Galápagos weather is gentler than its equatorial location suggests. Air temperatures rarely stray far from the mid-20s °C (mid-70s to mid-80s °F), and the real variable is the ocean: currents swing the water from bathtub-warm to genuinely cold for snorkeling, and they shape the seas, the clouds and the wildlife too.
The year splits into two seasons that blend into each other. Here is what each month usually looks like, and what it means for packing and snorkeling.
Quick Answer
December to May is the warm season: highs around 27–31°C (80–88°F), water about 24–26°C (75–79°F), sunny mornings, short afternoon showers and calmer seas. June to November is the cool garúa season: highs around 24–26°C (75–79°F), water about 19–22°C (66–72°F), overcast skies, little rain at the coast and choppier seas, roughest in August and September.
1. How Galápagos Weather Works
Ocean currents run the show.
The islands sit where several currents meet. In the cool season, the Humboldt Current flows up from the south with cold, nutrient-rich water, and strong southeast trade winds stir the sea. The result is the garúa: a layer of low cloud and fine mist that hangs over the islands, keeps temperatures down, and feeds the green highlands while the coast stays dry.
Around December, the trade winds ease and warmer water from the Panama Current arrives from the north. Skies clear, humidity rises, and convective showers build over the islands most afternoons. That is the warm season.
Two other things matter. First, the Cromwell Current wells up cold water along the western islands, so Fernandina and western Isabela are often several degrees colder than the center of the archipelago, sometimes 16–19°C (61–66°F) in the cool season. Second, El Niño years bring unusually warm water and heavy rain, while La Niña years run cooler and drier. Our warm vs cool season guide covers how this affects trip choice.
2. January and February
Hot, green and increasingly humid.
The warm season is fully under way. Highs reach about 29–30°C (84–86°F), lows sit around 22°C (72°F), and the water climbs from about 24°C (75°F) in January to 25–26°C (77–79°F) in February. Mornings are usually bright; clouds and short, heavy showers often build in the afternoon. The arid lowlands turn briefly green.
Seas are generally calm, though north-facing beaches can get swells around this time. Many snorkelers go without a wetsuit or wear a shorty. Green sea turtles are nesting on the beaches, and land birds are breeding with the rains.
3. March and April
The warmest water and the calmest seas.
March is typically the hottest and wettest month at the coast, with highs around 30–31°C (86–88°F) and the most rainfall, though it still comes in bursts rather than all-day downpours. April begins to dry out while staying hot. Water is at its warmest, about 25–26°C (77–79°F), and visibility is often excellent.
This is the best stretch for anyone who hates cold water or is prone to seasickness. Waved albatrosses return to Española from around late March or April, a highlight of southern itineraries.
4. May
A sweet-spot shoulder month.
May bridges the seasons. Rain tapers off, highs ease to about 28°C (82°F), and the water is still around 24°C (75°F). Trade winds start to return late in the month, but seas are usually still pleasant. Many guides rate May among the best all-round months: warm water, fewer showers, green vegetation and lower demand than peak holiday periods. Blue-footed boobies are often busy courting.
5. June and July
Cool season arrives, and so does the marine life.
The garúa sets in. Expect more overcast days, highs around 25–26°C (77–79°F), evenings cool enough for a fleece on deck, and fine drizzle in the highlands while the coast stays mostly dry. The water drops to about 22–23°C (72–73°F) in June and 21–22°C (70–72°F) in July.
A 3 mm full wetsuit becomes standard for snorkeling. In exchange, the cold, nutrient-rich water feeds an explosion of marine life: penguins, sea lions and fur seals are active, and cetacean sightings pick up. Seas get choppier as July goes on. These are also peak holiday months, so cabins sell out early.
Match your dates to the right ship and route
Tell us your travel month and we will suggest itineraries that suit the sea conditions and the wildlife, and can often find agent-only rates.
6. August and September
Coolest, greyest and roughest, with the richest seas.
These are usually the coldest months. Highs sit around 24°C (75°F), lows around 18°C (64°F), and the water is often 19–21°C (66–70°F), colder in the west. Skies are frequently overcast, though actual rainfall at the coast is minimal.
The trade winds peak, and the seas are generally at their roughest, particularly on long open-water crossings. If you are prone to motion sickness, a larger vessel or a calmer-route itinerary helps; see our Galápagos seasickness guide. Many snorkelers want a 3 mm full suit with a hood or vest, or a 5 mm suit. Wildlife is outstanding, with sea birds nesting and marine life feeding on the upwelling.
7. October and November
Still cool, gradually settling.
October is similar to September but often a touch calmer, with highs around 24–25°C (75–77°F) and water about 20–22°C (68–72°F). By November, the water usually reaches 21–23°C (70–73°F), the winds ease and the sun appears more often. Both months tend to be quieter than the summer and holiday peaks, which can mean better cabin availability. Sea lion pups are often playful in the shallows, which makes for memorable snorkeling.
8. December
The switch back to warm.
December is a transition month. The garúa lifts, highs climb to about 26–27°C (79–80°F), the water warms to around 23–24°C (73–75°F), and the first warm-season showers usually appear late in the month. Seas calm down. Demand peaks over Christmas and New Year, so book well ahead for those dates. A shorty or thin full suit is usually enough.
9. Wetsuit Guide by Month
What most snorkelers wear, and when.
Most cruise ships provide 3 mm wetsuits, free or for a small fee. If you run cold or want a guaranteed fit, bring your own; our best wetsuit for the Galápagos roundup compares options. Snorkels often last 45–60 minutes, which feels much colder than a quick dip.
| Months | Typical water temp | What most people wear |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Apr | 24–26°C (75–79°F) | Rash guard or shorty; full 3 mm if you chill easily |
| May, Dec | 23–24°C (73–75°F) | Shorty or full 3 mm |
| Jun–Jul, Nov | 21–23°C (70–73°F) | Full 3 mm |
| Aug–Oct | 19–22°C (66–72°F), colder in the west | Full 3 mm plus hood or vest, or 5 mm |
Whatever the month, a long-sleeve rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen are worth packing. The full kit is on our Galápagos packing list.
Galápagos Weather by Month: Quick-Reference Table
| Month | Air high / low | Water | Rain (coastal) | Seas | Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°C / 22°C (84 / 72°F) | ~24–25°C (75–77°F) | Afternoon showers | Mostly calm | Optional |
| Feb | 30°C / 22°C (86 / 72°F) | ~25–26°C (77–79°F) | Wetter | Calm | Optional |
| Mar | 30–31°C / 23°C (86–88 / 73°F) | ~25–26°C (77–79°F) | Wettest | Calmest | Optional |
| Apr | 30°C / 22°C (86 / 72°F) | ~25°C (77°F) | Drying out | Calm | Optional |
| May | 28°C / 21°C (82 / 70°F) | ~24°C (75°F) | Light | Calm | Shorty or 3 mm |
| Jun | 26°C / 20°C (79 / 68°F) | ~22–23°C (72–73°F) | Garúa drizzle, mostly highlands | Picking up | 3 mm |
| Jul | 25°C / 19°C (77 / 66°F) | ~21–22°C (70–72°F) | Garúa | Choppy | 3 mm |
| Aug | 24°C / 18°C (75 / 64°F) | ~19–21°C (66–70°F) | Garúa | Roughest | 3 mm + layer or 5 mm |
| Sep | 24°C / 18°C (75 / 64°F) | ~19–21°C (66–70°F) | Garúa | Rough | 3 mm + layer or 5 mm |
| Oct | 24–25°C / 18°C (75–77 / 64°F) | ~20–22°C (68–72°F) | Garúa | Moderate | 3 mm + layer |
| Nov | 25°C / 19°C (77 / 66°F) | ~21–23°C (70–73°F) | Little | Settling | 3 mm |
| Dec | 26–27°C / 20°C (79–80 / 68°F) | ~23–24°C (73–75°F) | Showers start late | Calm | Shorty or 3 mm |
For what each month means for animals, see the Galápagos wildlife calendar; for the overall verdict, read our guide to the best time to visit the Galápagos.
Galápagos Weather FAQ
What is the rainiest month in the Galápagos?
In the coastal lowlands, February and March are usually the wettest months, with short, heavy afternoon showers rather than all-day rain. The highlands get far more moisture, much of it as garúa drizzle in the cool season.
When is the water warmest in the Galápagos?
February to April, when sea temperatures are usually around 25–26°C (77–79°F). The coldest water comes in August and September, often 19–21°C (66–70°F) and cooler still in the western islands.
Do I need a wetsuit to snorkel in the Galápagos?
From about June to November, a 3 mm full wetsuit makes snorkeling far more comfortable, and some people want 5 mm in August and September. From January to April many snorkelers manage with a rash guard or shorty.
When are the seas roughest in the Galápagos?
Seas are generally choppiest from about July to October, with August and September usually the roughest, as southeast trade winds strengthen. The warm season tends to bring calmer crossings.
Is it hot in the Galápagos all year?
No. It is warm all year but not always hot: highs reach around 30°C (86°F) from February to April, then fall to around 24°C (75°F) with cool, overcast days from July to October.
Notes: figures are typical averages for the central islands around Puerto Ayora, checked October 2026; individual years vary, especially during El Niño and La Niña. Temperatures and water ranges are compiled from climate tables published by Adventure Smith Explorations and Weather2Travel and from operator guidance by Galapatours and Quasar Expeditions; the long-term station record is held by the Charles Darwin Research Station.
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