Diving Conditions and Equipment
Currents: Some dive sites have strong currents, some dive sites do not. (please check dive location notes)
Temperature: The water in Galapagos is between 16 and 24 Centigrade or 60 to 75 Fahrenheit.
Depth: Dives are between 25 and 75 feet deep.
Wet Suite: You will use 5MM or 7MM depending on your tolerance to cold water is. You will not need a dry suit.
Equipment: We provide all equipment as included in our packages except a dive computer, which you can rent for an additional charge. We use Sherwood and Genesis Brand equipment and the equipment is new. We use Aluminum 80 (cubic feet) tanks.
Nitrox: Nitrox is not available at this time but will be soon. Dives are less than 80 feet (27 meters) with a 1 hour surface interval and a maximum of 2 to 3 dives per day depending on the dive site so it is not needed for repetitive dives.
Weather
The warm season, or wet season, generally starts in December and ending in May. The cool, or dry season is from early to mid June until the end of November.
The warm season (Dec.- May) is attractive to divers because the air temperature is warm and there is little wind, which makes the boat rides easier and smoother. Air temperatures range from 85F to 95F while underwater temperatures go from 75F to 80F. Days are normally sunny with some afternoon showers on the larger islands.
During the months of March and April, in the warm season it is possible to dive with the giant manta rays though they can often be seen year round at most dive sites.
The cooler, dry season (June - Nov.) is much cooler. The air temperature is in the mid 70's while the water temperature is in the low 70's sometimes creeping down to the upper 60's. Despite being called the "dry" season, "garua rain," or mist, is experienced throughout the archipelago. The stronger winds make the navigation a little bit rougher than during the warm season because of the choppier seas caused by wind. Neither season have any storms of any sort. The cooler season offers one of the greatest sights underwater...whale sharks...divers endure the rougher and the colder waters with the hopes of getting an opportunity to swim alongside these 40-ft. sharks. Silky sharks, hammerheads and Galapagos sharks are also still around but in less numbers. Currents might pick up a bit more making the diving conditions more challenging.
Galapagos Islands Season and Climate
There are two seasons in Galapagos, but climate is tempered year-around on the equator.
The "warm" season runs from January through April with air temperatures ranging from 65° F-81° F (water temperatures 76° F-83° F). Skies are clear, blue and interspersed with sporadic rains. This season offers the most pleasant weather and calm seas.
It is the best season for cruising. From May through December, the Humboldt current predominates, cooling air temperatures slightly to between 60° F - 72° F (water temperatures 65° F-72° F) and creating comfortable hiking weather.
Although the sea is rarely ever rough, southeast trade winds cause the ocean to be choppier this time of year and a misty "garua" fog may linger part of the day.
Since climate in Galapagos depends so much on shifting ocean currents, local weather varies from year to year.
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