Use our Ultimate Galapagos Packing List as a guide for what to bring along while you’re exploring Galapagos. We’ve packed this list with our trail tested favorites and recommendations, plus lots of useful info on the best gear for adventuring in all of the Galapagos’ conditions.

Our biggest piece of advice is to pack light and smart, and bring durable, multi-use items that you can layer as temperatures and weather changes (because they will)! Test and break in all your gear beforehand. Use common sense and your own best judgment and discretion when choosing exactly what you pack. After all, no one knows you better than you! If you tend to run cold, pack an extra layer or two. If you have a finicky stomach, bring extras of your go-to snacks.

We’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear! Stocking up on quality gear from brands who are doing it right will make all the difference for enjoying all your adventures in the great outdoors!

2 PAIRS HIKING SOCKS

Bring durable lightweight wool socks. A couple pairs of liner socks are great to help prevent blisters too! We love Darn Tough COOLMAX Micro Crew Cushion Socks.

SPORTS BRAS

Bring bras that provide support, feel comfortable against your skin, dry quickly and don't bind, smoosh or chafe.

UNDERWEAR

Bring as many pairs as you know you’ll want! Check out REI’s Merino Hipster Underwear which are comfy and great for adventuring!

DAYPACK

You’ll need a lightweight hiking backpack to wear on the hikes and to carry your water, extra layers, snacks, etc. Something around 30 L should work perfectly. We recommend getting one compatible with a water bladder and hose. While some packs come with a pack cover in case of rain, not all of them do, so make sure you get a rain cover. Brands we love: Deuter, Osprey, Gregory.

Pro Tip: Bring a fanny pack to keep snacks, your phone, and sunscreen in for easy access.

Dry Pouch

During your adventure, you’ll be in and out of the water a lot. You’ll need a dry pouch to bring with you to keep your phone and personal items dry, especially while kayaking. We recommend the Sea to Summit dry pouch or similar. Whatever bag you get, make sure it’s waterproof (NOT water resistant).

WATER BLADDER (optional)

Staying hydrated is so important when you’re hiking! We highly recommend getting a water bladder. It’s the easiest way to carry and drink water while trekking.

WATER Bottle (FILTER OPTIONAL)

When it comes to sustainability at WHOA, we're working hard to eliminate plastic waste and one of the best ways to do that is by using a water filter. With the right water filter, you'll be able to fill your water bottle anywhere, anytime, and be ready for adventure!

Purified water is available at all hotels and camps, but you can bring a filter if you prefer filtered water or use it in Quito before heading to the islands.

We recommend getting a water bottle and filter from Epic Water Filters! All Outdoor Epic Water Filters have been performance-tested, and can be used on both tap and outdoor water sources to remove common waterborne pathogens, like giardia.

If you opt out of a water filter, make sure to bring a BPA free plastic Nalgene water bottle.

TREKKING POLES (optional)

These are a life (and knee) saver on varied terrain! Make sure they are collapsible, for easy stashing, and simple to adjust for up and downhill. Check out our favs at Leki.

BONUS: You get 15% off Leki poles for being a part of the WHOA family! Just use this special link to see our fav poles and save!

BUFF OR BANDANA

An all around great item to always have with you! You can use it as a neck gaiter, head band, sweat rag, etc. We recommend getting the Buff CoolNet UV+ with Insect Shield.

HEADLAMP

A mandatory piece of gear for all adventures. Make sure it is always in your daypack for any situation that calls for it. Start the trip with fresh batteries, and bring a spare set just in case. We love Black Diamond.

POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

You have to protect your eyes from the sun! Make sure they are UV-blocking and polarized. Goodr makes ones that are good (and cute) for hiking. And don’t forget your retainer strap so they don’t fall off!

1-2 SWIMSUITs

From snorkeling to kayaking and spontaneous beach time, make sure you have a swimsuit ready to go!

Long Sleeve swim SHIRT and Leggings

With all the water sports you’ll be doing in the Galapagos you’ll need a long sleeve swim shirt and swim leggings to prevent sunburn. While we love a cute crop top this is not the time to wear one. You’ll want full coverage of your back, arms, and legs, especially when you’re snorkeling to avoid a backside sunburn.

CAMERA + EXTRA BATTERIES (GoPro optional)

There are so many amazing photo ops! We highly recommend bringing a camera that is compact and durable. A GoPro with a waterproof housing is always a fun option when snorkeling, especially if you see a sea lion or penguin! Remember to always pack your electronics in waterproof bags or cases.

portable battery charger

Whatever electronics you choose to bring, make sure you have a way to recharge your batteries. We always have a portable battery charger on hand so our camera is charged and ready to catch any spontaneous dance parties that may break out!

binoculars (optional)

Love birds? If you do, consider bringing a pair of binoculars so you can get a closer look at our feathered friends. These are good for spotting whales while cruising between islands too!

goggles and Snorkel (optional)

All snorkeling gear will be provided by our local partners. However, if you wear glasses you can bring prescription snorkeling goggles if you’d like. For safety purposes please do not bring full-face snorkel masks.

MEDS

Common medications you might want to bring along include pain relievers, antihistamines, antidiarrheals, etc.

As we’ll be traveling by boat it’s important to bring motion sickness meds with you, even if you don’t tend to get sea sick. The waters surrounding the Galapagos islands can be choppy, especially when encountering waves made by other vessels. We recommend Bonine, but whatever you bring, make sure you check with your doctor and ensure it is non-drowsy. NOTE: Many motion sickness meds that claim to be non-drowsy noyl contain ginger, so make sure to check the label!

PASSPORT

Bring a waterproof bag to keep it safe and dry. Also, it’s always a good idea to travel with an extra photocopy of it.

Travel Insurance

Travel doesn't always go as planned! That's part of the adventure, and it's also the reason we require all of our adventurers to have a travel insurance plan that includes medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing a travel insurance plan ASAP to cover you financially with any costs that can come up like trip interruption or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. The IMG LX plan is one option that offers excellent medical and evacuation coverage, has no altitude restrictions, and offers cancel for any reason but do your research before purchasing a plan to make sure it works for you and your situation! 

DRY BAGS

When preparing your gear, pack everything in dry bags (or silicone bags for smaller items), we’ll be in the elements so we want to make sure our gear is always protected! We recommend bringing along different shapes and sizes of these to help organize and separate dirty clothing and gear.

For waterproofing your phone/passport/money, we recommend using a dry pouch.

SHOPPING BAG + PAPER BAGS

Having a stash of brown paper lunch bags, sanitary bags, or any form of biodegradable bag is great for collecting and carrying out trash on the trails and when we’re on the go. You’ll also want to bring a small reusable shopping bag to eliminate the need to use a single-use plastic bag for snacks or souvenir stops. They’re also handy to have in case you need another bag to take on the plane. Just another way to make Mother Earth proud!

FIRST AID

We’ll have all this stuff on hand, but make sure you have a compact kit with Neosporin, band-aids, moleskin, duct tape, antiseptic, etc. We like this one because it’s lightweight, waterproof, and has everything you might need.

SUNSCREEN + LIPSCREEN

This is a must have for being in the sun all day, even on overcast days! Check out Thrive Natural Body Mineral Sunscreen, it’s reef safe, is broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays, and the tube is made from recycled plastic. No matter what sunscreen you bring, ensure it protects against UVA/UVB rays, is SPF 50+, and reef safe to help protect our oceans.

INSECT REPELLENT

One of the challenges of island living is the insects. We recommend bringing Picaridin from Sawyer Products to apply each day.

TOILETRIES

Don’t forget the essentials like deodorant, sun screen, lotion, lip balm, hair ties, hair brush, face wipes, tampons, contact solution, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, masks, and ear plugs etc. Remember our pledge to keep single use plastics out of the places we love and aim to use reusable bottles, bar soaps and biodegradable products! Pack it all in this amazing upcycled toiletry bag!

QUICK DRY TOWEL + WET WIPES

Don't forget about the environment and make sure your wet wipes are biodegradable. This camp towel from Cocoon is great.

LUGGAGE LOCK

Always lock your luggage when it is being transported.

SNACKS

There’s plenty of hearty food provided at meal time, but be sure to bring plenty of extra snacks! The days can be long, you need to keep your energy up, and nothing beats comfort food when you're on the trails! Some of our favorite morale boosters are Cheez-Its, gummy worms, and Pringles. 

Packing extra snacks is especially important for those with dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate all dietary restrictions, due to the remote nature of our adventures, there might not be as much variety as you’d find at home, so packing the snacks you know you love is definitely advised. If you have questions about what to expect on your adventure when it comes to food, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.