What to pack (and not to pack) for Galapagos
Here are six things we specifically packed for visiting the Galapagos in November.
Water shoes - for wet landings. A wet landing is where you are taken by zodiac (a small sturdy, inflated board) to shore, and you will step off the boat into the water and then walk on dry land. These can be any style of water shoe, ideally not flip flops as the terrain can be rocky and you want them to be secure on your feet.
Binoculars - we packed a small set of binoculars and actually found we didn’t use them much. The wildlife in Galapagos is seemingly unphased by your presence, and therefore wishing the parameters of governing park rules, you can get quite close for optimal viewing.
Reef safe sunscreen - it is the rule in Galapagos National Park that you only wear reef safe sunscreen, so seek out your local store to pick some up. Most mineral sunscreens are reef safe.
UV blocking SPF fabric rash guards or swim shirts for snorkelling. We love being in the water and made it a priority to swim at every available opportunity. If this is you, you’ll want long sleeve clothing of this nature for beach visits and potentially snorkelling too. I didn’t wear my rash guard under my shortie wetsuit (provided on loan by National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions) but my husband chose to. It’s all about personal preference.
Dry bag backpack - key for any time you are on and off a zodiac, be it only touring to protect your camera and other items from being splashed, or to hold your towel when leaving articles on the beach when participating in snorkelling. Good for your sunglasses, water bottle and any other articles you may wish to bring with you on outings.
GoPro underwater camera. Or another brand. You may find your most memorable moments are riding a zodiac to view seabirds or curious sea lions; spent while kayaking or snorkelling beneath the water. Why not capture those moments as best you can with an underwater camera. We saw some folks using waterproof pouches for their smartphones, and that could be an option to consider too.
Here are five things I did not pack for our expedition in Galapagos.
A wetsuit. Most providers who offer expedition cruises to Galapagos provide wetsuits complimentary for your exclusive use throughout your journey. On day one we were assigned one, available in a wide range of sizes for all folks, and it was ours to use throughout. They are washed and cleaned between expeditions, so we felt comfortable using theirs. Some people did pack their own, one woman we spoke to even rented one from a local dive shop back home to bring. It is important to know if your expedition company provides them, if there is an additional charge or if you need to pack your own. Water temperatures can be as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of dry season, so consider if you require a wet suit.
Devoted hiking shoes. There are a variety of footwear you may want to bring for your trip, but I settled on bringing running shoes only, not both hiking shoes and running shoes. Roughly 30-40% of guests aboard our first expedition to Galapagos had proper hiking shoes, it just depends on your preference and of course, space in your suitcase.
Snorkel, face mask and fins. These were provided and most, if not all, expedition cruise lines provide them. Be sure to ask and clarify so you don’t purchase something you may not need for your vacation. Especially since fins take up a lot of space in your suitcase.
When I visit Galapagos again, and I plan to sooner than later, I would not bother packing binoculars. Although I brought them this first time, I didn’t feel I got good use of them personally.
Rubber boots/muck boots. When visiting the Galapagos tortoises on Santa Cruz, you’re likely to visit El Manzanillo Ranch, where the giant tortoises congregate and roam free. For this visit you will swap the footwear you have on, with the complimentary provided rubber boots. Simply exchange these when you’re there, and be grateful to have them. The tortoises are remarkable to view, (some living over a hundred years!), but they do produce a lot of waste, and you will be grateful to have loaned rubber boots.
We are specialists in Expedition travel - if your desire is to see Antarctica, the high Arctic, Galapagos, around Africa or Australia or the world over. Please reach out with any questions you may have, we’d be happy to answer, email travel@princeadventures.com
A good time to book your National Geographic - Lindblad expedition is in August, or between November and January each year. Sales around World Wildlife Day and promotional seasons may offer attractive rates. We’re happy to navigate this for you and create your reservations.
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Read our Galapagos article on when is the best time to visit Galapagos here.
Thanks for reading, wishing you safe travels ahead!
Jakki Prince, CEO Prince Adventures
We are in no way affiliated with any one tour provider and share only our paid experiences to help best advise you about your travel plans. We are a travel agency based in Canada and through our personal travel experiences, we can educate ourselves to make informed recommendations for your dream vacations. You would’t want to work with a travel advisor who never traveled, would you?