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Even though the Galápagos archipelago nestles the equatorial line, its climate is atypically tropical, influenced almost entirely by the seasonal dominance of surrounding ocean currents. Although air and water temperatures fluctuate, cruise tours can operate on a year-round basis.
From January to June, the Galápagos experiences its warm/wet season. During these months, southeast trade winds, which drive the cool (Humboldt) currents, lose their strength and allow warmer (El Niño) waters from the north to flow through the Galápagos. Generally, the weather is hot and sunny, with occasional—but heavy—downpours. Although high temperatures are fairly moderate during this season, the actual heat produced by the reflection of the sunlight by some islands' black, bare lava surfaces can feel uncomfortable. Visitors can expect to see the islands uniformly covered in lush green vegetation, to star-gaze in ultra-clear night skylines, and to swim in gentle, comfortably cool ocean waters.
The July to December season is known as the garúa , or cool/dry season, during which time cool winds from the southeast regain force. Weather is cool and breezy, with skies lightly overcast. This time of year the sea is at its roughest; water temperatures are at their lowest; and coastal island landscapes are most barren.
The transition months are highly variable and unpredictable, although they tend to combine certain climatic characteristics of both seasonal extremes. From November to January, air temperature will start to rise while water temperatures remain cool, and from April to June, fresh breezes and cooling water temperatures will offset the heat.
Most birds nest year round, so you can see courtship, mating, chicks hatching and rearing almost any time of the year. However, if you are a novice naturalist hoping to get a glimpse of migratory birds and sea mammals, it is important to coordinate your trip with migration patterns. If you are desperate to see the albatross, for example, you should plan to visit the southern islands between April and December. If you want to see humpback whales, go to the islands between June and September.
Temperatures |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
Max. Air Temp. |
84 |
86 |
88 |
86 |
82 |
78 |
76 |
74 |
76 |
77 |
78 |
80 |
Min. Air Temp. |
70 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
72 |
68 |
66 |
64 |
62 |
64 |
66 |
68 |
Avg. Sea Temp. |
74 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
66 |
68 |
70 |
72 |
74 |
Avg. Rainfall (in.) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.75 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
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