If you've been to the Galapagos or similar... gear?

[v]

Specifically on a cruise -- can you please let me know what gear you needed?

I'm set on the general travel stuff that I would bring to, say, London (most of our trips are to cities) -- but I'm trying to build up my Christmas list with things that I may not have in my repertoire.

Already owned or on the list:
- Drybag for my SLR
- Waterproof point-and-shoot camera 
- Seasickness bands
- Teva sandals
- Hiking shoes
- Packable daypack

Any other suggestions?  (If you think any of these items are unnecessary, btw, that too would be useful to know!)

Thanks!

[orangello]

I have not been to the Galapagos, but just FYI - I find my Tevas totally useless in wet conditions. The foot beds get super slippery. We wore them wet caving in Bonaire, and the guide almost wouldn't let us go. Not sure if you need them for similar conditions, so be forewarned!

[GilliC]

Nov 19, 2014 21:58:16 GMT -5 orangello said:

I have not been to the Galapagos, but just FYI - I find my Tevas totally useless in wet conditions. The foot beds get super slippery. We wore them wet caving in Bonaire, and the guide almost wouldn't let us go. Not sure if you need them for similar conditions, so be forewarned!

I wanted a pair of water shoes after scrambling around a rocky shoreline in Mauritius, and I picked up a pair of Keens at REI because they have a covered toe. They aren't terribly stylish, but they're crazy practical. I feel almost invincible traipsing through the water in them!

[v]

Okay, will research water shoes further These will be for getting off Zodiacs directly into the water. Thanks!

[Norticprincess]

Keens. You want a protected toe.

If you are prone to motion sickness talk to your doc about the patch.

Tilley hat or similar with a string to keep it on. They do have ones for $10 at the airport on Baltra with Boobies, Sea lions, and Tortoises on them that work.

Sun protective button down shirt with long sleeves that is lightweight and you can toss over other clothing.

[ginkgoleaf]

Another vote for keens. They were on sale in the last REI catalog I got.

[spankswife]

DH and I got these (at Costco for $29). They are made by Jeep, and are like all-terrain shoes. We wore them rafting and hiking in NC, and they were great! Totally waterproof, with great grip.

www.amazon.com/J-41-Womens-Argo-Water-Powder/dp/B000SVK4Y8/ref=sr_1_6?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1416579880&sr=1-6&keywords=j41+shoes

[justthetip]

I hate Tevas as well. I lived in Galapagos for a year & wore Chacos every day. An amphibious shoe is really useful there, and those are my favorite. They're grippy enough to not slip, and the Vibram sole doesn't get chewed up on the lava rock. Make sure to get the toe strap (Z2's?). A covered toe really isn't that necessary in my opinion, as long as your shoes aren't too small (toes shouldn't reach the edge of the shoe).

[justthetip]

As far as other gear, your list looks good. Is there a reason your daypack needs to be packable? I'm just curious. A comfortable daypack with padded straps & chest clip may not be packable, but you'll probably use it everywhere you go. I like to have a collapsible water bottle, like a Platypus bottle. It doesn't take up space (or much weight) when empty. A collapsible hat is good, because it will travel well. The sun can be intense, so PPs suggestion of a lightweight long sleeve shirt will help you feel cooler & avoid burning. Your tour company will supply basic snorkeling equipment, but you might want to bring your own mask. A poorly fitting or leaky mask will ruin your day. For clothes, anything quick dry (Dri-fit, workout type stuff) will be more comfortable. You'll be sweaty and/or swimming most of the time, and it breathes better than a damp cotton shirt/shorts. Don't forget to sunscreen your legs and feet, and consider asking your doctor for a prescription for Cipro. It can cover some travelers diarrhea.

[Champagne Supernova]

I just came back from the Galapagos. The boat we were on provided the snorkeling gear (I brought my own stuff though) and wetsuit, along with a mesh bag because every time you head back to the boat, they want you to rinse everything off your stuff.

I highly recommend Keen sandals. I bought the Keen Newport H2 and wore those babies every single day. They are perfect for hiking (traction of the soles is freaking awesome) and for wet landings. It made hiking on boulders and rocks and getting on and off the Zodiacs very easy for me.

Get a bucket hat with a strap. I wore one everyday along with sunscreen and still managed to get sunburned. It gets windy in some of the islands too so a hat with a strap is a must.