This time of year is my absolute favorite. In the Galapagos, May and June are particularly delightful months. The seasons in Galapagos bring exciting changes: a refreshing breeze, shifting winds, and stunning celestial cloud formations. After enduring the oppressive sun and intense heat and humidity, it feels as if everyone awakens from a sluggish slumber, and that’s when the fun truly begins!
The First Signs of Seasonal Change in the Galapagos Islands
It all began on Isabela Island, at Punta Vicente Roca. My fellow guides told me about the reported number of unreported sunfish sightings. It was just beyond my comprehension. Their stories described dozens of them as jumping out of the sea.
And then, one day, I could see it for myself. What a time! Suddenly, these strange-looking fish began springing out of the water in unison as I was enjoying the early morning light at this time of year while sipping a nice cup of coffee at the bow of our ship. They seemed unusually happy, as though they were welcoming the approach of the colder waters.
The temperature of the surface water plummeted by five °F (around three °C) in just two weeks, which can only imply one thing for this kind of fish: food. There’s nothing more significant to celebrate in the natural world of animals than the unexpected arrival of food. Food is a symbol of possibility, movement, and progeny.
The Colors of the Rainbow
Colors, both above land and underwater, are one of the most beautiful features during the changing seasons in the Galapagos. Myriads of colorful fish will swarm around you when snorkeling. And we won’t deny that the water can be quite “invigorating” when you first jump in (which is why we recommend wearing a wetsuit, which you can rent aboard the Santa Cruz II if need be).
However, after a few seconds of being in the water, you suddenly forget about the water temperature, especially when you start bumping into mindless sea turtles, free-diving through schools of blue-striped snappers, or trying to catch up with penguins. On land, plants let their carotenoid pigments take over, giving the impression that a red, plush carpet is everywhere. Palo Santo trees that have just lost their leaves reveal their grey-white bark as the day draws closer. They resemble kaleidoscopes, reflecting the last of the day’s sunshine, a rainbow of pink, purple, and orange hues.
The Change of Seasons in Galapagos
In the Galapagos, seasons are predictable. Early seamen called them “The Enchanted Islands,” frequently characterizing them as islands that “appear and disappear.” And the inversion layer’s existence is the reason for all of this. Through the Humboldt Current, calmer, evaporating sub-Antarctic waters meet warm, tropical equatorial air to reach the Galapagos Islands. If you begin to notice foggy mornings, it indicates that the shift is imminent.
The southeast trade winds wane from December to May, making way for the arrival of the milder northerly breezes. These bring the heat, humidity, and rain, and as a result, animal activity on land tends to “heat up.” A distinct Galapagos opens out with cooler air, calm waters, and abundant undersea nutrients from May to December. The marine ecosystem thrives. Albatrosses start to fly back to sea, blue whales cruise by, and humpback whales appear with their young in tow.
