Galapagos Island Travel Preparations
Packing Tips For Galapagos Island Travels
What Should You Bring On Your Vacation?
No matter what season you cruise, preparing for your family’s Galapagos Island Travels can be a task of its own. You want to make sure you are prepared for the weather conditions, pack comfortable footwear so you can easily walk around the islands, but also enough clothes to last you your vacation.
Situated near the equator, the Galapagos Islands have a temperate and subtropical climate. During the day, you will likely luxuriate in warm sunshine. Evenings can become cooler so packing to dress in layers is advisable, bringing along sweaters or windbreakers if it cools down. While on the islands, we recommend wearing casual clothing made of cotton or synthetics that are loose-fitting and comfortable. Short or long sleeved shirts, trousers or shorts are typical items that vacationers bring to this part of the world.
If your family will be doing any hiking or walking, sturdy shoes are a must. And, it is wise to have an alternate pair. We recommend you bring sandals that are equipped with Velcro fasteners in case of wet landings at the shoreline or if you will be hiking beach areas on your Galapagos Island travels.
Sunscreen and bug spray is important to include in your luggage as well. You will want to be protected from sunburn on warm days when you might be bird watching for extended periods of time or hiking inland. Plus, it is advisable to bring along a hat or cap for the same reason, along with sunglasses to reduce glare.
Dining onboard the vessel requires somewhat different attire. The Galapagos Explorer II requests a more formal, or ‘dressy casual’ clothing style when dining with the family. No sandals or tennis shoes are permitted at the evening meal so you’ll want to include regular shoes in your travel wardrobe.
Finally, if you and family will be enjoying the Jacuzzi on board the vessel or doing any swimming or diving around the islands, you’ll want to pack your swimsuit, a cover or sarong, and a wetsuit if participating in more rigorous water sports.
Overall, the island atmosphere is casual with only limited requirements for more formal attire. As such, you’ll find it easy to pack ‘light but layered’ for the environment that has few dramatic fluctuations during your Galapagos Island travels. For a more detailed list, please see the Dress Code Recommendations in the Cruise FAQS section of our website.
