Galápagos Packing List

Packing for the Galápagos is mostly about three things: getting wet, staying out of the equatorial sun, and fitting it all into one soft bag. Dress codes are casual, laundry is often available, and the ship usually supplies the bulky snorkel gear.

What catches people out is the stuff they did not think of: a hat that blows off in the panga, sandals that slide off on a wet landing, or a phone that meets salt water. This list covers what earns its space, what is worth buying, and what to leave at home.

1. Luggage: One Soft Bag and a Daypack

The airline and your cabin both reward packing light.

Flights from Quito and Guayaquil to the islands generally allow one checked bag of 23 kg (50 lb) and a carry-on of about 8 kg (17 lb), and excess baggage is sold only if the plane has room. Small-ship cabins on 16-guest yachts have little storage, so a medium soft duffel that squashes under a bunk beats a hard-shell case.

Add a small daypack for shore visits. It should be water-resistant or have a rain cover, because pangas take spray and wet landings mean wading ashore. If you are combining the islands with the Andes or the Amazon, see our Galápagos packing and gear hub for longer-trip strategies.

2. Clothes for Warm and Cool Season

Same list, different weighting.

The islands sit on the equator but are cooled by ocean currents. From roughly December to May, days are hot and humid with short showers. From June to November, the garúa season brings cooler, often overcast days, breezy evenings on deck and colder water. Our guide to Galápagos weather by month has the details.

Neutral colors work well, and synthetic or merino fabrics dry overnight in sea air where cotton stays damp for days. Most ships are relaxed at dinner: clean shorts or trousers and a shirt is about as formal as it gets, even on luxury vessels.

3. Footwear for Wet and Dry Landings

Two pairs do almost everything.

A wet landing means stepping from the panga into knee-deep water, then walking up a beach. A dry landing means stepping onto rocks or a dock, often slippery and sharp. Trails can be loose lava, boulders or soft sand.

• Sport sandals or water shoes with a heel strap: for wet landings, beaches and tide pools. Flip-flops slide off in the surf.
• Closed-toe walking shoes or light hikers: for lava fields, the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela, and longer highland walks. Ankle support helps on uneven rock. Clean the soles thoroughly before you fly; seeds in the treads are a biosecurity concern.
• Flip-flops or deck shoes: for the boat. Many ships keep landing shoes in a bin and ask guests to go barefoot or wear clean shoes inside.

4. Snorkel Gear: What the Ship Provides

Bring a mask that fits; borrow the rest.

Most cruise ships include masks, snorkels and fins, and most offer 3 mm wetsuits free or for a modest rental fee. Hotel-based day tours usually provide gear too, though quality varies. Check with your operator before deciding what to pack.

• Your own mask: the single most useful upgrade, since a leaking loaner spoils a sea lion encounter. Prescription masks are worth it if you wear glasses.
• Snorkel with a dry or purge valve: helpful for beginners and in choppy water.
• Rash guard: adds sun protection and a little warmth under a wetsuit.
• Wetsuit: worth bringing only if you run cold or have a fit issue. Water drops to about 19–22°C (66–72°F) in the cool season. See our picks for the best wetsuit for the Galápagos.
• Short travel fins: optional; ship fins are usually fine.

5. Sun Protection

The equator does not negotiate.

Sunburn is the most common complaint on a Galápagos trip, often from a long snorkel with an exposed back. The UV index regularly reaches extreme levels, even on overcast garúa days.

• Reef-safe mineral sunscreen: park rules prohibit sunscreens with oxybenzone or octinoxate during water activities. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide formulas are the safe choice. Plan on 2–3 bottles of 3 oz or more per person for a week; island shops sell it at a steep markup. Our best reef-safe sunscreen picks narrow it down.
• Wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap: pangas are breezy, and a hat in the water is a hat gone.
• Polarized sunglasses with a strap: cut glare on the water and help you spot rays and turtles.
• SPF lip balm and after-sun lotion.

6. Camera, Binoculars and Dry Bags

Wildlife comes close; salt water comes closer.

The animals are famously unbothered, so a long telephoto lens is less essential than in Africa. A phone or compact camera handles most shots on land, and a 70–200 mm or similar zoom helps with birds.

• Waterproof camera or phone housing: for snorkeling with sea lions, turtles and penguins. See the best underwater camera for the Galápagos.
• Compact binoculars (8x or 10x): for frigatebirds, whales and distant albatrosses.
• Dry bag (10–20 liters): protects electronics on panga rides and wet landings.
• Spare batteries, memory cards and a power bank: cabins may have limited outlets. Ecuador uses US-style plugs at 120V.

Flash photography of wildlife is banned, and drones need prior park authorization, so leave the drone at home unless you have a permit.

7. Health and Seasickness Kit

Small bag, big difference.

Even calm-season crossings happen at night in open water, and seas are usually roughest around August and September. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your preferred remedy and start it before the first overnight passage. Our guide to Galápagos seasickness compares options.

• Motion sickness tablets, patches (prescription in the US) or acupressure bands
• Personal prescriptions in original packaging, plus a few extra days’ supply
• Blister care, plasters and antiseptic for lava scrapes
• Rehydration salts and a reusable water bottle; ships refill them
• Insect repellent for the highlands and wet season

8. Documents and Cash

Ecuador uses the US dollar, and the islands still run on cash.

Bring your passport (valid for six months), printed copies of your cruise confirmation and insurance, and enough cash for the fees and tips you will pay before you see an ATM. The $200 Galápagos National Park fee is generally paid in cash on arrival, and the $20 Transit Control Card is paid at Quito or Guayaquil airport if you have not bought it online. Clean, untorn bills in small denominations avoid problems.

Budget separately for crew and guide tips, which are typically paid in cash at the end of a cruise; see Galápagos cruise tipping. Carry your insurance details too; our Galápagos travel insurance page explains what cover to look for.

9. What to Skip

Some things are unnecessary; some are banned.

• Prohibited by biosecurity rules: fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds, live plants, soil, raw wood and wooden crafts, and camping gear. Sealed snacks are fine. Bags are scanned before the island flight, and you complete an online declaration.
• Single-use plastics: plastic bags, straws and disposable bottles are restricted in the islands. Bring a reusable bottle and tote.
• Formal wear and jewelry: nobody dresses up, and valuables are a liability on a panga.
• Heavy hiking boots: light hikers or trail runners do the job.
• A full-size hairdryer or too many shoes: cabin space is limited.

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