Know Before You Go

© 

What to Pack for a Galapagos Islands Cruise

The following packing list contains general recommendations for a small-ship Galapagos cruise. If you are currently booked on a Galapagos adventure with Nat Hab, please consult your pre-departure materials for the most up-to-date packing list specific to your trip, as packing recommendations vary based on the ship and season. You will receive these pre-departure materials 60–90 days before your departure.

Items indicated in color below are typically available in the Nat Hab Gear Store. Please note that due to global supply chain issues beyond our control, we cannot guarantee that every item will always be in stock.

Adventure Guidelines

  • We recommend bringing mostly clothing for warm weather; however, we have included a few items on the packing list for cool weather as well. This is because evenings can sometimes be a bit chilly on the boat and also at Nat Hab’s Tortoise Camp. While there is a chance you may end up not needing the extra layers, we still recommend bringing them with you, just to be safe.
  • While the Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination, some months tend to be slightly cooler or hotter than others. The hottest months are usually February through April and the coolest are August through October. Please see the When to Go section for more information on weather in the Galapagos.
  • Due to the hot and humid conditions found at sea, we highly recommend bringing clothes made of synthetic, quick-drying material. If wet with rain, sea water or sweat, cotton items may not always dry completely.
  • It’s best to wear neutral tones and use fragrance-free sunscreen while on the islands to avoid attracting wasps.
  • Include rain gear in your carry-on bag.
  • You may wish to have some nicer clothes for time spent on the mainland or for dinners on the boat, although this is completely optional.
  • Storage space is limited on the boat and some ships cannot accommodate hard-sided suitcases. Please pack your gear in a soft-sided, collapsible bag that can be stored away easily.
  • This is a sub-tropical boating journey, and you will be exposed to very strong sun, wind and water. Many guests have lived in their swimsuits with just a light shirt to protect their arms, shoulders and back from sun. Keep in mind that some of what you bring may get sweaty, wet and possibly mildewy due to ocean sailing. You will also encounter dust, sand and salt, and you may feel a little grubby from time to time. You will be able to wash out clothing in the sink and dry them on the line, on deck.

Clothing

  • Lightweight neck gaiter (included in your pre-departure package)
    —Provides sun, wind and/or dust protection.
  • Lightweight, breathable, waterproof (not water-resistant) rain jacket, with hood 
  • 1 warm fleece or thicker layer 
  • Tennis shoes or lightweight hikers
  • Sport sandalsi.e. Tevas, Chacos, Keens, etc. 
  • Sun hat with brim 
  • 2 pairs of comfortable lightweight pants
  • 1 pair of nylon, zip-off pants (useful for warm days and cooler mornings and evenings)
  • 1 pair of jeans or heavier pants (optional)
  • 1–2 lightweight long-sleeved shirts 
  • 6–8 short-sleeved T-shirts  (we recommend moisture-wicking fabrics, and avoid bold colors that may attract wasps, such as red and black)
  • 3 pairs of shorts (you may not need as many pairs of shorts if you are bringing zip-off pants)
  • Undergarments
  • Lightweight wool/synthetic blend hiking socks or synthetic athletic socks (only needed on our Hiking & Kayaking adventure,  to protect against sunburn when paddling)
  • Sleepwear
  • 2 swimsuits (for daily snorkeling excursions)
  • Rash guard (for snorkeling)

Additional Gear

  • Reusable water bottle (included in your pre-trip package)
    —In our continuing effort to operate our adventures with as little impact on the environment as possible, you will receive a reusable water bottle (unless you opted out on your Booking Form) to take with you on your adventure. We will provide drinking water throughout the adventure for you to refill your bottle. By doing this, you will avoid using multiple disposable plastic bottles.
  • Carabiner (to attach water bottle to kayak, if you wish to kayak)
  • Water-resistant daypack  (to carry camera gear and other equipment during island walks)
  • Binoculars
  • Sunglasses with UV filter and secure strap (polarized glasses help you to see through the reflection at the surface of the water and can be very useful while looking for marine life)
  • Earplugs (useful for blocking out boat noises)
  • Toiletries (shampoo and soap are provided at all of Nat Hab's accommodations)
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen and lip balm (at least SPF30)
  • Motion sickness medication such as Scopolamine patches
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Prescription glasses/contact lenses
  • Battery-operated alarm clock or wristwatch
  • Headlamp/flashlight (optional)
  • Washcloth
  • Dry bags or reusable waterproof bags  (Bring several sizes. They are very useful for wet or dirty clothing and for protecting camera equipment.)
  • Pocket-size Spanish/English dictionary (optional)
  • Snorkel, mask and wetsuit (Snorkeling gear and wetsuits will be provided during Nat Hab's Galapagos adventures.) 
  • Snorkeling life jacket (optional)
  • Paddling gloves (optional; to prevent blisters and protect against sunburn while paddling, if you plan to kayak)
  • Swim cap, snorkeling gloves and booties (optional; to protect against sunburn, or provide warmth, while snorkeling)
  • Extra duffel bag  (optional; to bring home souvenirs on your return trip)
  • Collapsible walking stick or hiking poles (optional)
Browse Our Small-Ship Galapagos Cruises
Repeater Layout : vertical-2up
Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience 16
New Ship!

Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience

Small-group adventures aboard your choice of private yachts, led by our outstanding naturalist guides and photo pros. Snorkel and swim with sea lions, sea turtles and penguins on this incomparable nature odyssey.
Year-Round
$7995 (+air)
16
Photo Departures Available
Make it Custom Make it Private
New Ship!
Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure ~14
New Itinerary!

Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure

Paddle, hike and explore in places not included on typical trips! Our catamaran-based adventure offers rare access to less-visited spots (and extended paddling time) with our special kayaking permits.
10 Days / Year-Round
$8495 (+air)
~14
Photo Departures Available
Make it Custom Make it Private
New Itinerary!
Know Before You Go

Send Me Travel Emails

Get the Inside Scoop on the

World of Nature Travel

Our weekly eNewsletters highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Get Weekly Updates

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more.

Privacy Policy
We're Proud of the Reputation We’ve Earned
Outside
Voted "World's Best Travel
Company"
by Outside Magazine
Outside
Natural Habitat Adventures Ranked
“Best Outfitter”
NatGeo
Voted Best Winter Trip: Natural Habitat Adventures' Monarch Butterfly Migration, Mexico
VIEW MORE AWARDS

Request Your 2023 Catalog

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Nathab 2024 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly a hundred nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Request Your 2024/2025 Catalog
Continued - Page 2 of 2
To help us customize your catalog request, please tell us more about your travel needs:
Thank you for requesting a catalog
We’ve received your request. If you have any questions about our trips, please feel free to contact an Adventure Specialist today by calling 800-543-8917.

Get Weekly Updatess

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Us a Message
Thank you for your message

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Refer a Friend,
Get $250 Off
Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

Thank you for the referral!

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2023 Digital Catalog

View Our 2024/2025

Digital Catalog

Help us save paper! We offer a digital version of The World's Greatest Nature Journeys. If you'd prefer a mailed copy, please provide your contact details here. To view our digital catalog, please enter your info in the form to the right.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
View Digital Catalog
Happy browsing!

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Adventure Cruises

Adventure Cruises

Photography Adventures

Photography Adventures

Women's Adventures

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Contact Us

Have a question or comment?
Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
  • Closed on Sunday
Call 800-543-8917
Questions? Click to Chat
Questions? Click to Chat
/know-before-you-go/galapagos-islands/packing-list/