The Ultimate Galápagos Packing List: What to Bring & How to Pack Smart
El Chato Ranch, Galapagos Islands
Packing for the Galápagos requires more than just swimsuits and flip-flops. The islands' strong sun, active excursions, and strict conservation rules mean that bringing the right gear can make a big difference in your comfort and overall experience. This packing guide ensures you have everything you need while keeping your luggage light and practical.
If you are interested in learning about the things we wish we would have known before going to the Galapagos Islands check out our blog post about it here.
Travel Essentials
Passport – Required for entry into Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Double-check that it’s valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
Cash (USD) – You’ll need $20 for the Transit Control Card (purchased at the Quito airport before your flight) and $200 for the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (paid upon arrival). Many small businesses and taxis are cash-only.
🔌 Plug Adapter – Ecuador uses Type A and B plugs (same as the U.S.), but voltage can differ. If your electronics are sensitive, consider a voltage converter to prevent damage.
💡 ATMs are available on some islands, but withdrawal limits are low, and fees can be high. Bring enough cash for small expenses, tips, and souvenirs.
Sun Protection
The Galápagos sun is strong year-round due to its location on the equator. Even on cloudy days, UV exposure is high, so taking extra precautions is essential.
☀️Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) – Chemical sunscreens are banned to protect marine ecosystems. Look for mineral-based options with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Baseball cap or even better, a wide-brim hat – the latter will offer better protection by shading your face, ears, and neck.
Neck gaiter – Not only shields your neck and ears from sunburn but also protects against dust when hiking dry, volcanic trails.
💡 UPF-rated clothing can add an extra layer of sun protection, especially for long hikes and boat excursions.
Clothing: Lightweight, Breathable, and Functional
Packing the right clothing will keep you comfortable in the heat, protect you from the sun, and accommodate active excursions.
Swimsuits (at least 2) – Since you’ll be in the water nearly every day, bringing a second swimsuit allows one to dry while you wear the other.
Rash guard – Protects against sunburn while snorkeling and helps keep you warm in cooler waters. Our first stop on our Galapagos adventure was to the island of Santa Cruz where we found our favorite shop, Darwin and Wolf. Here we found some great sun essentials (i.e. rash guards, neck gaiters) and gifts for family!
Loose, breathable, neutral-colored clothing – Avoid bright colors which attract unwelcome insects. Lightweight cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics work best. For nicer dinners think dry-fit type polos or linen button-ups with khaki shorts and flowy sundresses.
🌦️ Lightweight rain jacket – Though the Galápagos is relatively dry, sudden showers can occur, especially between December and May. Keeping a packable jacket on hand can help keep you dry when a quick bit of rain appears.
Water shoes – Essential for wet landings (stepping off a boat directly into water) and useful for short hikes over rocky terrain. These were the ones that we used: Olukai Boat Shoes and athletic water hiking shoes, but you can also look for teva sandals or other waterproof sandals with straps.
💡 Skip heavy clothing—temperatures are warm, and comfort is key. Keep it lightweight, such as long-sleeve shirt or rash guard that can help protect against sun exposure. If you are worried about getting cold, consider bringing a light weight cover up or pull over.
Snorkeling & Water Gear
The Galápagos offers some of the best snorkeling in the world, so having the right gear will enhance your experience and ensure you capture every moment.
🤿 Snorkel mask – While tours provide snorkel gear, bringing your own ensures a better fit and more comfort for longer sessions. If you plan on snorkeling on the inhabited islands or on your own without a cruise or excursion, it’s a great idea to pack one. We recommend one that is semi-dry or dry as both contain a splash guard. Ash loves to dive down to get closer to marine life. This type of snorkel makes diving underwater seamless and avoids any water from getting into the J-tube.
GoPro or waterproof camera – Essential for capturing underwater moments, from playful sea lions to marine iguanas. We recommend a GoPro (with a waterproof handle) for high quality resolution, but really any action waterproof action cam will do the job. Just make sure to find one with high resolution to capture those epic underwater moments.
Dry bag – Keeps valuables safe from water damage during boat rides and wet landings.
Waterproof phone lanyard – Protects your phone while taking photos on excursions. We used ours for snorkeling and kayaking (though there was a huge difference in our underwater shots between pictures with the phone lanyard and the GoPro)!
💡 If you tend to get cold in the water, consider packing a shorty wetsuit for added warmth during longer snorkeling sessions. Multi-day cruises should supply these for you. The water temperature can vary significantly between 65 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the time of year (December is typically the warmest, July is typically the coldest).
Sea Lion playing in the Galapagos Islands
Wildlife Essentials
The Galápagos Islands are a dream destination for wildlife lovers, and having the right equipment will help you make the most of every sighting.
Binoculars – Many species, such as frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies, nest on cliffs or in trees, making binoculars useful for better viewing.
🕶️ Sunglasses (polarized if possible) – Helps reduce glare from the water, making it easier to spot wildlife like the spotted rays and sea turtles. Also consider bringing a floating sun glass strap to keep from losing your glasses during activities like paddle boarding and kayaking.
Earplugs – Sea lions are adorable but noisy, and some hotels have roosters that start crowing early in the morning. Earplugs will help ensure a good night’s sleep while staying on the islands. These will also come in handy on the cruises to muffle the sound of the engines at night when moving between islands.
💡 Many animals blend into their surroundings, and a good pair of binoculars can reveal incredible details you might otherwise miss. Another tip is to make sure you have a camera or phone with long range zoom to capture those epic shots from far away. If you are on a budget, there are plenty of adapters on Amazon that you can buy to give your smartphone extra zoom capability (although it won’t increase the picture quality).
Motion Sickness & Health Essentials
We definitely underestimated the rough ferry ride between the inhabited islands and if you are on a cruise ship you can expect some swaying— being prepared can make all the difference.
💊 Dramamine or Meclizine – If you’re prone to seasickness, don’t skip this. The ferry from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal will be particularly rough. Take motion sickness medication in advance. If you are on a cruise and are prone to sea sickness - consider chatting with your Doctor about getting the behind the ear motion sickness patches (such as Scopolamine). Consider Tummy Drops as a supplement if your stomach is feeling a bit off. Ash takes these with her everywhere she goes.
Reusable water bottles – Single-use plastics are banned in the Galápagos, so bring a refillable bottle to stay hydrated. These came in handy on our daily excursions to keep hydrated while away from our hotel or cruise. Make sure to pack at least one per person - particularly ones that you know will not leak in a day pack.
Small first-aid kit – Pack band-aids, ibuprofen, and electrolyte packets to stay prepared for minor injuries or dehydration. Ash got lucky and the cruise had the Ecuador version of Pedialyte on board. The sun is so strong, it can really make you weak if you aren’t staying covered and hydrating enough. Definitely bring Liquid I.V. packets to add to your water for an extra hydration boost. Also consider ear drops if you are prone to swimmers ear. We both ended up needing drops halfway through our trip as we snorkeled almost every day and at times twice per day.
💡 If you get seasick easily, sit at the back of the ferry and focus on the horizon. If taking a multi-day cruise, request a room towards the middle of the boat.
Packing Tips & Extras
With small hotel rooms, compact cruise cabins, and frequent inter-island travel, keeping your packing light and organized is key.
🧳 Packing cubes – Helps keep clothing and essentials organized and easy to find with action packed days and early mornings.
Small backpack or Day Bag – We brought a large DryBag backpack for the two of us and it was ideal for daily excursions to carry water, sunscreen, extra layers, and other essentials.
Lightweight travel towel – Quick-drying or microfiber (we love SandCloud towels) are useful for beach stops or after snorkeling.
💡 Ferries, small hotel rooms, and cruise cabins make bulky luggage impractical.
What to Skip
To save space and avoid unnecessary items, leave these at home:
🚫 Bug spray – Mosquitoes were not an issue at all due to the remote location and Ash is a mosquito magnet! Strong chemical sprays aren’t allowed in the Galápagos anyway so you can leave these at home. Neck gaiters and thin long sleeve shirts will help keep gnats and horse flies off of you when near the flamingo gathering areas.
🚫 Heavy hiking boots – Trails are short and manageable with water shoes and lightweight hiking shoes/sneakers. The El Chato Tortoise Reserve on Santa Cruz gives you tall boots to move around the property as it gets muddy. There’s no need to bring your own for this - save space in your bag and leave your heavy boots behind.
🚫 Jeans & thick fabrics – These will not dry quickly and aren’t practical for the warm, humid climate.
Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Travel Light, and Enjoy the Adventure
Packing for the Galápagos is all about functionality—choose gear that will keep you comfortable, protect yourself from the elements, and minimize unnecessary weight. A well-packed bag allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience, whether it’s snorkeling with sea turtles, hiking lava fields, or watching blue-footed boobies in action. Prepare for an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s last truly wild destinations!
Also, check out the things we wish we would have known before going to the Galapagos Islands.
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