 | Destinations | Galapagos |
A thousand kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands offer a unique ecosystem highlighting an incredible diversity of species. The archipelago is made up of nineteen islands and over forty islets which emerged from the Pacific with volcanic activity six million years ago. The islands were discovered in 1535 by Spanish explorer Tomás de Berlanga. Three hundred years later in 1835, Charles Darwin arrived and was struck by the diverse life he found on the islands. In 1859 Darwin published The Origin of Species and brought to light his research on the theory of evolution and natural selection, bringing worldwide attention on the Galapagos.
Average air temperatures
A sub tropical climate maintains even temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 25°C to 30°C during the day and 19°C to 24°C at night.
Average water temperatures
During the wet season, December through May, warm waters from the Panama Basin flow past the Galapagos Islands producing water temperatures between 20°C and 27°C. Between July and November, cooler waters from the Humboldt current flow to the islands causing the water temperature to drop ranging from 18°C to 24°C.
Best time to visit
There is very little weather variations in the sub tropical location, making it accessible year round. The best time to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is during the dry season between June and November. During this dry season the islands have cloud cover, with low rainfall and temperatures hot but comfortable. During the wet season from December to May, the temperature drops and there are short daily showers, but it is ironically the sunniest time of year making it the high season for visitors to the islands.
Not to miss while you are in the Galapagos Islands
Gardner Bay on Espanola Island… offers a wonderful white sandy beach that is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos and is also a nesting site for sea turtles. You can wander among beached sea lions and then enjoy a deep-water snorkel revealing all kinds of interesting marine creatures.
Punta Suarez on Hood Island… is one of the most unique and attractive sites in the Galapagos. Due to its isolation from other islands, it has very a high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps from the shore marine iguanas bask in the sun and further inland blue-footed boobies nest along on the trail and Galapagos doves roost oblivious of visitors. The trail continues towards a blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. The cracks in the cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropical birds.
Available in Galapagos