Use our Ultimate WHOA plus Galapagos Packing List as a guide for what to bring along while you’re exploring Galapagos. We’ve packed this packing 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 and 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!

3 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. We love Superfit Hero.

UNDERWEAR

Bring as many pairs as you know you’ll want! TomBoyX and Go Buck Naked make quality performance underwear.

DAYPACK

You’ll need a lightweight hiking backpack to wear on the hikes and to carry your water, extra layers, snacks, etc. Something between 20-30 L should work perfectly. 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. We love Gregory because they have an exclusive line of packs for plus-size hikers!

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

Type III PFD (Personal Flotation Device)

This item is mandatory - and you’ll be so glad you’ve brought your own with all of our boat rides. A PFD, commonly referred to as a life jacket, is required for all inter-island open water transports and boating activities including kayaking. (You do not need to wear one during snorkeling if you feel comfortable with your swimming abilities.) When sizing your PFD, measure the widest part of your chest to ensure proper fit. Check out the Onyx MoveVent (which fits chest sizes up to 56”) and the Yukon Sport Paddle Life Vest (which fits chest sizes up to 70”)

Dry bag

During your adventure, you’ll be in and out of the water a lot. You’ll need a dry bag to bring with you to keep your gear dry, especially while kayaking. We recommend the Sea to Summit 5 L Big River dry bag or similar. Whatever bag you get, make sure it’s waterproof (NOT water resistant) and try testing it before you leave home - you can put a piece of paper in the bag and then submerge in water.

WATER BOTTLE

Staying hydrated is so important when you’re being active near the equator! Please bring a sturdy 1L or bigger water bottle.

TREKKING POLES

These are mandatory, and 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 faves at Leki. Please bring rubber tips for better grip on lava rocks (and to protect the rock). Metal tips are fine for the Sierra Negra hike.

BONUS: You get 20% off Leki poles for being a part of the WHOA family! Just use this special link and your discount will be automatically applied. (For free shipping use code FREE99 at checkout.)

BUFF OR BANDANNA

A versatile item to always have with you! You can use it as a neck gaiter, head band, sweat rag, etc. Plus, there are so many different fun designs to choose from! If you get a buff to wear around your neck, make sure it has UV protection.

HEADLAMP (Optional)

A headlamp is helpful to have as the sun sets early on the equator. Bring a rechargeable headlamp or if it’s battery powered 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. Pro tip: Polarized lenses can de-laminate with ocean spray - rinse yours at the end of each day to extend their use!

1-2 SWIMSUITs

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

Long Sleeve swim SHIRT & Leggings (OPtional, but recommended)

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 and when surfing to avoid a belly rash when trying to catch a wave.

CAMERA + EXTRA BATTERIES

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!

Snorkel gear (optional)

All snorkeling gear will be provided by our local partners on days with snorkeling included. However, if you wear glasses you can bring prescription snorkeling goggles. If you want to snorkel on your own during free time, bring your own goggles and snorkel. For safety reasons please do NOT bring full-face snorkel masks.

MEDS

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

NOTE: 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. Whatever you bring, make sure it is non-drowsy.

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! 

packing cubes/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 upcycled toiletry bag made from 100% recycled polyester to make Mother Nature extra proud!

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 for long travel days, it’s nice to have a comforting snack from home. (Keep in mind that any sort of chocolate bar might melt in checked luggage.) Once on the islands, there are many shops with snacks available for purchase.  

On a different note, packing extra snacks can be 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.