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Galapagos Islands in October
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September 10, 2021If you are thinking of visiting the Galapagos Islands, October might be one of the best times of the year. Everyone has their own different preferences, but there are some definite positives about choosing to spend October in Galapagos. October in Galapagos tends to be a cheaper month to visit than in certain other months, as it is low season. You may get a great deal. This aside, a lot of the wildlife is quite active during October in the Galapagos Islands. The dry days with some misty starts and overcast skies mean that this is an excellent time of year to get some great pictures, and some people prefer the less humid and slightly cooler weather of this month. If you’re thinking about visiting the Galapagos Islands in October, here’s everything you need to know.
Galapagos Weather in October
Galapagos weather in October is slightly warmer than in September but it is still relatively cool compared to the rest of the year. If you prefer cool weather, October is a good month to visit the Galapagos Islands. In October, the Galapagos Islands average maximum temperatures are around 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperatures are around 66 degrees Fahrenheit or 19 degrees Celsius.
The average temperature that you can expect during the month of October is 71 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius. This month is one of the driest of the year, and just 0.25 inches (0.6 centimeters) of rain falls in the highlands during this month. You can expect that you might get some mist if you visit the western islands during this time, and there can be some stunning looking sunrises too. You may want a warmer item of clothing or two, particularly to wear up on deck during day time sailing to visitor sites, as it may feel rather chilly.
In the sea, the temperature you may expect is 73 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius. During this month the Humboldt current which comes up from the Antarctic continues to bring water that is packed with nutrients. This leads to quite a lot of activity around the Galapagos Islands, as fish head for the food and the birds that rely on the fish for their food are also more active.
Galapagos Wildlife in October
In October Galapagos wildlife is pretty active. The sea and beaches may be teeming with sea lions and their pups. The pups love to play with people while they are snorkeling, but do take care of protective sea lion parents. Galapagos fur sea lions continue mating throughout October. Beware of the bigger males of the species as these will be more aggressive and will defend their territory and females during this period.
Among the birdlife in the Galapagos Islands, a special treat at this time of year can be to see blue footed booby chicks which are recently matched or very young. They are still very small at this point in time, which can make for some lovely photographs. October is also an important month for the lava herons that can be found on some islands. During this month this bird species begins nesting, and you may spot them during their building process.
Activities in the Galapagos in October
Some believe that one of the best activities in the Galapagos in October is photography. Certainly, the sunrises from the western islands, with the mist rising makes for some beautiful shots. Equally, the light during the day time can be very good for photography at this time of year as it is not too bright.
Given that the Humboldt Current is considered at its peak during this period, snorkeling can be very interesting in the Galapagos in October. If snorkeling in October, you will be likely to get to see a lot of interesting fish, as the seas are more abundant during this month. Green sea turtles are often more visible during October. However, given the colder sea water it is worth bearing in mind that you might feel a bit cold in the water. Consider bringing a wetsuit with you if you feel the cold, or you might see if your boat will lend or rent you one for the period of your stay – but don’t just assume they can – check first to be sure!
Other activities in the Galapagos in October vary little from other times of the year. The walks along the Galapagos Islands visitor sites trails may often feel more pleasant during October, given that it is not so warm and humid as during other months.
October Galapagos Costs and Demand
In October Galapagos costs tend to be lower, as October is a low season month in the Galapagos Islands. This means that demand is typically much lower and there are some good deals to be had if you look around. There can be particularly good promotions on hotels, for those considering a Galapagos land-based option, but Galapagos Islands cruises can also be secured for a promotional price as well. Since this is low season, one of the advantages of visiting during this time is that there are fewer visitors to the islands as well. This means that generally, visiting the Galapagos Islands in October has a much quieter feel than it does in August or December, for example.
Our Insider Veredict
In short, visiting the Galapagos Islands in October is a good idea if you want to secure a good deal on price for your Galapagos Islands cruise or Galapagos land-based option. It is also a great time to come if your preference is for cooler weather, over the tropical and more humid weather that occurs in many of the other months of the year. Don’t forget a warmer item or two to wear on deck during sailing time, however. The Galapagos Islands are a photographer’s dream in October due to the specifics of the lighting and the weather in this month. If you’re up in time and visiting the western isles in particular, you may well get some great sunrise shots.
As always for more information and for help in choosing the best Galapagos Cruise for you, simply contact our team of local experts, we will be happy to help!
