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The Galapagos, positioned close to 600 miles west of the continent of South America, is possibly the very best place to witness evolution in all of its natural magnificence.

Called, in Spanish, after the species which is unquestionably the most well-known of the island archipelago: The Galapagos Tortoise; the Galapagos offers a number of groups of little dainty islands all of which are created of below surface volcanoes eruptions.

Situated entirely on the equator, the Galapagos gains all of the bonuses of such a global position because the 16 islands have sunny weather throughout the year! If that wasn’t good enough they are on the crossroads for 2 extremely important trade winds: The North East trade winds (coming from North and the South East winds (from South America). These winds are most likely what started the influx of sustainable life around the island chain – and are believed to have been responsible for the huge forests covering the higher hills of the islands.

These island of extraordinary natural beauty have generated the evolution of numerous diverse, and extremely exceptional, habitats that have in turn made it possible for (or otherwise forced) the regional wildlife, both plants and creatures likewise, to evolve in a manner that in simple terms has numerous researchers astonished.

The rest of the Galapagos archipelago is also a scenario of exceptional, not forgetting fairly gorgeous wildlife.

Climate & Weather

The Galapagos Islands, positioned in the Pacific Ocean, around a thousand kilometers (600 miles) west of Ecuador, have a peculiar climate, warm and semi-arid, that has a hot and comparatively rainy couple of years coming from January to May, and a cool and dry time, as well as foggy and misty, coming from July to November.

The landscapes of the Galapagos are barren, with the exception of the larger islands, which usually obtain more rainfall. As was observed by Charles Darwin, who as we know studied the peculiarities of the species living in the islands, their weather conditions are cooler than one would anticipate from a place based nearby the Equator, because of the Humboldt Current, which usually reaches the location right after flowing in the sea west of South America. Anyway, here the weather is not the same from one year to the other, because there are various water currents that meet or alternate in the area (there’s also a warm current from Central America, which usually flows at a little distance and is more powerful in the periods El Niño), therefore the climate is challenging to predict.

As stated, in these islands there is two seasons: a warm season from January to May, having maximum temperature ranges around 29/30 °C (84/86 °F), and a relatively cool season from July to November, named Garua, with daytime temperatures around 24/25 °C (75/77 °F). In the latter, evening temperatures stay tolerable, approximately 18/19 °C (64/66 °F), although there are frequently mists, which cause the condensation of little droplets (called garua from which the season receives its title), and the sky is typically covered by very low clouds (due to the thermal inversion created by the low-temperature ocean current). This interval is the very least rainy of the entire year in shorelines and flatlands (considering that the Garua does not generate considerable rain accumulations), though away from the coast hills and mountains, there can be quite a few tremendous rains. The top peak is the Vulcan Wolf, 1,707 meters (5,600 feet) high, positioned on Isabela Island.

The warm period, from January to May, is instead the time of rains, although normally the rains usually are not copious, and in any occasion they take place in the form of evening showers, that do not eclipse in excess the sunlight. The rainiest month is March.

On the shorelines, the rainfall amounts to lower than 500 millimeters (20 inches) annually, therefore it is in no way copious. This is actually the common rainfall in Puerto Baquerizo; we are able to notice the reality that within the dry period, few millimeters (a few tenths of an inch) per month accumulate, thanks to mostly to drizzle and dew configuration.

It needs to be said that rainfall is unpredictable, and can become more abundant in the seasons of El Niño. During the more serious El Niño years, for example 1982-83 and 1997-98, the weather of islands turns into entirely tropical, with higher temperature conditions and also plentiful precipitation. In the periods of La Niña, alternatively, the rains are more scarce, and there is a reduction in equally air and water temperatures.

When to go

Typically, the Galapagos could be traveled to throughout the year. However, the optimum time to travel to the islands, if you also desire to swim and sunbathe, runs from February to May, because it is the most warm and sunniest, though there might be a number of rains or severe storms in the mid-day.

The cold period, from July to November, can be encouraged to discover nature, since it very rarely rains on the flatlands and the climate is nice, even when you need to take into consideration mists, haze and gloomy skies. From September to November the water can be a little rough, and this situation could bother those who suffer from movement illness, during boat journeys from one island to the other.

What to pack

From December to May (warm cycle): light outfits, a lightweight sweatshirt for the evening, light raincoat or umbrella for bad weather showers; sun hat. For trekking in the hills and the Vulcan Wolf, a bit warmer sport shirt and raincoat, trekking footwear.

From June to November (cold cycle): light outfits, t-shirt and light coat for the night.

For the reef, equipment for surfing, water shoes or plastic soled footwear.

The Galapagos is a year-round vacation destination, and nature-loving tourists should expect to be surprised by the plant life and animals every calendar month. However, you will find 2 main “periods,” both of which has its own draws and drawbacks.

High season, when families typically force occupancy levels to the max, is considered June until September and December through mid-January. From June through November, the Humboldt Current creates colder, nutrient-rich water and colder temperatures. Regular highs are normally about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind and seas are often a little bit rougher. Skies are often overcast, but rainfall is rare. The changes in water quality attracts fish and sea birds, making this a fantastic occasion to snorkel. Due to the cooler water temperature ranges — occasionally in the low 60s– using a wet suit is a wise move for snorkelers aiming to stay in the ocean for a longer period. This is also the mating season for the blue-footed boobies and waved albatrosses.

December until May, the atmosphere and water temperature ranges are usually much more enjoyable, in the high 80’s, and seas tend to be calmer. Light rain falls for a short period each day, but the spritz is balanced with potent sun rays. Sun-worshippers might be tested in February, when tropical heat scorches the lava. Land vegetation grows, with flowers everywhere. Numerous types of wild birds mate during this time, and sea turtle nesting can also happen.

El Nino, a climate event, can upend weather-related forecasts, delivering a tropical sense to the atmosphere at surprising occasions.

Sierra Negra Volcano: Hiking enthusiasts are certain to love the chance of this steep ascent to the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano. The increase up takes approximately two hours with great vistas all around. Upon reaching the top you can feast your eyes on the world’s third-biggest caldera, surrounded by lush vegetation and home to several types of finch. Horse riding provides a different perspective of the gorgeous location.

Moreno Point and Elizabeth Bay: Heading a bit farther north, Moreno Point offers excellent dinghy excursions, complete with excellent bird-spotting opportunities. As an alternative, you can enjoy scenic hiking through the lava rocks and search for whale-tip sharks from the waters. Climb into a little dinghy to explore the small islets off the coast of Elizabeth Bay, watching unique mangrove forests, celebrating penguins along with blue-footed boobies on the craggy rocks, and getting near sea lions and various fish species using some snorkeling adventures.

Bolivar Channel: Many Isabela island cruises sail through the Bolivar Channel, a channel that divides Isabela Island and the neighboring Fernandina Island. The coldest waters in the Galapagos area, it is normal to see dolphins and whales swimming close to your cruise boat.

Tagus Cove: named after a British ship, sits near the Bolivar Channel. Flex your muscles with a hike, taking from the jagged coastal rocks, volcanic landscapes, dry vegetation, and views of the glistening Darwin Lake. There are plenty of lovely sandy shores also, ideal for relaxing and soaking up some sunshine post increase.

Vicente Roca Point: In the north of Isabela Island, Vicente Roca Point is a top place for boating and snorkeling. The twin coves shield a variety of odd species, including sunfish, seahorses, and puffer fish.

Galapagos Animals

The Galapagos penguin is the sole available from the northern hemisphere and to strain in the tropics.

A Galapagos tortoise can weigh up to 595lb (270kg) using a carapace length of 4ft (1.2m) and outlive most people.

The endemic Galapagos fur sea lions are the smallest among the world’s seven species of such animals

The Galapagos Islands are home to the world’s biggest cormorant and the only one struggling to fly.

Galapagos has among the planet’s rarest ecosystems where the herbivores on top of the food chain are reptiles.

Galapagos Swallow-tailed gulls are the only gulls in the world to feed at night time.

The Galapagos boasts the world’s biggest and only red-footed booby colony.

The Galapagos is one of the very few regions of the planet where turtles are still a frequent sight.

In 30cm in length and using a large pair of jaws that are venomous, the endemic centipede (Scolopendra galapagoensis) is one of the Islands’ most feared animals.

A lichen poll in June 2010 from the Charles Darwin Foundation discovered over 60 new species in the Galapagos with a estimated ten species new to science.

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