The Ultimate Galápagos Packing List You’ll Wish You Had Before Your Trip [+ Cute Outfits Ideas]
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Packing for the Galapagos Islands can feel overwhelming, but with the right list, it’s easy to be prepared for every adventure—from hiking volcanic trails to snorkeling with sea lions. This Galapagos packing guide covers what to pack for island-hopping trips, day tours, and even cruises, so you can travel light while still having everything you need.
Whether you’re flying in from Quito, Guayaquil, or adding the islands to a bigger Ecuador itinerary that includes places like Cuenca, Otavalo, or the Cotopaxi Volcano, this ultimate packing list will help you get organized. From breathable clothes and waterproof phone cases to snorkeling gear and a dry bag backpack, you’ll find practical tips for making the most of your time in one of the world’s most beautiful places.
I was backpacking through South America, and I had so much with me. I left some of my clothes and accessories in a Quito hotel and took the essentials with me. I was happy with my choice, but I wished I had some other accessories that would have made my life easier or, let’s say, more practical, such as a dry bag.
The good news is that you don’t really need much to enjoy the Galapagos thanks to the warm climate.
It’s a very laid-back place and even if you are staying in one of the few luxury hotels, they still have a quite casual ambiance.
In this post, you will find all the MUST-HAVE accessories in the Galapagos and some outfit recommendations and inspiration if you need to go shopping for your trip. 🙂
Before moving forward with this Galapagos Packing List, make sure you bookmark the posts below for later. They include precious tips to plan your trip.
Galapagos Packing List: What to pack for the Galapagos Islands
Here I am showing you how your Galapagos packing list is the shortest you have ever had! 🙂
- Shorts and T-shirts. I found these kinds of shorts very practical, especially during the boat tours where you can easily get wet, as they dry fast.
- Swimsuits. Click on the link for some beautiful swimsuits, if you wish to buy a new outfit for this special occasion. I bought three pairs of those shoes and I love them.
- Hat (if you use it, I didn’t)
- Ecological Sunscreen
- Windbreaker or a jumper, evenings and boat rides can get chilly. I picked this one on Amazon, very cheap and stylish, and you can find it in different colors.
Women’s Lightweight Waterproof Raincoat
Women’s Lightweight Waterproof Raincoat—Stay dry without the bulk
- Material: 100% polyester that’s waterproof, windproof, soft-touch, and lightweight
- Smart design: adjustable drawstring hood & hem, full-zip front, and two secure pockets
- Easy to carry: packs down neatly into the included carrier bag for travel and commutes
- Comfort on the go: zip-up style lets you adjust airflow and temperature as you move
- Versatile use: perfect for rainy days and as a windbreaker for hiking, camping, fishing, riding, and daily wear
- Care tips: hand wash only to protect the waterproof coating; avoid machine washing
- Reusable water bottle. Lifestraw is an option, but I have recently tried the Water-to-go Filter Bottle, which is quite handy if you don’t want to carry a heavy weight and you are near water sources for refilling. This one is quite small, 0.5L.
WATER-TO-GO FILTER BOTTLE
✔ Kills 99.99% of bacteria of all sorts, illness-causing contaminants, including those as small as a virus, pesticides and nitrates, heavy metals…
✔ Available in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
✔ Easy to use.
✔ Three month shelf life in total.
✔ Better protection for you and the planet. The filter replaces 400 plastic bottles, and the bottle is made from sugarcane.
- Or if you don’t care about the filter, I also just got this cute and stylish waterbottle that keeps the water cool for a long time, and it comes in different colors. I find it adorable, se below.
Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle—Stay hydrated anytime, anywhere
- A straw and handle in 1 lid: leak-proof lid with straw and handle makes drinking easy and convenient
- Keep drinks cold and hot: double-wall vacuum insulation keeps liquids icy up to 24 hours or hot for 12 hours
- Great materials: made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, BPA-free, safe to use, no metallic taste or rust
- Hand washing: easy to clean; bottle (not lid) is dishwasher safe but hand wash recommended to extend life
- Easy to carry: 24 oz size is perfect for outdoor activities, gym, work, or home use—durable and motivating design
- Underwater Camera or GoPro or similar: you will want to take some turtles and sharks back home with you, at least in pictures. I got the GoPro 4 when it came out and paid it a fortune. I can see that they have accessible prices now. The latest model is the GoPro Hero 11, and on Amazon, it is less than 400 USD.
Action Camera Features—Capture every moment with pro-level quality
- Capture, charge & auto highlights: get a highlight video created for you automatically
- Revolutionary sensor: advanced image sensor for next-level performance
- Unbelievable quality: crisp, clear, and vibrant image results
- High-res photos & videos: shoot in high resolution with smooth high frame rates
- HyperSmooth stabilization: Emmy® Award-winning tech for ultra-steady footage
- A camera with a zoom, you don’t want to miss capturing the spectacular wildlife. I have a Canon 6D, a grand angle Canon 16-35 f/2.8 LII, which I love for landscapes, but I stayed on the cheap for my zoom lens, and a Tamron 75-300 f5.6. It was not ideal, but it worked well. Also, because the Galapagos wildlife is extremely friendly and fearless, you can get very close, as you can see from my pictures.
- I have now upgraded to a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 Lens, and I can’t wait to try it in the Galapagos again.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens—Professional performance and reliability
- Constant f/2.8 aperture: maintains brightness throughout the entire zoom range
- Air Sphere Coating (ASC): reduces ghosting and flare for clearer images
- Optical image stabilization: up to 3.5 stops of shake correction
- Fluorine coating: front and rear elements resist smears and fingerprints
- Durable build: resistant to dust and water, with improved performance in harsh conditions
- Advanced focusing: inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor and full-time manual focus
- High image quality: one fluorite element and five UD elements deliver sharp results
- Close focusing: minimum focusing distance of 3.9 ft (1.2 m) with a diagonal angle of view of 34°–12°
- Flip flops, I always go for Hawaianas, although I admit they left me barefoot a couple of times in the middle of the road. It was embarrassing, but I always make a joke about my embarrassing adventures. At least I have something funny to tell.
- Now I have switched to Birkenstock, and although they are not as aesthetically pleasing, I grew fond of them, and I just got myself my second pair, which is full silicone, better for getting in the water.
- Birkenstock
- Unisex Shoes
- Slip On Shoes
- Surf Green
- Synthetic
- Gym or hiking shoes. I have these Merrell and I love them. I have been wearing them almost every day for 2 years, and they are still good, although a little worn out.
- Wetsuit and snorkeling gear, if you have your own; otherwise, you can rent them anywhere (It’s usually 5 USD for short wetsuits and 10 USD for long ones per day, and the snorkeling gear is 10 USD per day. If you want to have your own, it is understandable. About the wetsuit, I don’t like the long one, but I don’t even like to be cold. I was in Galapagos during the coldest season and the short one was good enough, although my friend still preferred the long. It’s a very personal choice. You will also need to check on the thickness. They normally go from 3 mm to 7 mm in very cold water. For the snorkeling gear, I also love to have my own, and now you can find very cheap ones on Amazon.com
- Jsnorklet womens wetsuit is specially designed for water sports, the main purpose of the wetsuit is to keep you warm in cold water.
- The wetsuit designed a zipper in the back side, which is very convenient to zip up and down, your can easily put on and take off the wetsuit without help.
- Three layers of diving fabrics back zipper wetsuit, the outer is imported nylon fabric, it is high elastic; the middle insulation is neoprene, it is high scalability, soft-close skin heating to keep warm.
- Womens full body wetsuit perfect for canoeing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, diving, swimming and other water sports.
- Handwash in cold water for this full wetsuits, do not machine wash. When you receive a new wetsuit, sometimes you will smell the pungent smell. Please don’t worry, this odor is not harmful to you, just hang it out in the open air, then will disapper
- Binoculars. I am not an expert on binoculars, so I will leave you this general link to a page with a variety of brands and prices. But I can tell you that in the Galapagos, you will be grateful to have one with you to spot all the amazing animal species around you.
- Dry/waterproof Bag. This is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Too bad I left it in a hostel, like much other important stuff I have left behind. I missed it on several occasions. I bought a new one as soon as I could. It’s so convenient for many reasons. For instance, when you travel alone and want to swim with your important stuff, you can get them inside and go for a swim. Similarly, when you are on a boat and don’t want your stuff to get soaked.
Earth Pak Dry Bag—Trusted, waterproof protection for every adventure
- Top rated by Wirecutter: chosen as one of the best dry bags of 2024 for durability, reliability, and value; classic roll-top design with a 5-year warranty
- Shoulder strap options: 10L & 20L bags include an adjustable single strap; 30L, 40L & 55L sizes feature backpack-style straps with sternum support; 55L also has a heavy-duty waist belt
- Waterproof phone case: includes IPX8-certified 6.5-inch phone case with snap-and-lock access and clear windows for taking photos underwater
- Travel-friendly: lightweight and compact design folds easily to fit in any luggage
- Keep items dry: available in 5L–55L sizes; roll down, clip, and protect your valuables on any outdoor trip
- Motion sickness pills, if it’s unbearable. I prefer to avoid it and just sit back in the open air and watch the horizon, but I know for many it’s not enough.
- My camera bag, the one that you see in the picture below, is a Temba, and I love it. I just bought a new model in a bigger size, after using the first one for six years. You can check out my video here.
I also have this convenient camera backpack, with a pouch that rotates to the front, so that while you walk, you don’t have to stop, unload the backpack, to get the camera.
Earth Pak Dry Bag—Waterproof gear protection made simple
- Top rated by Wirecutter: selected as one of the best dry bags of 2024 for durability, reliability, and value; roll-top design with a 5-year warranty
- Shoulder strap options: 10L & 20L come with a single adjustable strap; 30L, 40L & 55L include backpack straps with sternum support; 55L also has a waist belt for extra comfort
- Waterproof phone case: IPX8-certified 6.5-inch phone case fits most phones, with snap-and-lock closure and clear windows for photos
- Travel-friendly: lightweight and compact, easy to fold and pack into any luggage
- Dry and protected: available in 5L–55L sizes to keep your gear safe on every adventure
Galapagos Outfit Ideas
Besides the essential items I have mentioned in the previous sections of this Galapagos Packing list, I’ll share some shopping ideas in case you are in the mood for new outfits that are perfect for your Galapagos trip.
General beachwear
Swim suits: Bikinies and One Pieces (Cupshe)
Cupshe is my favorite brand because their bikinis and one-pieces are of very low quality and stylish, without being too expensive.
Bikini
One Piece
Breathable Linen Outfits
To hang out in town on any island in the evening for dinner after a good day exploring.
Shorts
I have selected these shorts that dry quickly for your boat excursions, as in the Galapagos Islands, they are one of the most popular and best things to do. You can wear them above your swimsuit, and if they get wet, they dry fast. But you can also use them for any hikes.
Tank Tops
These cute tank tops also go with the above shorts or casual pants I have selected for you (see below)
T-shirts and Shirts
You may want to have some long-sleeve shirts for the boat or chill evenings. Of course, bring a jacket as well. (see above)
Pants – Casual Wear
Both for day exploring or hanging out in the evening, these pants are casual and comfortable enough and yet stylish so that they become versatile, suitable for any occasion.
Galapagos Packing List: Final Thoughts
When planning your trip to the Galapagos, keep in mind that what you pack should match the season you’re traveling in. The warmer months (December–May) call for lighter clothing, extra sun protection, and plenty of swimwear, while the cooler, drier season (June–November) means you’ll want layers and a light jacket for breezier evenings.
No matter when you go, don’t skip the essentials mentioned above—things like sturdy walking shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof bag, and snorkeling gear will make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable. A thoughtful packing list will help you stay prepared for the islands’ unique mix of adventure, wildlife encounters, and ever-changing conditions. Enjoy the Galapagos!
Hi dear,
useful article, thanks!
Just a suggestion to your followers regarding the binocular:
Swarovski brand is with no doubt the best. I use the Swarovski 8×32 in the fields of the african savannah and it works perfectly for my needs, observing animals, while on game drives. If you are a passionate birder than you probably should go for a higher focal length which is yep expensive, but for sure a lifetime long lasting gift. So strong that goes with any type of climate and weather….and with those who are clumsy as I am.
Hello Barbara,
thanks a lot for your precious tips. I have found Swarovski on Amazon and they are quite expensive indeed, but I am sure will last forever and help you spot amazing wildlife. Thanks again! 😉