Floreana Island

This is, without a doubt, an exciting time to visit the Galápagos Archipelago. The season we are experiencing on the islands right now is called the cold-dry season. This season, which lingers from June to December, has a special charm that is difficult to explain in just a few words. In general terms, the skies are overcast most of the day, providing us with a pleasant cloud cover that allows us to stay longer at the visitor’s sites. A cool breeze is present the whole day through. Water temperatures are refreshing and the ocean is full of life. The prevailing currents which bathe the archipelago during this season bring an incredible amount of rich nutrients that provoke an explosion of life in the oceans. The Humboldt or Peru Current brings cold water north from Antarctic along the west coast of South America and then westward to the Galápagos Archipelago. Many animal species in the Galápagos depend directly on the nutrients these currents provide. Marine birds and sea lions are breeding, and taking advantage of the abundance of food around the islands.

Today we experienced first hand the high productivity of the ocean during this season. We were involved in a magical snorkeling experience. Hundreds of fish and playful sea lions were our companions. It is always rewarding to see the happy faces of our visitors. Likewise it is extremely motivating to listen to the superlatives used to describe both the land and water ecosystems. This was a dream-like day on Floreana Island, filled with beautiful landscapes and unforgettable sights and experiences while immersed in the magical, cool dry season.