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Traveling to the Galapagos Islands in July
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September 13, 2021
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September 21, 2021Choosing the best month for a Galapagos visit can be complicated. Visitors want to maximize their chances of seeing as much wildlife as possible in weather they are comfortable with. The good news is that the Galapagos Islands in July are teeming with wildlife, and many of the birds are breeding and nesting. Spending July in Galapagos may be the only practical option for those traveling with children of school age. Luckily, Galapagos is a year-round destination, worthy of a visit in any month. However, a visit to the Galapagos Islands in July has a number of benefits. Here we will explain everything you need to know about July in Galapagos, including Galapagos weather in July, July Galapagos wildlife, demand for tourism in July, the activities you can expect to enjoy in July and more.
Galapagos Weather in July
The Galapagos weather in July is significantly cooler than in the preceding months, and noticeably so compared with June. This is great for those that do not enjoy a hot climate and would prefer to travel during a cooler period. The average maximum temperature is around 77 degrees Fahrenheit, or 25 degrees Celsius, with the average temperature in general closer to 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius. The sea temperature is the same as the average temperature on the land. The cooler temperatures in the sea mean that nutrients are carried from afar, which provide rich food sources for Galapagos marine life. It is not very rainy, and average monthly rainfall is 0.6 inches (or 1.4cm). You can expect that you might need some warmer clothing for evenings in particular. One of the great things about the weather in July is that you can expect clear skies for around six hours per day, and later on in the summer there are more clouds.
One point worthy of consideration for those that suffer from sea sickness is that the sea can be rougher in the Galapagos during July, and there are stronger winds too. It is worth noting that while the winds do pick up, they do not get to the speeds that are seen in other places, such as in the Caribbean.
Galapagos Wildlife in July
Due to the cooler weather in the water brought by the Humboldt sea current, it may be possible to see whales in the ocean. You may also spot dolphins if you are lucky. Sightings of these creatures are reported to be more common to the south and west of Isabela Island in particular.
July also sees the start of the California sea lion breeding season. This leads to a good deal of competition between the larger males during this month. The males will fight to ensure they gain access to a territory with a harem of females so that they can mate.
Aside from large marine life, bird life in the Galapagos Islands is very active during July. Blue-footed boobies generally start nesting during the month of July, and the other boobies (red-footed booby and masked booby) are also breeding and nesting. The latter can occur all year around. The massive waved albatross is also nesting during July, and this is not something that can be observed all year around. Also, while magnificent and great frigate birds can be seen nesting year-round on North Seymour Island, they can be seen nesting in other places during this month. This is good news if your Galapagos Islands cruise does not stop at North Seymour Island.
Other highly active bird life during this period are flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins and greater flamingoes who can all be seen breeding and nesting during this time frame. The cormorant in particular has an elaborate courtship ritual that you may get to see if you are lucky. Meanwhile, smaller sea birds are also active during this period. American oystercatchers nest during this month on Santiago Island. Moorhens may also have young chicks in July.
Activities in the Galapagos in July
All Galapagos activities can be enjoyed year-round, which makes the Islands a fabulous place to visit. However, the fact that the Humboldt Current brings in colder water and a lot of nutrients leads to a much more active marine life. This means that July is a superb time to try out snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. The water is generally clearer than the preceding months. The cooler weather than during other months of the year means that July is a good time for the walks and hikes on the islands. Birdwatchers will enjoy visiting during July due to all of the activity among the bird life on the islands.
July Galapagos Costs and Demand
July is one of the busiest months in the Galapagos Islands. This is because in north America and Europe the schools are out for the summer, and this is a popular time for vacationing with children. What this means is that demand is high for space on Galapagos cruises. If you want to go on a Galapagos cruise in July it is important to book very early to be sure of a place. It will be difficult to find a last-minute place on a boat. Since demand is high, costs are also likely to be higher than at quieter times of the year. If you’ve left it too late to find a space on a Galapagos Islands cruise then you might consider a Galapagos land-based option instead, as these do not fill up quite so far in advance. When considering a cruise tour, we normally have excellent rates available for our clients looking to travel on the Endemic Galapagos cruise and the always popular Natural Paradise boat, do make sure to ask us about our deals for these two options among others.
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Many families in particular have little choice but to visit the Galapagos in July, or at least during the summer months when their children are off school. The Galapagos Islands in July are luckily a great place to visit. There is more active marine life and the chance of seeing whales – which is unlikely during most months of the year. The snorkeling can be superb, and a lot of the bird life is nesting during this month. The great thing about a trip to Galapagos Islands in July is that the weather is not too hot either, which makes it a great time for a visit for those that prefer a less tropical feel to their weather. The only caveat is that for Galapagos Islands cruises it is usually necessary to book many months in advance during this period. Those seeking Galapagos land-based options may be able to leave it a little later.
