Galapagos weather, temperature and climate is an important consideration when planning travel to the Galapagos Islands. Here our experts outline the broad strokes of Galapagos climate including temperature tables and weather tables designed for travelers.
This page supports our detailed post on the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands, with a month by month guide to Galapagos average temperatures, water temperature, wildlife and ocean conditions.
IN THIS POST – Galapagos Climate:
Galapagos Climate
Galapagos Weather
Puerto Ayora Weather
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Weather
Puerto Villamil Weather
Galapagos Climate Change & Travel
Galapagos Weather Forecast
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Below our experts outline the climate of the Galapagos Islands, especially as it pertains to travelers. We focus on the most popular regions for Galapagos Island Cruises including Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island and Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.
AdventureSmith Explorations knows Galapagos Islands climate and weather from experience. Read our weather tips for Galapagos travel and scroll down to see climate tables with detailed data on temperature, rainfall and water temperature averages. Let us assist you plan your Galapagos trip with our knowledge on seasonal variations and climate nuances.
GALAPAGOS CLIMATE
Set 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands have a tropical and semi-arid climate that is largely influenced by ocean currents. Temperatures do not vary greatly throughout the year, though there are seasonal variations. Average temperatures range from high 80’s (F) to the mid 60’s (F) with little rainfall and seasonal breezes and fog.
The warm season occurs from December though May and is characterized by hot sunny days, periodic rain showers, warm water and calm seas. The cool season occurs from June through November and is characterized by warm days, no rain, fog and trade winds. Find more detail on Galapagos Islands seasons.
Galapagos Islands Weather by Month
Galapagos Islands Temperature, Rainfall & Water Averages
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High (F) | 84 | 86 | 88 | 86 | 82 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 80 |
| Avg. Low (F) | 70 | 74 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 64 | 66 | 68 |
| Avg. Water Temp (F) | 74 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 72 | 74 |
| Avg. Rain |
2.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
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GALAPAGOS WEATHER
Weather in the Galapagos Islands is attractive to adventure travel and small ship cruising year-round. Conditions can change dramatically over short periods of time going from hot and sunny to rain showers or from windy to calm in a matter of minutes.
Depending on prevailing ocean currents water temperatures can vary as much as 10 degrees (F) on a single day, depending on your location in the archipelago.
Northern Currents
The warm Panama current from the north warms the water and brings sunny days with sporadic rains from December until May. The rain usually arrives in the afternoon, and often clears up by the early evening. The ocean water is more calm during this time making for ideal underwater visibility and optimal snorkeling.
Southern Currents
From June to November, both the cool Humboldt and Peru currents from the south arrive and cooler weather predominates, but rain is uncommon creating comfortable hiking weather. Although seas are rarely rough, tradewinds cause the ocean to be choppier this time of year and a misty fog (garua) may linger into the day.
Galapagos Climate Monthly Highlights
June starts the dry season with relatively cooler temperatures. Giant tortoises migrate from highlands to lowlands for suitable nesting places. In July, blue-footed boobies and cormorants are active and whales can be observed off the western coast of Isabela Island. August brings, masked boobies, swallow tailed gulls and Galapagos hawks nest and court. In September, air temperatures are at their lowest. Penguins, sea lions and marine birds are active, with sea lion births becoming more common. In October, fur seals begin their mating period. Through October and November, the majority of sea lion pups are born (however visitors may see sea lion pups during most of the year).
Detailed Galapagos Weather & Wildlife by Month
Seeking more Galapagos weather information and when to best see the wildlife you’re interested in? Read best time to visit Galapagos. This month-by-month guide has tips on weather, wildlife and the general benefits of each month.
TIMING YOUR GALAPAGOS TRIP
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Galapagos Climate by Island
While the climate of the Galapagos is fairly consistent throughout the archipelago, may travelers seek distinctions between the islands and popular port towns. Below find climate tables with average temperatures, rainfall and water temperatures for common islands and port towns including Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobal Island and Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. Find a detailed description of each Galapagos Islands climate. Climate and weather information is geared towards travelers interested in a trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Puerto Ayora Weather by Month
Puerto Ayora Temperature, Rainfall & Water Averages
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High (F) | 79 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 |
| Avg. Low (F) | 75 | 77 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 73 |
| Avg. Water Temp (F) | 76 | 79 | 80 | 78 | 76 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 |
| Avg. Rain |
1.1 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 |
Puerto Ayora Climate & Weather For Travelers
In Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island, summers are short and hot with periodic refreshing rain showers. Seas are calm. Winters are long and comfortable, dry and breezy. Water temperatures are cooler and can be choppy. Skies are partly cloudy year-round with some fog in winter.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Weather by Month
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Temperature, Rainfall & Water Averages
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High (F) | 78 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 |
| Avg. Low (F) | 76 | 78 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 75 | 73 |
| Avg. Water Temp (F) | 77 | 79 | 80 | 78 | 76 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 |
| Avg. Rain |
1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 108 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 |
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Climate & Weather For Travelers
As the easternmost settlement in the Galapagos archipelago, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobal Island, is the first to feel the effects of the cooling Humbolt Current. As such the cool season can last slightly longer.
In Puerto Baquerizo Moreno summers are hot and muggy with occasional showers. Seas are warm and calm. Winters are dry, warm, foggy and breezy. Ocean temperatures are cooler and breezes can cause choppy seas.
Puerto Villamil Weather by Month
Puerto Villamil Temperature, Rainfall & Water Averages
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High (F) | 80 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 80 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 |
| Avg. Low (F) | 75 | 77 | 78 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 73 |
| Avg. Water Temp (F) | 76 | 78 | 79 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 |
| Avg. Rain |
0.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
Puerto Villamil Climate & Weather For Travelers
Puerto Villamil, on Isabela Island is the westernmost settlement in the Galapagos and most influenced by the equatorial Cromwell current. Bringing rich nutrients from deep in the Pacific Ocean the Cromwell current is the principle reason why the marine environment surrounding the Galapagos Islands is so interesting.
In Puerto Villamil the cool season might be slightly shorter than the rest of the archipelago. Summers are hot and humid with calm seas. Winters are cooler with fog, trade winds and cooler water temperatures.
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GALAPAGOS CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
As ocean temperatures increase due to climate change the weather and climate in the Galapagos is increasingly unpredictable. The delicate balance of life in the Galapagos and the crucible of evolution that occurs there has always been at the mercy of ocean currents. As those systems are increasingly disrupted the islands are subject to even greater evolutionary pressures. Species must adapt or die out. Scientists agree this process is speeding up.
Researched published in 2014 indicates that rising ocean temperatures are making El Nino weather patterns more frequent and more intense. The United Nations educational and cultural agency warns the Galapagos are one of the places most vulnerable to climate change. Dive deeper into the effects of climate change in the Galapagos with this New York Times article.
The typical traveler will not notice the changes described above. The Galapagos Islands, to the casual observer, appears rich, diverse, wild and pristine (because it is). Travelers should be aware of the issues and challenges of the islands and the impact of Galapagos travel. Most Galapagos small ship cruises will tackle this subject head on by educating travelers about climate change in the Galapagos and its effects on the wildlife and ecosystems.
Rather than take a doomsday approach to see it before it’s gone, we hope you will visit and fall in love. Only when you love a place are you motivated to protect it. Changing our behavior to help reduce climate change to protect the Galapagos and its wildlife will do us all some good.
GETTING TO GALAPAGOS
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Checking the Galapagos Islands Weather Forecast Before Your Trip
Some travelers incessantly check the daily weather in Galapagos as their trip approaches. We advise you to resist this temptation, it will only drive you crazy. Forecasts are astoundingly inaccurate and Galapagos Islands weather changes by the hour. Checking daily forecasts does little to help you prepare.
Stick to the broad guidelines above and as previously stated, follow the advice of your packing lists. Checking the Galapagos weather before your trip will only serve to frustrate your preparations and offers little insight into what conditions will be like when you arrive.
If you must, we have provided the current Puerto Ayora, Galapagos weather forecast below.
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