Galapagos Weather and Climate The Galapagos Islands are on the equator and the climate does not vary dramatically over the year. The climate of the Islands can best be described as subtropical.
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What biome is Galápagos Islands?
Lying in the Pacific dry belt most of the land in the archipelago is covered by arid, semi-desert xerophytic vegetation. Only a small percentage of the islands reach the higher elevations where more rainfall is concentrated, yielding a more lush, tropical vegetation types.
Why are the Galápagos Islands not tropical?
The weather of the Galápagos Islands is influenced by three main ocean currents and, to a lesser extent, by four other ocean currents.The cold Humboldt and Cromwell currents cool the Galápagos Islands, and keep them from being the tropical islands one would expect to find at the equator.
What is the temperature range in the Galápagos Islands?
The islands are located on the equator and the weather does not change significantly throughout the year, though there are seasonal variations. Galapagos temperature ranges from lows in the 60’s Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) to highs in the 90’s Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).
Are the Galápagos Islands cold or hot?
The Galapagos Islands is always hot. Sometimes it is a comfortable heat, sometimes it can be a sweltering, humid heat. Since the Galapagos Islands are right on the equator (the northern part of Isabela Island lies directly on the equator), you should consider the Galapagos as a tropical destination.
What kind of habitat is the Galapagos Islands?
There are five types of habitat zones in Galapagos: marine, shore, arid, transition and humid. Within these five broad categories, there are a number of different habitats.
What is the geography of the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are formed of lava piles and dotted with shield volcanoes, many of which are periodically active. The striking ruggedness of the arid landscape is accentuated by high volcanic mountains, craters, and cliffs.
What is weather like in Galapagos Islands?
Galapagos Islands Weather
Galapagos is on the Equator but the weather is not tropical. Temperatures range from 69°-84°F / 21°-30°C. Warm season is from January to June. Dry season is from July to December.
Does it snow in Galápagos?
On average, February is the wettest month with 4.33 inch (110.0 mm) of precipitation.On average, September is the driest month with 0.31 inch (8.0 mm) of precipitation.
What is unique about Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are uniquely located on both sides of the equator in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The islands are situated at a point in the Pacific Ocean where three ocean currents collide, creating a unique area in the sea where warm and varying degrees of cold water meet.
What is the weather like in the Galapagos Islands in April?
The weather is almost as warm in April as it is in March. This means that you will enjoy maximum average temperatures of 85F or 29.5C and minimum average temperatures of 73F or 22.8C. The warm weather is even more enjoyable as the average rainfall drops to just 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) during this month.
What is the weather like in the Galapagos Islands in February?
February is one of the rainiest months and is considered the wet season on the Galápagos Islands.Warm temperatures are still at their peak during the month, and you can expect sunny weather with daily temperatures of approximately 80-85 °F.
What is the weather like in the Galapagos Islands in July?
Gorgeously Mild Weather
When it comes to the Islands weather, July is an excellent time to visit the Galapagos. The average air temperatures hover between 68°—79° F (20° —26°C), a mild and comfortable range that’s perfect for hiking, adventuring throughout the Islands, or simply lying out in the sunshine.
Are Galapagos waters cold?
Although the Galapagos Islands straddle the equator, the water temperatures can sometimes be surprisingly cool and, at other times, surprisingly warm.
What is the weather like in the Galápagos Islands in June?
If you prefer to be active when the weather isn’t too hot, head to the Galápagos Islands in June. You can expect daily average temperatures around 70-76 °F with water temperatures around 76 °F—pleasant enough to swim and enjoy the marine life. Since June is part of the dry season, you can expect very little rainfall.
What is the warmest month in the Galapagos?
January through April are the hottest months, with average temperatures getting above 78∘F (26∘C). The tropical Galapagos season reaches its peak in mid-March, after which time the cool water currents and southeast trade winds slowly return the islands to the cool, dry season.
What kinds of plants are endemic to the Galapagos Islands?
Three types of endemic cacti dominate the landscape here; lava, candelabra, and prickly pear, the staple diet of land iguanas and giant tortoises.
Is there Freshwater on the Galapagos Islands?
Although fresh water is not very visible in Galapagos, it is found in several places (underground, crevices, and streambeds) and is indispensable for all forms of life. Historically, Galapagos residents barely survived, having to search for water (rainwater, brackish water, and springs).
Which natural process created the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands were formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity. Discover how tectonic shifts created the islands and how deep below the sea, organisms thrive in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents.
Why does the Galapagos Islands have high biodiversity?
The Galapagos Islands are so biodiverse because of the many different habitat zones that can be found across the Islands. There are coral reefs, highland forests, sand dunes and scrubland, and the changing habitats from island to island. Species diversity is only one piece of the biodiversity puzzle.
What is the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic.
