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Travel Guide: The Galapagos
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- Travel
Our Expert
CTS Horizons is the UK's number one operator for China and beyond. We offer superb private journeys and tailor-made holidays to the world's most fascinating destinations!
Interested in travelling to Ecuador and maybe enjoying a wonderful cruise through the Galapagos? Then have a look first at our comprehensive guide with useful information about the islands' environment and weather
Due to the confluence of cold water currents from the south and the west, the Galapagos has a non peculiar dry and moderate climate for the tropics and is generally classified as sub-tropical. This makes Galapagos travel a year-round vacation destination. Galapagos weather is characterized by two main seasons:
- The warm, wet season (Late December to June)
- The cool, dry season (Late June to December)
Galapagos weather is considered equatorial, cooled by the Humboldt Current.
Animal Behaviour, Climate Conditions and Highlights Month By Month:
Year Round animal Activity:
- Masked boobies and Red-footed boobies breeding and nesting (year-round).
- Magnificent and Great Frigate birds nesting (year-round on North Seymour Only)
- Flightless Cormorants, Penguins and Greater Flamingoes breeding and nesting (year-round, depending on food supply)
JANUARY
- Best month for snorkeling with penguins
- Great Underwater visibility
- Lots of hours of clear skies
- Warm sunny days
- Water temperatures averages are some of the warmest of all year.
- Climate conditions: Air Temperature (Max / Min): 30/22C, 86/72F, Average Water Temperature: 24.5C / 76F
- Animals: Green Sea turtles nesting. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas are in mating season.
FEBRUARY
- Best Underwater visibility
- Warm sunny days
- Most hours of clear skies of any month rear-round
- Water temperatures averages are some of the warmest all year
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 30 / 24C, 86 / 75F, Average Water Temperature: 25C / 77F
- Animals: Giant tortoises are laying eggs in the wild. Green Sea turtles nesting. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas mating
MARCH
- Best Underwater visibility
- Water temperature is the highest all year (along with April)
- Land Iguanas begin mating (male fighting spectacles)
- Highlands are very green and lush
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 31 / 24C, 88 / 75F, Average Water Temperature: 25C / 77F
- Animals Mating / Breeding: Green Sea turtles nesting. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas mating. Great Frigate birds mating and nesting on Genovesa (Tower) Island. Tortoises laying eggs (in the wild).
APRIL
- Flamingos breeding and nesting (bright colors)
- Highlands are very green and lush
- Some of the clearest skies all year
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 31 / 24C, 88 / 75F, Average Water Temperature: 25C / 77F
- Animals: Green sea turtles nesting. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas mating. Waved albatross begin mating and nesting. Great Frigate birds mating and nesting on Genovesa (Tower) Island. Tortoises laying eggs (in the wild)
MAY
- Cooler season begins (days are not as hot)
- Most pleasant weather all year (along with June)
- Humboldt Current gets stronger (nutrient rich waters attract marine life)
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 28 / 22C, 82 / 72F, Average Water Temperature: 24.5C / 76F
- Animals: Green Sea turtles nesting. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas mating. Waved albatross nesting. Great Frigate birds mating and nesting on Genovesa (Tower) Island. Tortoises laying eggs (in the wild).
JUNE
- Stronger Humboldt Current makes marine life active (great for snorkeling)
- Little rainfall in the highlands
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 26 / 21C, 79 / 70F, Average Water Temperature: 23C / 73F
- Animals: Waved albatross nesting. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas mating.
JULY
- Sea Lions start breeding (sea lion pups everywhere)
- Stronger Humboldt Current makes marine life active (great for snorkeling)
- Whale and dolphin spotting becomes more common
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 26 / 20C, 79 / 68F, Average Water Temperature: 22C / 72F
- Animals: Blue-footed boobies begin nesting. Waved albatross nesting. Start of the sea lion breeding season
AUGUST
- Blue Footed Boobies mating and nesting (dancing rituals)
- Stronger Humboldt Current makes marine life active (great for snorkeling)
- Whale and dolphin spotting is more common throughout the islands
- California Sea Lions begin breeding
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 26 / 19C, 79 / 66F, Average Water Temperature: 21.5C / 71F
- Animals: Red-footed boobies and masked boobies breeding and nesting (year-round). Waved albatross nesting. Magnificent and Great Frigate birds nesting (year-round on North Seymour Only). Fur Sea lions begin breeding. Tortoises (in Santa Cruz Island only) lay eggs in the wild).
SEPTEMBER
- Whale and dolphin watching is at its best (along with Oct)
- Frigate birds start mating (beautiful displays)
- Best Snorkeling all year (along with Oct)
- California Sea Lions in full breeding (lots of sea lion pups)
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 26 / 19C, 79 / 66F, Average Water Temperature: 22C / 72F
- Animals: Blue-footed boobies nesting. Waved albatross nesting. Fur Sea lions breeding.
OCTOBER
- Fur Sea Lions are breeding (lots of fur sea lion pups)
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 26 / 20C, 79 / 68F, Average Water Temperature: 22.5C / 73F
- Animals: Blue-footed boobies nesting. Waved albatross nesting. California sea lions breeding. Tortoises (in Santa Cruz Island only) lay eggs in the wild
NOVEMBER
- Green sea turtles begin mating
- Whale and dolphin watching still great
- Active marine life and great snorkeling
- Climate conditions: Air Temp (Max / Min): 26 / 21C, 79 / 70F, Average Water Temperature: 23C / 73F
- Animals: Blue-footed boobies nesting. Waved albatross nesting. California sea lions breeding. Fur Sea lions breeding.
DECEMBER
- Official start of the warm season (days get warmer)
- Humboldt Current loses strength (waters get warmer)
- More clear skies
- Masked Boobies begin nesting
- Climate conditions: Air Temperature (Max / Min): 27 / 22C 81 / 72F, Average Water Temperature: 22.5C / 73F
- Animals: Blue-footed boobies nesting. Waved albatross nesting. Green sea turtles begin mating. Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas begin mating. California sea lions breeding. Fur Sea lions breeding
Don't hesitate to contact us to know more about travelling to Ecuador and the Galapagos or check our latest itinerary: Galapagos Highlights' Cruise
More to come! Stay Tuned!
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