A suitcase is packed with a snorkel mask, binoculars, sunscreen, pink packing cubes and other colorful items. Knowing what to pack for the Galapagos is a key part of a successful trip.
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The Galapagos are sunny, salty, dusty, and remote — here’s what I’d bring again after 30 days of island-hopping.

First, what to pack for the Galapagos Islands is a little different from packing for a typical beach trip. You need clothes for hot sun, layers for cool mornings and boat rides, gear for snorkeling, shoes for lava rock and dusty paths, and enough of your must-have items that you are not depending on small island stores to save you.

Bill and I spent 30 days island-hopping in the Galapagos, and I learned quickly that function matters a lot more than fashion here. My cute clothes stayed home, my swim shirt and pants were one of my favorite things I packed, and my brand-new white socks were basically ruined by the dust within a week.

This guide for what to pack for the Galapagos is meant to help you bring what you actually need for a Bucket List island-hopping trip, skip what you do not need, and avoid a few packing mistakes I made.

Quick Galapagos Packing Tips

Before we get into exactly what to pack for the Galapagos, here are the big things I would keep in mind.

  • Pack light enough to carry your own luggage.
  • Choose function over fashion.
  • Bring quick-dry clothes whenever possible.
  • Pack layers for cool mornings, evenings, and boat rides.
  • Bring anything you truly rely on because the island stores are very limited.

Kari’s Travel Tip: The Galapagos are not fancy. You will be on boats, beaches, dusty roads, lava trails, and snorkeling tours. Pack for comfort, sun protection, and easy movement. I did not bring any dresses or fancy clothes. Everyone on the Islands is dressed in shorts and t-shirts (and swimwear of course).

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A giant tortoise rests in a grassy field while Bill and Kari stand smiling behind it wearing backpacks, t-shirts and shorts. Dressing comfortably for the high humidity in the Galapagos makes a big difference to enjoyment.

What to Pack for the Galapagos: The Essentials

When deciding what to pack for the Galapagos, think less about outfits and more about active island days: boats, beaches, snorkeling tours, lava trails, strong sun, and limited shopping.

Luggage and Bags

Luggage matters more in the Galapagos than you might think. You may be carrying it to ferry piers, loading it into water taxis, climbing in and out of boats, and potentially hauling it up steep stairwells at your lodging. Plus the streets and sidewalks are uneven and bumpy.

I would keep it as light and manageable as possible.

Pack:

I would not bring oversized luggage unless you really need it. Bill and I each had a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, plus our medical cooler, and that was plenty to manage while island-hopping.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Do not assume your hotel or apartment will have an elevator. We carried our gear up steep stairwells to the second or third floor every place we stayed.

Travelers step from a yellow water taxi onto the Galapagos pier while carrying backpacks, rolling suitcases, and tote bags. Packing light matters when deciding what to pack for the Galapagos.

Clothes

The Galapagos Islands are extremely casual, so think outdoor clothes, not outfits. Pack:

  • Shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Lightweight long-sleeve shirts – these are critical to preventing sunburn
  • Quick-dry pants or leggings – I love these Baleaf pants for travel
  • Light sweatshirt or fleece
  • Light rain jacket
  • Underwear and socks
  • Sleepwear

Quick-dry clothes are especially helpful because laundry and rinsed-out swimwear can take a long time to dry in the humidity. I’d avoid cotton if you can.

I would also avoid white clothes or white socks. The Galapagos can be surprisingly dusty, especially on Isabela where many roads are packed dirt. My brand new white socks looked dingy after about a week, and I never got them clean again.

We did laundry a few times while on the islands for a small fee. Ask your hotel or look for Lavenderia businesses on the streets – they are everywhere!

Posing beside the Charles Darwin monument on the waterfront in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a fun stop while exploring San Cristóbal on foot.

Shoes

You do not need a lot of shoes for the Galapagos, but you do need shoes that can handle sand, lava rock, boats, and wet landings.

Pack:

  • Comfortable walking shoes or tennis shoes – we brought our regular New Balance shoes
  • Water shoes or sturdy water sandals such as Keens
  • Flip-flops or sandals for lodging and casual walks

Closed-toe shoes are necessary for lava trails and longer walks, while water shoes or sturdy sandals are useful for snorkeling tours, wet landings, and rocky shorelines.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Do not bring brand-new shoes to the Galapagos. You want broken-in shoes that are comfortable, grippy, and okay getting dusty, salty, and scuffed.

Snorkeling and Water Gear

If you plan to snorkel in the Galapagos, think about comfort, fit, and sun protection. Tour companies usually provide or rent the big items, but bringing a few of your own things can make the day much better.

Pack:

Most tours provide:

  • Fins
  • Snorkel gear
  • Towels

I left my cute swimsuit at home for this trip and decided to try a swim shirt and pants instead. I ended up loving them! I had additional protection from the cold water and I had more protection from the sun. Plus, I didn’t have to add another shirt when it was time for the hiking part of the tour.

Kari and Bill stand on a boat with Kicker Rock in the distance, wearing casual sun-protective clothing for a Galapagos snorkeling tour. This photo shows why swimwear, layers, and comfortable boat-day clothes matter when deciding what to pack for the Galapagos.

Wet suits are more hit or miss as to whether they are included in a tour. By asking ahead, you can rent them for the day if they are not included.

Bill and I brought our own snorkel and masks because we knew they fit. Then we rented fins and wetsuits when needed. That worked really well for us.

Kari’s Travel Tip: If you get cold easily, ask about wetsuits before you book a snorkeling tour. The Galapagos water can feel much colder than you expect, even when the air is warm.

Sun Protection

The Galapagos sun is intense, even when it does not feel that hot. You are near the Equator, and you will spend a lot of time on beaches, boats, lava rock, and open trails with very little shade.

Pack:

For sunscreen, read the ingredient label carefully. You need to protect the delicate environment that is the Galapagos by using reef-safe sunscreen. I did a ton of research on this and the best reef-safe sunscreen contains Zinc Oxide and does not contain Oxybenzone or Octinoxate. I like the Blue-Lizard brand which is SPF 50+

Kari’s Travel Tip: Do not mess around with sun protection in the Galapagos. I liked having swim pants and a swim shirt because they protected me from both the sun and the cooler water, especially on longer snorkeling tours.

Kari takes a photo with her camera while riding on a boat in the ocean. She's wearing her swim shirt and wide-brimmed hat for sun protection. Knowing what to pack for the Galapagos means a few smart choices.

Camera, Tech, and Travel Tools

You do not need a ton of tech for the Galapagos. For most travelers, a phone will capture plenty of great memories, especially scenery, town moments, beaches, and close wildlife.

Pack:

  • Phone and charger
  • Airalo eSIM or international phone plan 
  • Waterproof phone pouch  
  • GoPro or underwater camera, if you want snorkeling photos or video
  • Binoculars, especially for birds and distant wildlife
  • Camera with a good zoom, if bird photography matters to you

Bill used his phone for the whole trip, and that was enough for him. I brought my Canon SX70 camera because I love bird photography and wanted a better zoom for blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, hawks, penguins, and albatrosses.

Kari’s Travel Tip: If you don’t own a GoPro, don’t stress. You can rent one for the day. And the naturalist guide often takes videos and pictures with a GoPro and will share them at the end of the tour.

Toiletries, Meds, and Health Items

When deciding what to pack for the Galapagos, most of the items in your regular travel toiletry kit are fine, so I would not overthink it.

Just remember that the Galapagos are remote and the stores are small. You may not be able to easily replace your preferred brands or medications. Bring what you need with you.

Pack:

  • Prescription medications
  • Motion sickness medication
  • Bug spray, if you are sensitive to bites – we encountered bugs when hiking
  • Any personal care items you truly rely on

Motion sickness medicine is the big Galapagos-specific item here. The ferries and day tour boats can be rough, and seasickness can hit even people who are not normally prone to it.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Take motion sickness medications before getting on the boat. Once you are already feeling sick, it is a lot harder to turn the day around.

My Galapagos Ferry Guide explains what the inter-island ferry process is really like and why seasickness meds are worth packing.

Documents, Money, and Travel Basics

Keep your most important documents easy to reach throughout your Galapagos trip. You may need them at airports, ferry check-ins, lodging, and tour offices.

Pack:

  • Passport
  • Transit Control Card (TCT)
  • Proof of onward or return travel
  • Travel insurance information
  • Credit cards
  • Cash in small bills

If you have not completed the TCT application yet, my guide on How to Get to the Galapagos Islands walks through the TCT, biosecurity form, airport process, and entry fees step by step. 

Your passport and TCT card are especially important. Do not tuck them somewhere impossible to reach once you arrive, because you may need them more than once as you move between islands.

Kari’s Travel Tip: I keep a photo of important documents on my phone and a backup copy stored securely online, just in case something gets lost or wet.

Kari walks away down a stone Galapagos trail wearing a sun hat, backpack, shorts, and comfortable walking shoes. This photo shows why simple hiking clothes, sun protection, and a daypack belong on a Galapagos packing list.

What I’m Glad I Packed for the Galapagos

These are the things I was especially glad I brought.

  • Swim shirt and swim pants – These were my biggest packing win for sun protection, colder water, and snorkeling tours that also included walking.
  • Reef-safe sunscreen – The Galapagos sun is strong, and you need more sunscreen than you think. I used the reef-safe Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ found on Amazon.
  • Snorkel and mask -If you already own a snorkel and mask that fit well, bring them. We rented fins and wetsuits, but having our own mask and snorkel made the water days easier.
  • Binoculars -The Galapagos are incredible for birds and wildlife. Even though many animals are close, having binoculars helped with birds, shorelines, and distant movement we might have missed otherwise.
  • Motion sickness medication – Even if you do not usually get seasick, bring it. The ferries and day tour boats can be rough, and you do not want to be stuck wishing you had packed something.
Bill sits on a beach swing in the sand, wearing casual clothes and white sneakers. This is the kind of easy, comfortable outfit that worked well for beach walks, town stops, and low-key Galapagos exploring.

What NOT to Pack for the Galapagos

These are the things I would skip or be very careful about packing.

Fresh food, seeds, nuts, fruit, vegetables, or meat

Because the Galapagos Islands are a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, the biosecurity rules are strict for a reason. You should only bring unopened, commercially packaged snacks and avoid anything fresh or loose.

Fancy clothes

The Galapagos are very casual. Unless you have a specific reason to dress up, you probably do not need dresses, nice shoes, jewelry, or special dinner outfits.

Too many shoes

Shoes take up a lot of space, and you really do not need many pairs. A good walking shoe, water shoe or sturdy sandal, and something casual for your room or short walks is plenty.

White socks or white clothes

The islands can be dusty, and light-colored clothes can look dingy fast. Bring darker, easy-care clothing instead.

Anything you would be upset to ruin

Saltwater, sunscreen, sand, lava rock, boat spray, and dust are all part of the Galapagos experience. This is not the trip for delicate clothes, expensive shoes, or anything you want to keep pristine.

If you are still building your trip plan, my Galapagos Itinerary Guide can help you decide how many days you need and which islands to prioritize.

Kari sits beside a bronze Charles Darwin statue while wearing casual black travel clothes, white sneakers, and a backpack. This simple outfit shows the kind of comfortable, unfussy clothing that works well when deciding what to pack for the Galapagos.

Conclusion: What to Pack for the Galapagos

Knowing what to pack for the Galapagos is not about bringing everything. It is about bringing the right things.

If I were packing again, I would keep the same basic approach: pack light enough to carry my own luggage, choose function over fashion, bring quick-dry clothes, add layers for cool mornings and boat rides, and make sure I had anything I truly rely on before getting to the islands.

Once you are there, the Galapagos are casual, active, and remote. The less you have to wrestle with your luggage or worry about missing gear, the more you can focus on the wildlife, the water, and the reason you came all that way in the first place.

More Galapagos Travel Guides

Here are some more posts about visiting the Galapagos Islands. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.

Overall Galapagos Planning Guides

Santa Cruz Island Galapagos Guides

Isabela Island Galapagos Guides

San Cristobal Island Galapagos Guides


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