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The Galapagos Islands

Location, Geography & Climate

The famous islands are located in Ecuador about 960 kilometers off the mainland. Made famous by Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands are no less enthralling now than they were a hundred years ago. Every year, thousands of curious visitors journey to the remote islands to behold the wondrously variegated wildlife that inspired The Origin of Species.

Relatively young, the Galapagos sprouted out of the Pacific from a sub oceanic lava vent on the ocean floor. In the Galapagos, the vent is gradually creeping east with the Nazca plate, forming more islands as it moves. There are currently sixty named islands, the principals being Fernandina, Isabela, Baltra, James, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

The Galapagos Islands have a sub-tropical climate with two seasons the rainy season and the dry season. Ocean currents are largely responsible for the climate of the islands. Though located on the equator the temperatures are much more mild then one would imagine due to the cold current traveling north from Antarctica. The rainy season begins in November and runs until June. Unlike the name suggests the weather is typically warm and sunny. The water temperatures reach a comfortable 75º F (24º C), and occasional tropical rainstorms can occur. March and April are generally considered the best months for visiting the islands. When the weather is warm, the winds are light, the sea is calm, and the birds are nesting.

After April the weather becomes cooler. July to November marks the dry season. Temperatures become cooler and the skies cloudier although it seldom rains. Water temperatures drop to 70º F (21ºC) or below and the winds can make the water choppy. A sweater or jacket may be necessary on cloudy days and at night. August and September tend to be considered the "worst" months to visit when there is little sun, it can be quite cold, and the water the roughest. November is the best month to visit during the dry season as the crowds are at their lowest and the weather is getting progressively better.

In years with the El Niño Current heavy rain comes from the north from December to March. The warmer temperatures and heavy rains break the food chain and interrupt the breeding cycle. Though this is not a yearly occurrence the increase in water temperatures can have a dramatic influence on the wildlife of the islands.