Galapagos cruise - Best time to go - by authority Howard Hillman

Galapagos cruise
best time to go

Cruise tips you can trust

The "bad"
Galapagos season

The Galapagos has none. Really. The climate is suitable for year-round visits. And wildlife viewing is always stimulating. Of course, each season has its advantages.

Just two
climate seasons

Because the Galapagos Islands straddle the equator, the region does not have four seasons. It has two:

Wet season: January to March
Dry season: April to December

Myth:
The Galapagos Islands
dry season is better
than its wet one

For most travel destinations on our planet, the dry season is preferable to the wet one. In the Galapagos Islands, the opposite is true.

Consider:

Galapagos sky

The skies are more often gray than blue during the driest time of the year (June to December). This is especially true during August and September when persistent overcast and thin cloud layers filter the sunlight.

Rain

The rains during the Galapagos wet season (January to May) are short-lived and occur mainly in the afternoon. They pass quickly, leaving behind gorgeous blue skies and fostering green hillsides. Moreover, it rains less during the Galapagos Islands wet season than it does at most of the world's major tourist destinations.

Temperature

Air and sea temperatures are warmest in the wet season. During the dry time of the year, the temperatures in the Galapagos Islands can become a tad chilly (though it's not unpleasant if you're suitably dressed).

Galapagos sea condition

The sea is calmest in the wet season. During the dry period (and especially in August and September), the sea can become choppy. This could make your cruise boat pitch and roll more than usual (not good if you're prone to sea sickness). And, sea surges could add a level of difficulty to your shore excursion landings.

Click for other categories

Best time to go - PAGE TWO