visiting from other countries, you’ll need to pick one up. This Universal power adapter will get you covered, not just in Ecuador but anywhere else you travel internationally. It’s small, portable and also has 3 USB ports, so you can charge multiple things at a same time.

Portable phone charger – since we use our phones for so many things these days, having a portable charger is a must. It will come in handy when you are out all day on an excursion or just exploring. I recently got this 2 pack charger and didn’t expect much, but it’s pretty excellent for the price. Once charged, it holds the charge for a long time.

Luggage

It doesn’t matter whether you’re going on a cruise, or plan on island hopping on your own, packing light for Galapagos is a key! If you’re cruising, your cabin will most likely be small, and you don’t want to take up half that space with your big suitcase. If your exploring Galapagos on your own, chances are you will be doing some island hopping, taking water taxis and ferries between the islands. Dragging a huge suitcase behind you is the last thing you need. On top of that, flights to Galapagos have luggage weight restrictions, so pack as light as possible. That’s coming from someone who over packs EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Osprey Farpoint 55 backpack – this backpack is a great alternative to a small suitcase. Its soft exterior makes it much easier to handle vs. giant suitcase. It comes with a detachable day pack, which is a great feature.

Small daypack – you will need a small bag to pack all the necessities for a day, whether you go to the beach or take an excursion. This Osprey daypack is very comfortable, and most importantly holds a lot of stuff. It’s easy to keep everything organized with many different compartments.

Packing cubes– no packing list is complete without packing cubes. They come in different sizes, and are great for keeping your stuff organized. This way your bag does not become one big mess, while you are trying to look through your things.

Drybag – while in Galapagos, either on a cruise or on your own, you will be surrounded by water at some point. If you have any electronics on you, this bag is a must to keep them dry. I personally have been taking my Earth Pak waterproof bag for a few years now anytime I know my trip will involve any kind of boating. It comes with a small pouch, that is perfect for a phone or a small camera you use while i.e. kayaking.

Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes – your trip to Galapagos will include a decent amount of walking and hiking, so having comfortable shoes is essential. Even if you decide to head to the beach, you will need to walk either from town or where the taxi drops you off. There are paved pathways leading up to most beaches, that cars (or even bikes) have no access to. The walk can be anywhere from 10 – 40 minutes, depending on the beach.

Water shoes – your Galapagos packing list MUST include water shoes, especially if you’re going on a cruise. There will be transfers from the cruise ship to the dinghy boat, and walking in water is not unusual. Teva shoes are a great, high-quality option, which can also be used for light hiking.

Clothing

Galapagos Islands are a very casual place. There’s absolutely no need for fancy clothes, as you will have nowhere to wear them. Instead, you should focus on putting comfortable clothing on your packing list for Galapagos.

Hat – don’t forget to pack a wide brim hat to protect your face from the sun, that is no joke on the equator.

Light rain jacket – I’d recommend bringing a light rain jacket not only in hot season, when you are more likely to experience occasional showers, but year-round. Even if you travel in dry season, and go to the highlands, it’s usually much cooler and misty there.

Swimsuits

Beach cover ups – this is another way of keeping your skin from burning while at the beach.

Shirts from light and breathable materials.

Other essentials

Sunscreen – broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must. The sun on the equator is really strong and can burn you before you know it. You have to reapply it throughout the day many times to avoid it, so make sure you have enough to last the entire trip. If you forget it or run out, a bottle of sunscreen on the islands can cost you up to $30. Consider choosing a reef safe sunscreen, free of chemicals, that contribute to reef destruction. Although no sunscreen is a 100% safe for reef and marine life, there are a few brands with significantly less harmful ingredients, and they are easily available. Sun Bum and Thinksport SPF 50+ are both great choices for a reasonable price.

Lip balm with SPF – you really have to put sunscreen everywhere; the sun is that strong. A lip balm with SPF will protect your lips from burning. This is an item I wish I had, because I ended up burning my lips at the beach.

Bug spray – this depends on the season and where in Galapagos you are going. There were no bugs on the 2 islands I visited in November, with the exception of Garrapatero beach on Santa Cruz, which is known for really annoying flies. But it’s not a bad idea add a small can of bug spray to your Galapagos packing list. There are also wipes, which are even easier to travel with and just as effective.

Motion sickness pills – if you’re prone to sea sickness, motion sickness tablets are a good idea. I prefer Bonine over other brands, as it’s both effective and non-drowsy.

Reusable water bottle – tap water is not safe to drink in Ecuador, and that includes the Galapagos Islands. Instead of buying endless plastic bottles, that are terrible for our environment, bring a reusable water bottle and refill it. Hotels usually provide big water dispensers you can use.

Quick-dry towel – this will come in handy if you are heading to a beach and don’t want to carry a big, bulky towel. This towel is light and dries really quick.

Binoculars – while you will see a lot of wildlife up close, you might want to bring a pair of binoculars for spotting birds. Both Bushnell H2O and Occer 12×25 come highly recommended, as they are great quality, without breaking the bank. You don’t want the cheapest binoculars, but the good ones can get pretty expensive.

Spanish phrasebook – when you travel to Galapagos, especially independently, you will need more Spanish than you think. All the taxi drivers I encountered on both islands spoke Spanish only. Small stores, cafes and restaurants had no English speakers either. Knowing some basic Spanish was very helpful, so was bringing my Lonely Planet’s travel phrasebook & dictionary. I travel with it to every Spanish speaking country and it came in handy more than once.

Travel insurance

Galapagos Islands are an incredible destination and a once in a lifetime trip for many. Getting a good travel insurance is always a good idea, especially in a destination so remote. World Nomads is a great choice with many options, that guarantees finding a coverage you need.

READ NEXT:

• Galapagos Islands on your own – know before you go
• Exploring Galapagos on a budget
• My must have travel essentials
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• What to pack for an Alaskan Cruise

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