There are many guides offering advice on the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands, yet most are penned by “Galapagos experts” who, though knowledgeable, have not experienced the islands’ rhythms year-round. This had led to a plethora of conflicting advice on the web.
Compiled by the team at Galapagos Safari Camp (led by our founders who lived at the camp for 8 years) our guide on when to go to the Galapagos Islands brings you a wealth of firsthand knowledge.
Our aim is to help you make an informed decision, to manage expectations, and to ensure your Galapagos experience is not only memorable but also tailored to your own needs and preferences.
The good news is that Galapagos Islands are great to visit any time of the year.
Although located on the equator, the islands do not have excessively high temperatures. Furthermore, wildlife in the Galapagos is abundant and fascinating no matter when you visit, making the islands a perfect all-year round destination.
There are two defined seasons in the Galapagos: the Warm and Wet Season (December/January to June/July) and the Cool and Dry Season (June/July to December/January).
The seasons are largely determined by the trade winds, which impact ocean currents, which affect the weather and wildlife.
From January (or sometimes earlier, from December), the southern trade winds ease and the Panama Current becomes the dominant ocean current, bringing warm waters from the northeast to the Galapagos Islands.
The Warm and Wet Season brings longer periods of blue skies and sunshine (about 4-7 hours of clear skies per day). To confuse matters, this season is also known as the ‘rainy season’. Although rain showers are expected daily, they are usually short and sweet.
This is the hottest season with air temperatures in the 70s and 80s (°F) and 20s (°C), making it a popular season with sun-seekers, especially those in the northern hemisphere craving winter sun. The ocean is also at its warmest during this season, at around 74 – 76°F / 23 – 24°C.
Families with younger children (or those sensitive to the cold) may find these warmer sea temperatures favorable, especially if their Safari includes a lot of water-based activities such as snorkeling and surfing. (Note: Galapagos Safari Camp provides wetsuits for all ages).
Humidity levels are generally higher during this season, particularly along the coast and lower areas of the islands.
Wind speeds are light, ranging from force 1 (light air) to force 4 (moderate breeze). As a result, the sea is clearer making it very pleasant for snorkelers and divers with good underwater visibility (usually 15-30 meters). However marine life tends to be more abundant in the cooler season (see below).
The calmer seas also allow for relatively smooth boat trips to uninhabited islands – perhaps a factor to consider if you are prone to seasickness.
The warmer weather kick-starts the breeding and nesting season for many species such as marine iguanas, sea turtles, giant tortoises and sea lions.
Vegetation is green and lush, particularly in the highlands where Galapagos Safari Camp is based, with many flowers blooming in March and April.
In the highlands of Santa Cruz, where Galapagos Safari Camp is based, we are fortunate to benefit from slightly cooler temperatures than down on the coast. This affords pleasant evening temperatures, with sundowners at the Viewpoint and outdoor dining on the verandah.
For more details on what to expect in the way of weather and wildlife at camp, please refer to our month-by-month blog series, which we link to at the bottom of this page.
During the cool and dry season, the southern trade winds push the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current up the coast of South America from Antarctica, before turning west at the equator towards the Galapagos Islands.
Running in the opposite direction of the Humboldt (west to east along the equator), the Cromwell Current (also known as the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent,) is a much deeper current that carries nutrients from decaying matter on the ocean floor. When it reaches the archipelago, the cold, nutrient-rich water is deflected to the surface, an oceanographic process known as upwelling.
These nutrients sustain the phytoplankton on the ocean’s surface, and the increase in plankton growth attracts an abundance of fish and seabirds, making the waters especially exciting for snorkelers and scuba divers.
The islands in the south, such as Isla Floreana and Isla Española, are the most affected by the cold waters of the Humboldt Current. The islands to the west such as Fernandina and Isabella are most affected by the Cromwell Current. (Galapagos Safari Camp is located on Santa Cruz Island, in the middle of the archipelago, and is therefore less affected by these currents).
During warmer years when this bottom layer of the food chain is not sustained, the consequences can be dire. For example, during El Niño of 1982 – 1983, the lack of food at the bottom of the food chain led to the death of many sea lions at the top of the chain.
In addition to feeding microscopic plant and animal life, this cold, nutrient-rich water is responsible for creating the fog (or garua) that prevails during this season by cooling the air directly above its surface.
Higher up, at about 1000-2000ft / 300-600m, where the warmer air sits on top of the cooled air, an ‘inversion layer’ forms, containing evaporated moisture from the ocean. This creates a layer of mist which keeps the highlands (and our home) lush and green compared to the lowlands which become very dry and barren during this season.
The cooler ocean currents also bring cooler weather with air temperatures ranging from 67 – 80°F / 19 – 27 °C.
Sea temperatures drop to 68 – 74°F / 20 – 23°C. For context, 70-78°F is the range where most people feel ‘comfortable’ swimming without a wetsuit, although this is a matter of preference. (Galapagos Safari Camp provides wetsuits for all ages, all year round).
Although described as ‘cooler’, it’s worth noting that these water temperatures are more or less the same as those in Cape Town, Africa in January (19°C), the Algarve, Portugal in July (20°C), the Costa del Sol, Spain in August (23°C), Jacksonville, Florida in May (°23C), and Malibu, California in August (19°C).
Wind speeds pick up during the cooler months, ranging from force 4 (moderate breeze) to force 7 (strong, moderate/near gale). The open ocean can be choppy during these months, and those who prone to sea-sickness may prefer a land-based safari to a cruise.
Marine life is at its best during the cooler season and if lucky you may see migrating humpback whales passing through the marine reserve.
It is a great time for scuba-diving in the Galapagos.
