Climate in the Galapagos Islands

Of the many fascinating things about the Galapagos Islands, perhaps the most interesting fact is that though these islands sit just near the equator, they have an amazing subtropical climate. This makes the weather here near perfect throughout the year. A main reason for this is, since the Galapagos is not close to any land mass or continent, the weather on the islands is determined by ocean currents, thus keeping the climate mild and pleasant the whole year through.

The Galapagos is dominated by the Humboldt Current, which carries cold water from the Antarctic region up north and keeps the water around the islands cool and the climate pleasant, similar to the weather in California. The humidity here remains low, with warm days and lovely cool nights.

There are just two seasons on the Galapagos Islands; a dry season that lasts from June to December, and a rainy season that lasts from January to June. However, it is worth mentioning that the rainy season here is actually not all that bad, as showers are mostly intermittent, with only an occasional thunderstorm here and there. The best time to visit the islands is in March and April, as the weather is ideal with a light cool breeze and the sea is gentle and calm. During these months many beautiful birds also nest here, offering nature and birding enthusiasts, plenty of bird watching opportunities.

If you happen to visit the Galapagos between July and September be prepared for cloudy windy days with little sunshine. Many people consider these months the ‘worst’ time to visit, as the waters around the islands become choppy and rough, and one often needs to wear some sort of a light sweater, particularly if you are out at sea or at higher altitude places. Additionally, during the month of September the underwater visibility is very low to enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving. This season is often referred to as ‘garua’, as a thin mist forms around the islands.

An important fact about the climate of the Galapagos is that every seven years or so, the islands are affected by the weather phenomenon known as ‘El Niño’. During this period the water temperature rises and the islands get more rainfall, making the vegetation on land lush and green. However, the marine life is often adversely affected by the water temperature change and many of the migratory fish and sea life tend to stay away from here. The worst El Niño the Galapagos felt was in 1982-83.

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