Galapagos Weather and Best Time To Visit
This may sound strange but the Galapagos weather doesn't play a major part in determining when the best time to visit the islands is. Being situated in the tropics means that it's all good pretty much the whole year round.
There are only two distinct seasons: the hot and wet season which runs from January to May and the dry season for the rest of the year when the temperatures cool down to an average daily low of about 19ºC (66.2ºF). So you would think that it would be better to avoid the wet season then, right? Wrong...during the wet season it rains less than in most other destinations' dry seasons with rainfall averaging about 75mm (2 inches) per month. The rains tend to be short lived with the sun breaking through again soon afterwards. The sea is also warmer for diving and calmer during the wet season which is a very good thing if you are prone to seasickness. During August and September the sea can become pretty rough which could affect your landings when you go ashore. Due to the Galapagos weather, the water temperature cools down a lot during the dry season so if you do go then it's recomended that you take at least a shortie wetsuit with you. If I have to choose an absolute best time to visit based on the Galapagos weather then it will probably be in April - May. The water is still warm, seas are calm, rainfall is diminishing, everything is green and lush and the high season tourist crush has yet to begin so everything is a little cheaper and there are not so many other people around. Avoid The High Tourist Season If You CanThe high tourist season runs from from June 15 to September 14 and November 1 to April 30. During these times you will need to book everything in advance because of high demand. Prices of flights, accommodation, cruises and restaurants are higher during this time and there are many more tourists around. So avoiding tourist crush time is a good idea if you can, but even if you can't it's still a very worthwhile experience to go, so don't let the high season put you off because the Galapagos weather is still good at that time.For some strange reason (but to your advantage), the low tourist season months coincide with the best times to visit the Galapagos island weather wise so you can get the best of both worlds. Blue, sunny skies coupled with lower prices and less people around so there are more opportunities to schedule non-cruise activities without having to fight for space. The low season officially runs from May 1 to June 14 and from September 15 to October 31.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Daily High ºC (ºF)
|
29
(85) |
29
(85) |
31
(87) |
31
(87) |
27
(81) |
26
(79) |
25
(77) |
24
(76) |
24
(76) |
25
(77) |
26
(78) |
26
(79) |
Daily Low ºC (ºF)
|
22
(71.6) |
24
(76) |
24
(76) |
24
(76) |
22
(71.6) |
21
(69.8) |
20
(68) |
19
(66.2) |
19
(66.2) |
20
(68) |
21
(69.8) |
22
(71.6) |
Sea Temp ºC (ºF)
|
24
(75.2) |
25
(77) |
25
(77) |
25
(77) |
24
(75.2) |
23
(73.4) |
22
(71.6) |
21
(69.8) |
22
(71.6) |
22
(71.6) |
23
(73.4) |
23
(73.4) |
Rainfall mm (inch)
|
68.6
(2.7) |
91.4
(3.6) |
94
(3.7) |
71.1
(2.8) |
33
(1.3) |
22.9
(0.90) |
15.2
(0.60) |
5.1
(0.20) |
5.1
(0.20) |
5.1
(0.20 |
7.6
(0.30) |
30.5
(1.20) |
| 
