What to pack for a Galapagos expedition

I recently embarked on the most incredible travel experience to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. Here’s what I took with me — and what I wish I had taken, too!

Must-haves for your trip to the Galapagos

• Rash vest - this is essential for snorkelling and swimming as 1) it protects you more from the sun and 2) the sea is quite chilly in the Galapagos so it provided an extra layer underneath my wetsuit for warmth.

• Reef safe suncream - highly recommend using the brand Blue Lizard as it rubbed in nicely (no white cast) and is safe for water-based excursions. Remember, the Galapagos is a protected marine conservation reserve so it’s easy enough for us to do our bit and not contaminate the water!

• Water shoes - these were great for wet landings (jumping out of the zodiac into the water rather than stepping off on land) and also for swimming in rocky areas.

• A good camera - a higher value item on this list but honestly an essential. Phones are great nowadays so make sure you clean the lens before taking photos and learn the settings to capture the best content. If you’re willing to take that extra step (and spend a bit more money) purchasing a DSLR camera will elevate your photos significantly. I’m so glad I borrowed a camera to take with me as it captured my experiences far better than my phone (especially photos of wildlife) and I’ll have those photos to look back on forever.

• Seasickness tablets - I get a little queasy when there’s a swell and although it wasn’t terrible, day one was enough to make me need sickness tablets straight away. They’re well worth having even if you don’t think you’ll need them, just as a backup—although rest assured if you forget, they often have them on board.

• Two sets of swimwear - most days on the cruise we did two snorkelling or swimming excursions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Having two sets of swimwear meant I could wear a dry set for the afternoon excursion instead of putting back on a cold, soggy swimsuit!

• Small backpack - this is essential for your excursions. Some people took a canvas bag or satchel but a backpack was crucial for getting in and out of the zodiacs safely. Plus, it was easier to carry and could fit my camera, spare lens, water bottle, suncream and sun hat (mine is a 10L backpack).

• Sturdy hiking shoes or boots - the terrain on many of the hiking excursions was uneven and at times slippery (when it rained or on the rocks by the sea) so hiking shoes or boots with good grip are essential. I prefer a lighter pair of Merrell walking shoes but if you feel like you need the extra ankle support, it's worth taking boots. Note: the expedition guides didn't allow walking sandals for some of the hikes - unless they had a closed toe.

Things I wish I had packed

• Buff - just to keep the sun off my neck during kayaking excursions.

• More long sleeved tops or shirts - I only brought one linen shirt and one fleece with me and it was quite chilly in the evenings. If I was to visit the Galapagos again I would pack an extra fleece or nice cardigan for the evenings and a couple of long sleeved linen or cotton t-shirts.

• An extra pair of trousers - I took one pair of walking trousers and two pairs of thin, floaty trousers for evening wear. However, having now been, I would take a pair of jeans or smart trousers for the evening that are a bit thicker than floaty linen trousers and therefore warmer in the evenings.

• A nice dress or two - I know this one sounds contradictory to the typical casual dress code for an expedition cruise, but I would’ve liked to wear a nice dress for the Captain’s Cocktail party on the top deck (with a cardigan to keep warm!) and maybe a spare for the lovely meal we had in Quito post-cruise. I generally don’t mind dressing in casual attire and re-wearing outfits but in a warm climate where everything ended up a bit salty and sandy it would’ve been nice to have a couple of fresh outfits.

Things I took which I didn’t use

• Too many pairs of shorts - with hindsight, I only really needed two pairs of shorts. One comfortable to hike in and one casual pair for day to day use.

• Handbag - I only used this to travel to and from the Galapagos to hold my kindle, phone, purse and passport. During the evenings on board I just had my phone in a pocket or left it in my room.

On the whole, what I took was ideal for my 9 day trip to the Galapagos islands (7 nights on the cruise and 2 nights in Quito) but hopefully this can serve as a helpful guide for others embarking on an adventure who might be unsure where to start. It goes without saying, this destination is on the equator so you will need adequate sun protection at all times!

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