Planning a July trip to Galapagos. Are there special needs for this? i.e. malaria pills? I note that a lot of you said sea sickness was a problem. Anything else?

There is no special needs for vacinations to take for the Galapagos.

Yes for some people sick motion sickess is a problem.

If you are prone to sea sickness then take some medication with you.

Percy

Thanks for your reply. My husband thought we would need malaria pills. I am so behind in everything I have done little planning for this trip, but we are on a planned cruise and will have minimal choices to make.

Good

I am sure you will have excellent guides as they wil make your trip.

I would do some research on the islands you are going to visit, it will be nicer that way.

Have a nice trip

Percy

Better to ask about malaria pills that are not needed than go to malaria infested areas and not have the proper prophylaxis.

To help you prepare, get the book
A Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos by Barry Boyce. Each island is detailed along with an overview of the Galapagos' history, weather, and Darwin.

Each day before you leave for the island, you will likely be given a detailed briefing by your guide. If a whiteboard or similar is used, you can take a photo of it and it will help document your journey.

On a big boat, motion sickness is less of a problem, but I'd come prepared. My favorite motion sickness pill is Bonine.

Have fun.

Thanks to both of you for your input. Someone sent us the very book you recommended atravel. One more question--for a wet landing do I really need those "water" sandals? I read one post where they just stepped in bare footed and dried their feet after getting on dry land. I was planning on taking lightweight hiking boots.

Just wear ordinary sandals for your wet landings.

Sometimes I took my sandals off and carried them and then put them back on ,once on the shore.

At other times I just stepped off into the water, by the time I was half way through the guided tour both my feet and sandals were dry !

For wet landing the water could be almost half knee deep or just above your ankle, it is very near the shore when you disembark.

I just went to my Galapagos picture folder and looked at my wet landing.......the water was only ankle deep.

Don't go buying any special shoes or sandle for the wet landing.

Percy

I agree with Percy on the footware.

Hi,

We went to the Galapagos this past February and I wore my Keen Newport sandals (non H2O variety) for all the landings, wet and dry, and for all hiking and they worked out wonderfully.
Two other people in our group had them also and were equally enamored with them.

Some of our wet landings were knee deep and occasionally there were rocks in the water. I personally was glad that I wasn't barefooted.

However, it also is probably a function also of which ship you are on and the landing sites to which you are going. I was on a 20 passenger boat and we went to some landing areas that where the larger boats don't go, so my experience may be different from the others.

Have a great trip!

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I appreciate your input.
Happy travels to all.

Sea sickness should be prime medical concern. You do not want lightweight hiking boots for wet landings. Sandals or Tevas, for sure.