GALAPAGOS WEATHER

Beyond doubt, the weather is the most popular topic of conversation. And for good reason. As Mark Twain noted, there is always something going on, and the weather in the Galapagos is no exception. On the equator, it's mostly quite warm, but the cool Humboldt current coming up the coast of South America exerts a significant influence on the local climate. The weather is seasonal. It's warm and wet from November to March — this is the El Niño season. Bad El Niño years can severely affect fish populations, and hence seabird reproduction. In normal years, from April to October temperatures are cool (for equatorial latitudes) and rain is rare.

Oceanic weather ranges from glassy calm seas to raging storms. Gales are not uncommon, but hurricanes or tornadoes do not occur. Mostly, the waves are whipped up and white caps might form, and cumulus clouds will race across the sky. August to October, the seas tend to be rather rough, but not unbearable. Inland, weather on the coast tends to be warm and dry. In contrast, highlands are wetter and during July to December, a light mist — the garua — persists for day after day.

For detailed information on the Galapagos climate, check out the climate chart.