Galapagos Wetsuit Guide – Style, Rental Costs, Inclusion vs Exclusion
If you are going to the Galapagos islands for a cruise or land-based tour, prepare yourself for plenty of snorkeling. You are going to be cozied up with sea turtles, marine iguanas, fur seals and sea lions, sharks, and hundreds of species of fish. Some of the most common questions we get asked are “will I need a wetsuit in the Galapagos?”, “are wetsuits provided on Galapagos cruises?”, “what style of wetsuits are provided on Galapagos cruises”, and “how much do wetsuits cost on Galapagos cruises ?” Read on to get all your Galapagos wetsuit answers.
Will I need a wetsuit in the Galapagos?
This depends on the date of your Galapagos vacation. Between June to December, the water temperature can fluctuate between 65 – 75°F, with an average between 70-74. There is a general consensus that at ocean temperatures of 72 degrees, most people consider this warm, but a minority will find it too cool for their liking. In my own personal experience, I went to the Galapagos in August, and I was extremely happy to be in a full wetsuit. The water was undeniably cold, and I could not imagine my mother, who is extremely sensitive to cold, in those Galapagos waters without a wetsuit. Now, from January to May, ocean temperatures are perfect, falling between 73°F – 78°F (22°C – 25°C). This is very pleasant, and even those most sensitive to cold are typically happy without a wetsuit.
What kind of wetsuits are provided on Galapagos cruises?
The majority of Galapagos cruises offer wetsuits of 3mm thickness unless you have a scuba-diving trip planned in which wetsuits are 7mm. The wetsuit style varies from cruise to cruise. Some Galapagos cruises offer shorty wetsuits, some offer full wetsuits, and some have a combination of both. Regardless of the season, a 3mm shorty wetsuit provides sufficient warmth for snorkeling activities, which typically last between 30 – 45 minutes. If you are still concerned, reach out to us about the specific cruise of interest and we will be happy to find out the wetsuit style for you. Most importantly, there are more than enough wetsuits in every size to guarantee the perfect match for every passenger. Getting the right fit might take a little trial and error. Don’t fret, you have plenty of time to experiment!
There are plenty of wetsuits for every passenger on cruises
Are wetsuits free on Galapagos cruises?
Full wetsuit on the Elite Cruise
Some cruises provide wetsuits free of charge, while others have a cost between $5.00-10.00 per day per person. If you choose not to use a wetsuit on one day, you do not have to pay for it.
Check the specific cruise page for details, as some offer small discounts for multi-day rentals. Below is a list of every Galapagos vessel and its wetsuit status.
Note, cruises may change policy on pricing, but the amount will not change significantly.
If you don’t mind the extra space of a wetsuit in your luggage, you can buy one online and bring it with you. This may be appealing to those going on an extended cruise without wetsuit inclusions.
Galapagos cruises – wetsuits are included free of charge
Luxury class
- Alya
- Camila
- Cormorant
- Elite
- Endemic
- Grace
- Grand Majestic
- Infinity
- Integrity
- Natural Paradise
- Ocean Spray
- Origin and theory
- Passion
- Petrel
First-class – Galapagos wetsuits
- Monserrat
- Beagle
- Letty
- Beluga
- Calipso
- Cachalote explorer
- Grand Queen Beatriz
- Queen of Galapagos
Superior
- Xavier
- Samba
- Eden
- Estrella del mar
- Yolita 2
Galapagos cruises – wetsuits not included, rentals available
Luxury
- Sea Star Journey- 35.00 total per trip
- Coral – $5.00 per day
First-class
- Mary Anne – $3.15 per day
- Tip Top 2, 3, and 5 – $4.5.00 – $8.00 per day
- Anahi – $5.00 per day
- Millennium – $5.00 per day
- Nemo 3 – $5.00 per day
- Odyssey – $6.00 per day
- Solaris – $7.00 per day
- Treasure of Galapagos- $7.00 per day
- Galaxy – $10.00 per day
- Eco-galaxy – $10.00 per day
- Seaman Journey – $10.00 per day
Superior
- Fragata – $4.00 -5.00 per day)
- Nemo 1 – $5.00 per day
- Nemo 2 – $5.00 per day
- Angelito – $5.00 per day
- Daphne – $5.00 per day
- Reina Silvia – $6.50. per day
- Aqua – $8.00 per day
- Archipel 1 – $8.00 per day
- Archipel 2 – $8.00 per day
- Bonita – $10.00 per day
- Aida Maria -$10.00 per day
Basic
- Darwin – $5.00 per day
- Golondrina – $5.00 per day
What about Galapagos Snorkel equipment?
99% of cruises in the Galapagos provide snorkeling equipment free of charge. For men with facial hair, we recommend reading this guide on snorkeling with beards, or simply shaving the moustache. Facial hair has the tendency to disrupt the tight seal that keeps water out, meaning water will slowly seep into the mask. I hope this Galapagos wetsuit guide provided all the answers for your upcoming trip. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to one of our travel experts!
