Galapagos Islands

best & worst times

how to avoid the mistake of going at the wrong time

The Galapagos Islands

wet season is better

than its dry one

For most travel destinations, the dry season is preferable to the wet one. In the Galapagos Islands, the opposite is true. Consider:

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

The rains during the Galapagos Islands wet season (January to May) tend to be short lived and pass quickly, leaving behind gorgeous blue skies.

Moreover, it rains less during the Galapagos Islands wet period than it does in most tourist locales. 

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).

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 a bit (not good if you're prone to see sickness). And, sea surges could add a level of difficulty to your shore excursion landings.

The best all

around time for

a vacation

If there is one superior period to visit, it would probably be mid-April to mid-May. The skies are usually clear. The air and sea are relatively warm. The water is calm. Vegetation is green. Colorful wild flowers are abloom. And, it's not yet high season when boat, ship, tour, cruise, hotel, and air costs peak.

When is

the high season?

Should I avoid it?

The are two high tourist periods: June to mid September and mid December to mid January. (There's also a tourist crush during the Easter holiday period.)
Remarkably, the two high periods fall mainly in the dry season when you could encounter gray skies, restless seas, and slightly chilly temperatures.
And, during those periods, many cruise boats are fully booked a half year or more in advance. Even if you manage to secure a booking on short notice, you may have to settle for a boat or itinerary that doesn't dovetail with your preferences. 
On the other hand, If you can only go during the high season, definitely do it. Its better to experience the Galapagos Islands than never at all.

Other

Galapagos Islands

mistakes to avoid

Click these buttons to learn from the errors made by thousands of travelers before you

I hope your Galapagos Islands travel dreams come true - and that this travel page

on avoiding traveler mistakes helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications