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A visit to this captivating Galapagos archipelago lives up to hopes for a sheltered area removed from the common troubles of modern life. The atmosphere is are commonly full of sunshine, along with the sea winds generate that best air temperature that can quickly relaxes the entire body. The water is an ever-inviting light blue, matched by extended soft sand beaches of crystal white, pink, black and green. There are crystal creeks and sheltered mangrove lagoons, in addition to massive cliffs and caves.
Galapagos Islands Weather and Climate
The Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, around a thousand kilometers west of Ecuador, enjoy a unusual weather conditions, tropical and semi-arid, which has a very hot and relatively rainy season coming from January to May, along with a cool and dry time, but also cloudy and misty, from July to November.
The landscapes of the Galapagos are barren, with the exception of the highlands of the larger islands, which usually get more abundant rainfall. As was observed by Charles Darwin, who as you may know examined the details of the species living in the islands, their climate is much cooler than an individual would be expecting from a location found close to the Equator, as a result of Humboldt Current, which usually reaches the area after circulating in the water west of Latin America. Anyway, here the weather is varied from one year to another, because there are various ocean currents that meet or take turns in the area (additionally there is a hot current coming from Central America, which usually runs at a little length and is more powerful in the years of El Niño), meaning that the weather conditions are hard to foresee.
As said before, in these isles there are two seasons: a warm season from January to May, with maximum temperature ranges about 29/30 °C (84/86 °F), and a fairly cool period from July to November, called Garua, with daytime temperature ranges about 24/25 °C (75/77 °F). In the latter, night-time temperature conditions remain acceptable, around 18/19 °C (64/66 °F), although you will find frequently mists, which result in the condensation of little droplets (named garua from where the season takes its title), and the atmosphere is usually covered by very low clouds (as a result of thermal inversion created by the low-temperature marine current). This period is the very least rainy of the year in coasts and plains (considering that the Garua really doesn’t generate substantial rain accumulations), while away from the sea hills and mountains, there could be some substantial rains. The highest peak is the Vulcan Lobo, 1,707 meters (5,600 feet) high, positioned on Isabela Island.
The warm season, from January to May, is on the other hand the time of rains, but normally the rains usually are not considerable, and in any event they take place in the shape of evening rains, that do not eclipse in excess the sunlight. The rainiest month is March.
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However, tourists flock to the beach locations through the rainy period, simply because, it is the one in which the water is the most warm.
When you should go
Generally speaking, the Galapagos could be visited throughout every season. However, a good time to visit Galapagos, in case you also would like to swim and take sunbathes, runs from February to May, because it is the hottest and sunniest, though there might be several downpours or thunderstorms in the morning.
The low-temperature period, from July to November, is usually suggested to discover nature, mainly because it hardly ever rains on the plains and the climate is pleasurable, even though you have to take under consideration mists, haze and foggy air. From September to November the sea could be a little challenging, and this situation can bother people that have problems with movement sickness, during boat journeys from one island to the next.
What to pack
From December to May (hot season): light outfits, a lightweight sweatshirt for the evening hours, light raincoat or outdoor umbrella for rain showers; sun hat. For hiking in inland hills and the Vulcan Wolf, a bit more comfortable sweatshirt and raincoat, hiking shoes.
From June to November (cold season): light clothing, t-shirt or sweater and lightweight jacket for the evening.
For the reef, gear for surfing, water shoes or plastic soled footwear.
The Galapagos were discovered by chance at 1535 by Father Tomas Berlanga, priest of Panama.
Because of the long distances involved, the only sensible approach to explore the Galapagos is by live-aboard boats, which traveling between islands, mostly at night, and make different stops each day. More than 80 vessels are licensed to operate in the archipelago and also there are countless combinations of stops and routes. Most cruises go ashore twice a day: 10 total days on the ship typically means 20 coast landings, 10-20 snorkels, and many panga rides (pangas are small, open outboard-powered ships) to about 10 different islands.
Exploring on your own is considerably harder. Getting around independently is catchy and all traffic must be accompanied by a licensed naturalist guide at all landing websites. But four islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana and Isabela) have hotels of varying sizes and standards and a few boat operators offer day-trips.
Some cruises leave from Baltra (the pier is a five-minute drive in the air terminal).
GalapagosInformation.com offers a variety of tailor-made live-aboard tours on a lot of unique boats carrying from 4 to 16 passengers.
Wildlife movements vary, and each month has its own highlights. For instance, green turtles start their own egg-laying in January; penguins socialize with swimmers on Bartolome mainly from May until the end of September; humpback whales start to arrive at June; July through to the end of September is the best period for most seabird action; peak pupping for sea lions is approximately August, while their pups play aqua-aerobics with snorkelers in November; and December is the month to get hatching giant tortoise eggs. So, always there is something about to happen.
The hot, humid, slightly rainy season (with occasional tropical showers) is from December to May (March and April are usually hottest and wettest). The seas tend to be calmer and clearer at this time of year (with 60ft-80ft visibility typical) and the water temperature averages 79° F (26°C), so this interval is ideal for snorkeling.
The trendy, drier, windier year (with occasional drizzle or mist) is from June to November. Sea temperatures in this time of year drop to as much as 66F (19C) and visibility often goes to 30ft-50ft, whilst sea swells can make some landings catchy.
How to Get to the Galapagos Islands
Not sure how to get to the archipelago? It is simple. Your first destination is mainland Ecuador. Whether you’re traveling in the USA, Europe or any place else, you should book an international flight to Guayaquil or Ecuador’s capital, Quito. The Galapagos Islands is a world-famous travel destination renowned for being an isolated and pristine archipelago. Their isolation is one of the qualities that make them so unique. You may be wondering just how one arrives at the islands. Charles Darwin moved to the Galapagos Islands on the Beagle, but modern-day explorers arrive by jet. There are no direct international flights to the Galapagos Islands. The only daily flights to the Galapagos Islands leave from the cities of Quito and Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador. International travelers must ensure to arrive to the city in order to begin their Galapagos experience. From both Quito and Guayaquil, there are daily flights connecting Ecuador with cities across the Americas and in Europe. Direct flights in the US cities of Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and New York arrive Daily. From Europe there are direct flights coming from both Paris and Barcelona. Once on southern Ecuador, passengers carry on to one of two airports in the Galapagos Islands. The busiest airport in the Galapagos is on Baltra Island. The second airport is on San Cristobal Island. Flights from Quito and Guayaquil fly daily bringing people to the enchanting islands. From the airports at the Galapagos, passengers move for their cruises or resorts in the port towns of their islands. When booking a cruise in the Galapagos, then it’s highly advised to book your flights together with the cruise. This guarantees an on-time arrival and avoids the risk of missing the cruise death. Our specialist trip advisors can help you organize all the details of your trip to the Galapagos Islands. Get in touch with them now to reserve your flights and cruise from Quito or Guayaquil. The trip from Quito the Galapagos is about 2.5 hours, and it requires a bit less time from Guayaquil. As soon as you get to the mainland, you’re just a few hours away from seeing the blue-footed boobies and tortoises and swimming with sea lions. Come to the Galapagos, and discover a world unlike any other!
Galapagos Facts
The estimated age of the islands is between 3 and 10 million years. The Islands lie on the Nazca tectonic plate and are the plate main land mass. Intense heat caused by the plates being pushed apart leads to eruptions which make new volcanoes and eventually create new islands (‘Hot spot’ notion. There happen to be approximately 13 volcanic eruptions in Galapagos at the last century.
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