We've just come back from a bucket list trip to the Galapagos Islands, where we enjoyed a wonderful liveaboard expedition cruise to explore the islands and the wildlife! If you're wondering what to pack for such a unique adventure - you've come to the right place.
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What to Wear (for women)
Casual tees and tanks. Bring 2-3 casual tops for wearing around the ship and to dinner. You won't need anything too fancy.
Activewear tops. Think tops you would wear to the gym. These are for hiking excursions! I brought two of these activewear tank tops and alternated wearing them for hikes. You won't hike every single day so two is enough.
Athletic pants or shorts. Also for hiking, you will want some appropriate bottoms. You can go with shorts or pants. I went with these cropped workout pants, which gave me some protection from sun and insects without making me too hot. And they have a pocket for your phone!
Swimsuits. Obviously! I suggest packing two, so you can alternate and have one drying while the other one is in use. I suggest going with something supportive and full coverage as this is an active trip! Think function and comfort over cuteness for this one. ;)
Long sleeved rash guard tops. Don't bother packing the short sleeved ones. The sun is brutal here, even when it doesn't feel especially hot out. And it's even more intense in the water. Bring at least two rash guards - I brought three. These Body Glove rash guards are my preferred brand for comfort. And this zip up kind are also nice as cover ups when hiking. We live in Florida, so I know my rash guards!
Swim leggings. I wore these swim leggings with my rash guard as an alternative to a wetsuit. This works really well if the water is on the warmer side, or they can be worn underneath a wetsuit for especially cold temperatures to keep you warmer and make the suit slide on and off more easily. It also helps keep the sun off your legs and protects against jellyfish stings!
Quick Dry Shorts - These are very handy for hiking and for wearing over swimsuits on the panga rides. I brought this pair, which I also use for the beach and boating back at home.
Casual shorts. For wearing around the boat in the evening, or into town if your cruise itinerary stops in any of the inhabited port areas.
Casual pants. For chillier nights on the ship, I found it nice to have some lightweight linen pants. I actually brought two pairs, but really just needed one.
Pajamas. Of course you will need something to sleep in. I like these lightweight sleep shorts paired with a tank top.
Light Button Up Shirt - Again, the sun can be brutal. I suggest having some kind of lightweight long sleeve top that you can throw over your t-shirt or tank top when the sun gets too much. This can also serve as a light coverup for any chilly evenings on the ship.
Undies, sports bras, and socks. You can never have too many! I will say that I didn't wear a real bra even once on this trip. It's a very active agenda, and I wore a sports bra every day, unless I was in a swimsuit. Also be sure to bring more underwear and socks than you thin you'll need, or plan to do some washing in the bathroom sink. You are going to sweat!
Rain jacket. The weather can be unpredictable and the agenda doesn't pause for rain. You can also get quite wet on the panga rides if the water is rough. We brought our waterproof Columbia rain jackets. These things kept us dry in Iceland's waterfalls, so Galapagos was no problem at all. I also found it useful for shielding my camera from splashes on the boat!
Sun hat. I am not a hat person, but the sun is pretty intense here. I finally caved and bought one of these floppy hats, and I have to admit it was pretty cute and convenient.
What to Wear (for men)
Casual tees. These are for wearing around the ship and to lunch and dinner with the group. You don't need any fancy button downs unless your specific cruise requests such a thing.
Activewear tees. Think tees that you would wear to the gym. You will use these for hiking trips. I suggest bringing at least two so you can alternate them. Technical shirts that dry quickly are ideal - all the boys in our household prefer these Under Armour tech tees.
Gym shorts or lightweight hiking pants. These are also for hiking, so you should consider whether you will be most comfortable in shorts or pants. My husband wore athletic shorts and was very comfortable. But some men chose to wear hiking pants. The zip-off style pants are a really popular option for kids.
Swim trunks. As with the ladies I suggest bringing two swimsuits so that you can have one drying while the other is being worn. Any style swimsuit is fine, but you'll find that American-style swim trunks are the most common.
Long sleeved rash guard tops. And you will also want some long sleeved sun shirts to protect you from sunburn. My son likes the kind with the hoodies.
Casual shorts. These are for hanging out on the ship or wearing into the towns, depending on where your cruise itinerary stops. Khaki or jean shorts will work just fine. Lightweight is best.
Comfy lounge pants. These are for sleeping or hanging around the ship in the evening. Think comfy but still presentable to be seen by strangers. These Under Armour Brawler pants are my son's go-to.
Socks and underwear. Again, bring more than you think you will need or plan to do some sink laundry. This will be an active and sweaty trip.
Rain jacket. Everyone should have a fully waterproof rain jacket to throw on for hikes or wet panga rides, as needed. Our Columbia jackets were a great investment that we have been using since our trip to Iceland many years ago. I also use the kid's version for my son.
Brimmed hat or baseball cap. My husband bought a big, goofy Galapagos themed hat that he wore out hiking. But if that's not your style, you can go with a regular baseball cap. Anything that will keep the sun from your eyes. These melin hats are great for the water.
Footwear - Very Important!
Now this is super important packing info, so pay attention to this part. You will find that any footwear you wear ashore during your cruise, can not also be worn onboard the ship. So if you wear the shoes off the ship onto an island, you will place them on an outdoor shoe rack, where the crew will clean them up before the next excursion. So basically indoor and outdoor shoes.
This is partly to keep the ship clean of course, but also to help prevent cross-contamination between the various islands. It is a sensitive ecosystem after all!
Further, you will have a mix of dry and wet landings on your cruise, each with different footwear needs. A dry landing means you will exit the panga onto dry ground. Although the dry ground will likely be some sharp rocks, and not a dock. A wet landing means you will exit the panga by stepping into the water, which may be a sandy bottomed beach or a rocky surface. So you will need shoes for both types of landings.
Dry Landing Shoes. These are your shoes for hiking on dry ground. Some of the terrain can be very rocky or slippery, so it is recommended that you have some sturdy footwear with a good grip. This can be proper hiking shoes or something like trail runners with a decent grip. I wore these Altra trail runners. They worked great, and I already had them in my closet!
Wet Landing Shoes. These are your shoes for stepping out into the ocean. I recommend using water shoes with a nice firm sole and a bit of grip. This will make a big difference when you exit onto slippery rocks. Our whole family used these water shoes - inexpensive and worked great.
All-in-One Option. Now if you want to just have a single pair of shoes for both dry and wet landings, these Keen sandals or Teva sandals are popular choices. I personally can't stand either one, as they let sand and rocks get inside, but a lot of people love them so I feel obligated to give you the option. ;)
Onboard Shoes. For onboard the ship, you have the option of going barefoot, wearing socks, or using a clean pair of shoes. We brought clean flip flops to use on the boat and that was perfect. (I have a long-standing relationship with my Rainbow sandals.)
Toiletries & Medications
Now, I am not going to list every toiletry you should pack, as I assume you've mostly got that covered. But here are a few special considerations for the Galapagos.
Reef Safe Sunscreen. The Galapagos Islands are a very special and sensitive ecological environment. So be respectful and use a reef safe sunscreen while swimming there. We like Blue Lizard, which is what we use at home in Florida too.
Bug Spray. Mosquitos are not a huge problem here, but they are around. And if you're one of those unlucky people who attracts them, like me, you'll be glad to have some repellant. You need DEET- don't bother with the natural stuff. It doesn't work. I like the wipes for travel.
Med Kit. You are going to be on a ship, 600 miles out in the Pacific Ocean, with no land stops scheduled for multiple days. So... bring anything you might need. My med kit included antibiotics, nausea meds, anti-diarrheal meds, antihistamines, Children's Motrin for my son, and antihistamine cream (for jellyfish stings). We needed several items and were able to provide some to other guests as well. So be prepared!
Seasickness Meds. This is getting it's own bullet point because it's super important. The water can be rough. Much rougher than anything you've experienced on a traditional cruise ship. We were really rocking and rolling the first night at sea. So bring your favorite seasickness remedy, even if you don't think you'll need it. I prefer Bonine, because it doesn't make me drowsy. But Dramamine is also a popular option. If you need something more serious, see your doc about getting the seasickness patch before you leave home.
Your ship will likely provide you with biodegradable toiletries, and it is preferred that you use these to the extent possible. So no need to bring all your own things from home, unless you have ones you can not live without.
Electronics & Camera Gear
Camera & Lenses. If you are at all into photography, this is the trip to bring out the real camera. And while I've seen others suggest that you don't need a long lens, I vehemently disagree with that advice. I used my Nikon Z8 with a Sigma 150-600mm lens for 100% of my Galapagos wildlife images, and I definitely needed the extra reach. Was it heavy to carry around? Yep. Did my back hurt? Also, yep. I am sorry? Nope. ;)
Of course, you don't have to go all-in like me. If you're dabbling in photography, consider something like the Nikon Coolpix P1100, a bridge camera, which has a nice long zoom and doesn't require you to learn much to get good shots.
Waterproof Camera. Yes, you need one. You will be sorry if you don't bring it. The best choices are a GoPro or a DJI Action camera. Ideally, with the underwater case and a nice floating handle or floating wrist strap. If you don't want to invest in one of these options, the next best thing is to put your phone in one of these waterproof bags for snorkeling.
Extra Memory Cards & Batteries. Just bring twice as many as you think you need.
Snorkeling Gear & Wetsuits
Now, this is another area to check with your ship. Nearly all Galapagos cruises will provide snorkeling equipment and wetsuits either free or for a small charge. So you really don't need to bring your own unless you need something specific like an unusual size or a prescription mask.
But if you are travelling with children, you may want to bring their own gear that you know fits. Many of the ships will have limited children's sizes. Or if your just prefer to have your own well-fitted stuff... that's totally fine too.
We actually do have our own gear that we like, so we brought it along. If you are considering purchasing your own, here's what I recommend.
Snorkels, Masks & Fins. I personally like these Cressi sets, which are nice quality but still pretty inexpensive. The fins are shorter in length and designed to be worn without booties or dive socks. This makes them easier to pack and super comfortable to wear for long periods.
However, my son needed something smaller for a kid-sized face, and this Greatever mask in the smaller size fit him very nicely. I paired that with the Cressi find from the set above for him.
Wetsuits. We brought along a wetsuit only for my son, so we would know he had one that fit properly. We went with this full length 2mm wetsuit from Seaskin, and it worked perfectly. And was a great price too. They do make the same thing in adult sizes as well.
Miscellaneous Gear
Water Bottles. Our ship actually provided everyone with souvenir reusable water bottles, so that is something to check in on. We didn't know this though, so we brought our own which were nice to have for hikes and snorkeling excursions. I'm a fan of the CamelBak stainless steel bottles because they stay cold for so long!
Waterproof Backpack. You will be out adventuring most days here, and will need a way to carry around the essentials without getting them soaked on wet landings. Something big enough for water, a few snacks, sunscreen, a snorkel/mask, and a towel. I really liked this Osprey Dry Stuff bag. If you want something sturdier and higher end that is completely submersible, take a look at the Yeti Panga backpacks. If you just need to keep your phone dry, grab a Booe belt bag.
Sunglasses. Self explanatory. Some cheap polarized ones are a good idea, to better see the sea life beneath the water line.
Cabin Snacks. Your cruise will take good care of you in the food department. But if you're a grazer or you're traveling with kids, you'll want to have some snacks available in the cabin as well. We brought these ramen noodles and a collapsible mug, so they could be made with just hot water from the tea kettle. Plus breakfast bars, fruit snacks, and honey stingers. Be sure to check the prohibited items for Galapagos immigration so you don't bring anything prohibited. The rules are strict to protect the environment!
Packable Games. We always bring a few packable games in my son's bag, so we can have our own evening entertainment. We do this in hotels around the world, so why not in the Galapagos too? My favorites are Uno, Phase 10, or Guess in 10.
Cash - Cash is king in the Galapagos. You will need $20/person cash for your TCT card at the departing airport and $200/person cash for the park entry fee when you land, unless these fees are being handled by your cruise operator. You will find many smaller restaurants or shops in the islands are cash only. Tips for your naturalist guide and crew are paid in cash at the end of your cruise. And if you are running a bar tab, some ships will need cash payment for that too. Plan accordingly!
Bonus Items!
Galapagos Wildlife Guide. Santa brought this fun little waterproof wildlife guide for my son this past year. We had a lot of fun taking it along on our hikes, seeing how many species we could identify.
Books...
Things You Won't Need to Bring
Towels. If you're doing a land based portion of the trip, you may find it handy to have your own lightweight packable towels for taking to snorkeling spots on your own. But if your itinerary is all cruise based, there's no need. Your ship will provide towels.
Jeans. My husband brought jeans, thinking they would be good for dinners or wearing on the island before our cruise. No. They were way too hot. And heavy to carry too.
Dressy Clothes. Not needed at all. Dinner was very casual every night, with most people wearing shorts or casual pants and tees. Unless your ship has specified a dress code or has some kind of formal night planned, you can dress very casually.
Binoculars. Okay. this might be controversial. But we have really nice binoculars that we packed based on other people's packing lists, and they were totally not necessary. Unless you are some kind of serious birder, you will be able to see the wildlife just fine without this.
Banned Food Items! We brought plenty of snacks, as I mentioned. But be aware that there are some strict agricultural inspections when entering the Galapagos, so e sure to check the list of banned items before you pack. No fresh fruit, dairy, or meat. Most sealed, packaged snack items are perfectly fine. I disclosed what I had on our form and no one asked me any further questions about it.
Drones. While this is an amazing photography destinations, drones are banned in the entire Galapagos National Park without a permit, so just leave it at home.
That's a lot of gear, I know! But don't let this list stress you out - the crew has seen it all, and if you forget something, chances are they can help you out or you can grab it in Puerto Ayora before you set sail. The one category I'd really encourage you not to skimp on is seasickness meds and sun protection.
If you're still deciding on a ship or itinerary, check out our guide on how to choose a Galapagos cruise. And if you want to see exactly what this gear got put to use for, read our full Ecogalaxy cruise review.
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