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The Galapagos Islands
wet season is better
than its dry one

For most travel destinations, the dry 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 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.

Rain
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. 

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

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The ideal 30-day
period in the Galapagos

If there is one superior time 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.

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When is the high season?
Should I avoid it?

The Galapagos has
two high-tourist seasons
They are June to mid September and mid December to mid January. (There's also a tourist crush during the Easter holiday period.)

Irony
The two high periods fall mainly in the dry season when you could encounter gray skies, restless seas, and slightly chilly temperatures.

Booking issues
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. It's better to experience the Galapagos Islands than never at all.

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Climate chart

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MISTAKES TO AVOID

Going at wrong time
Selecting the wrong boat
Other common mistakes

MORE GALAPAGOS PAGES

Interesting tidbits
Galapagos map
Galapagos gold medal

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