Galapagos Weather in July
Is July a Good Time to Visit the Galapagos?
One of the most common questions we get asked is: when is the best month to travel to Galapagos? Is our vacation to the Galapagos in July a good idea, or should we go in June or August? Is it too hot/cold/rainy at Galapagos in July? Are the July Galapagosaseas warm enough for swimming? Our answer is always the same – July 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, July is as good a month as any to visit the Galapagos.
Read on for everything you need to know about Galapagos Weather in JULY – weather temperatures, rainfall, water temperature, and what wildlife highlights to expect.
What to Expect at Galapagos in July?
July Galapagos Weather Season:
July is in the COOL & DRY Galapagos climate season, so expect cloudy skies, cool but pleasant temperatures, and dry weather. This is a pleasant time to visit the Galapagos if you wish to avoid the tropical heat and humidity of the Warm and Wet season. Visitors should still remember to use sun protection (sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses) though, as it is easy to burn even under cloudy skies close to the equator.
July Galapagos Wildlife Season:
In COOL & DRY months like July, the cooler Galapagos seas are rich in nutrients, with plentiful food for marine species like Sealions, Sea Turtles, and species of Seabirds like boobies and albatross. The feeding frenzy also attracts migratory whales and dolphins and is the perfect time for divers to spot huge whale sharks.
The Galapagos highlands are now quite bare. Don’t worry though, the land Galapagos species can still easily be found in July, even though there is less green food available for them.
July Galapagos Tourist Season:
July in Galapagos is a month of very HIGH demand for cruise and Galapagos land tour spaces. Due to school holidays around the world, many families look to travel in July and August. We therefore strongly recommend booking in advance for all types of July Galapagos trips. High demand does not only affect availability but also sometimes prices may be a little higher in the month of July.
Galapagos Islands Weather in July
July at Galapagos is well and truly in the cool and dry season - the skies are often cloudier, and although temperatures have dropped from previous highs, visitors can still enjoy a comfortable average of 26 degrees Celsius. July is a dry Galapagos month, with just 0.5 inches of rainfall in 31 days. 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 July
Rainfall at the Galapagos in July
Galapagos Water Temperature in July
July Galapagos water temperatures have cooled down to 22 degrees Celsius. It may make it chillier to enter the water, but the good news is that cooler seas bring more nutrients for feeding marine species and seabirds, so expect wonderful underwater snorkeling and diving action. Many visitors to the Galapagos in July prefer to rent a wetsuit for snorkeling.
Wildlife at the Galapagos Islands in July?
Is July in Galapagos a good month for wildlife? Remember, every month at the Galapagos Islands (including July) 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.
In July, cute Galapagos waved albatross chicks are hatching. These white and fluffy hatchlings rely on their parents to fish for food during the day which they bring back to the nest and regurgitate. The proud parents continue this process, fattening up their chicks, until December when the whole family heads out to the open ocean for better feeding grounds. Other marine bird chicks are also hatching in July, including Frigate birds and Blue-footed boobies.
Visitors to Fernandina Island are also in for a treat as Flightless Cormorants begin their courtship and nesting. Flirtation begins in the water by intertwining necks and swimming around one another in a tight circle. Then it's time to build a nest together, made of seaweed and other ocean debris. The male will often present gifts (stones, twigs, or washed-up waste) to the female, to make the nest more homely.
Another huge highlight of July is the start of the Galapagos whale-watching season. The best place to look out for these ocean giants is in the Bolivar Channel between Isabela and Fernandina islands, although a little luck is always required.
Diving fanatics should take a liveaboard scuba cruise up to Darwin and Wolf Islands to the northwest of the archipelago. July in Galapagos is one of the best months to spot giant whale sharks. Adults grow to be larger than buses, but they are peaceful creatures, intent to swim slowly with mouths wide open to filter feed on krill and small fish. They will often swim up close to divers, providing an incredible bucket list experience!
Check out the infographic below for some of the special wildlife highlights to expect at Galapagos in July.
We really hope that this July in Galapagos blog was useful for trip 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 July 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, July is a top month to visit the Galapagos islands. The weather is dry and comfortable for trekking. Plus there are some amazing wildlife spotting opportunities - especially nesting and hatching marine bird species, and whale watching. Do remember that the month of July is in the Galapagos Islands high season, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
