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FAQS: Galapagos Weather & Other Facts

What to Pack for your Galapagos Adventure

Life aboard all of the Galapagos vessels consists of an infomal atmosphere. Dress is casual - shorts, tee shirts, swim suits, jeans/slacks and a windbreaker or sweater. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, ample protection from the Equatorial sun (including a hat). It is highly recommended that you bring a lightweight backpack to carry your camera, excess film and a towel (for drying off after wet landings). Do not over pack. There are weight restrictions on the flights (30 pounds per passenger) and you need only a minimum of casual clothing. Your excess luggage may be left at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil in storage, in the event you will be returning to me of the two cities.

Galapagos weather

Galapagos Islands Information

Climate

The Galapagos Archipelago is located on the Equator and its climate is sub-tropical, allowing cruises to operate on a year round basis. Temperatures are determined almost entirely by the ocean currents that are influenced by the trade winds. Generally, December to May is warm and sunny; June to November is cool and breezy. Most birds nest year round, so you can see courtship, mating, chickshatching and rearing almost any time of the year. Anytime is a good time to visit the enchanting Galapagos Islands!

Galapagos passport

Language

English and Spanish are spoken aboard the vessels by guides and officers.

Time Zone

GMT-6 in the islands and GMT-5 on the mainland. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the monetary unit of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Islands Average Temperatures (in Fahrenheit)
Temperatures JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Max. Air Temp 84 86 88 86 82 78 76 74 76 77 78 80
Min. Air Temp 70 74 74 72 72 68 66 64 62 64 66 68
Avg. Sea Temp 74 76 76 76 74 74 72 66 68 70 72 74
Avg Rainfall (in.) 1 1 2 1.5 .75 .25 .5 .25 .5 .25 .5 .5

Suggested Items to Pack

* Khaki pants and shorts

* Cotton shirts and Regular T-shirts

* Windbreaker or sweater

* Good pair of walking shoes (tennis shoes will do)

* Rubber-soled shoes or thongs (Tevas are also very popular)

* Small backpack

* Camera with lots of extra film or memory cards

* Bathing suits

* Sunscreen (plenty of this)

* Snorkeling equipment or you may rent this on board many of the vessels

* Hat to cover from sun

* Underwater camera

* Sunglasses/strap

* Sea sickness medications. It is also a good idea to see your personal M.D. prior to your trip.

* Wet suit

* A good supply of all your prescribed medications

Galapagos charters

Getting There

There are worldwide connecting flights to Quito and Guayaquil, on the Ecuadorian mainland. Specially arranged commercial flights (contracted by the cruise operators) from the Ecuadorian mainland serve the Archipelago's two airports.The airlines are TAME and AeroGal. Passengers fly from the mainland on the morning of the departure date of the cruise. The cruises on the "Legend" and the "Corals" sail from Baltra. The flights to and from Baltra in the Galapagos, are automatically confirmed when the cruise arrangements are booked and confirmed. All passengers must arrive on the mainland at least one day prior to the departure date of the cruise.

Please call us at 1-855-613-9292 for more flight information.

Galapagos temperature

Suggested Reading

Field Guides

* Darwin's Islands, A Natural History of the Galapagos, by Ian Thornton

* Galapagos, A Natural History Guide, by M.H. Jackson

* A Field Guide to the Fishes of Galapagos, by Godfrey Merlen

* Plants of the Galapagos Islands, by Eileen K. Schfield

* A Field Guide to the Birds of Galapagos, by Michael Harris

Highly Recommended

* Galapagos, Islands Lost In Time, by Tui de Roy

* Galapagos, Discovery on Darwin's Islands, by Steadman and Zousmer

* Galapagos, a Terrestrial and Marine Phenomenon, by Paul Human

* Key Environments, Galapagos, by R. Perry

* The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin

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