Galapagos Weather in December
Is December a Good Time to Visit Galapagos?
One of the most common questions we get asked is: when is the best month to travel to the Galapagos? Is our vacation to the Galapagos in December a good idea, or should we go in November or January? Is it too hot/cold/rainy at the Galapagos in December? Are the December Galapagos seas warm enough for swimming? Our answer is always the same – December is a great month at the Galapagos, and so too are all the other months! The Galapagos Islands are an all-year-round travel destination, with comfortable weather and great wildlife viewing every month of the year. So yes, December is as good a month as any to visit the Galapagos.
Read on to learn about Galapagos Islands Weather in DECEMBER entails – everything you need to know, from weather to wildlife.
What to Expect at Galapagos in December?
December Galapagos Weather Season:
December in Galapagos is a TRANSITION month, changing from the COOL & DRY climate season, into the WARM & WET. Visitors should expect changeable and variable weather conditions through the month, starting off cooler, and ending with a strong tropical sun over Christmas and New Year. Sun protection is important even if skies are cloudy - on the equator, it is easy to burn your skin if proper care is not taken.
December Galapagos Wildlife Season:
At the end of the Galapagos Islands COOL & DRY months, December still sees cooler seas, rich in nutrients, perfect for marine species like Sealions, Sea Turtles, and species of Seabirds, who find food plentiful.
The first Galapagos rain showers of the WARM & WET season may come in late December, a ray of hope that will bring the greenery back into life on the highlands, so land Galapagos species are easily spotted in December, even though their food sources are still scarce. Land birds in particular are happy with the arrival of the first rains, a sign for them to start nest building ready for their breeding seasons.
December Galapagos Tourist Season:
December at Galapagos sees HIGH demand for cruises, especially over the Christmas & New Year period - during this time cruise spaces are often sold out many months beforehand. We therefore strongly recommend booking well in advance and considering that cruise prices may increase for this very popular travel date. December is also a good time for a Galapagos Land Tour, but again try to book in advance to avoid the disappointment of missing out on hotel or day tour spaces.
Galapagos Islands Weather in December
December at Galapagos is the end of the cool and dry Galapagos season - the skies are still cloudy but the sun will soon be back. Average temperatures in December hit 26 degrees Celsius, with just 0.5 inches of rainfall across the month. Even on a cloudy day, the sun behind the clouds at the equator is extremely strong so don't forget to use sunscreen and a hat to avoid burning.
Galapagos Temperature in December
Average Galapagos Rainfall in December
Galapagos Water Temperature in December
December Galapagos water temperatures average 22.5 degrees Celsius, but tend to be higher in the latter week as seasons change. A wetsuit is recommended for snorkelers, and marine species are still very active throughout the month.
Wildlife at the Galapagos in December
Is December in Galapagos a good month for wildlife? Remember, every month at the Galapagos Islands (including December) is amazing for wildlife spotting, and almost all land and marine species can in fact be found all year round.
That said, each month does bring something different to the archipelago. Subtle changes in Galapagos animal behavior such as breeding, nesting, hatching, feeding, growing, and migrating. The Galapagos natural world is in constant change. December is a Galapagos transition month, so both land and marine species are active.
We wave goodbye to the Albatross colony on Espanola Island. Like clockwork, every December they head out to the open ocean in search of better feeding grounds for the coming months. This is the first time their fledglings leave the nesting grounds - an emotional moment - they won't return again until mature enough to mate. Any Galapagos Albatross that has not left the nest by the end of December will likely be stranded here as the winds die down making cliff-top take-offs impossible.
Bird watchers should head to the highlands of Santa Cruz or other islands. With the arrival of the first rains, we see increased activity from the Galapagos land birds like Darwin's Finches, Short-eared Owls, and Flycatchers, all preparing nests for their breeding season. This activity continues into January as rain showers become a more common occurrence.
Whilst all this is happening, other Galapagos species are beginning their mating season. Green sea turtles couple up, and Marine Iguanas change color to attract a mate and dig nests. This is particularly special on Espanola island where Marine Iguanas change their skin into green and red combinations, earning them the nickname of Christmas Iguanas.
Check out the infographic below for some of the special wildlife highlights to expect at Galapagos in December.
We really hope that this December in Galapagos blog was useful for vacation planning. If you are looking for a complete summary of the Galapagos climate across the year, then also check out our general Galapagos Weather blog.
If you need any help planning your Galapagos Vacation (in December or any other month!), then just drop us a line.
Happy Gringo has over 18 years of experience as the trusted choice in Galapagos travel and has received special recognition from TripAdvisor for 8 consecutive years. We specialize in Galapagos Cruises, Diving Tours, and Custom-Made Galapagos Land Trips. We’d love to hear from you.
In conclusion, December in Galapagos is a transition month making it an attractive time to travel. The weather is mostly still dry and cool - perfect for active excursions. Wildlife is interesting too, especially if you visit Española island to watch the waved albatross colony depart. If you do plan to travel in December, especially over Christmas or New Year's, then the best advice is to plan well in advance - these dates are often completely booked out up to 6 months ahead!
