May 4, 2000
Richard Polatty - GalapagosI have just returned from 2 weeks in the islands (April 15 - 29). Everything is seasonably warm. The daytime temperatures averaged 84 F. or around 29 C. The sea is very calm and most boat passages are flat. The sea temperatures are also warm but seasonal. Below are specific temps but the average in the central islands was between 77 F. (25 C.) and 80 F. (26.7 C) The western island water is cool as expected averaging around 71 F (21.6 C)
Although the water is warm, rainfall is light. The farmers in the highlands of Santa cruz are complaining about the lack of usual rainfall amounts. There have been a few showers in the past weeks in Puerto Ayora but short lived. The coastal deserts of the visitor sites are mainly dry with a only a few small showers noticed.
In general, the snorkeling conditions are excellent. The clarity is good and the temperatures are warm everywhere. The sea lion population at Punta Suarez remains very high while other sites seem not to have recovered as well. The remaining bull sea lions in general are smaller.
The land iguanas are spread all over South Plaza eating the portulaca blooms among other things. Lots of white tip reef sharks at North Seymour. There are reduced number of sea lions at North Plaza and North Seymour. They seem not to have bounced back locally from El Niño. The Waved Albatross returned 3 weeks ago and are courting, nesting, and laying eggs. The migratory birds are largely absent having gone their way up north.
To check the latest sea surface conditions go to sea surface temperature maps provided by NOAA.
For specific island reports:
The water temperatures are taken at the top meter of surface water and then at various depths. If the area of measurement is deeper than 100 feet (30 meters) then the measurement is taken there. If it is shallower (usually at the anchorage for boats), the measurement is the bottom temperature.
April 16 - Tower
water temperature 77.8 F. (25.4) C. at the surface and 67.5 (19.7 C.) 80 feetMale Great Frigate display is in full swing. Lots of activity in general. A few older red footed booby chicks in nests.
April 17 - Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
water temps 70.5 F. (21.4 C.) surface 64.5 (18 C.) at 100 feet
7 cormorants at "penguin point" near the landing area
Several hundred dead tuna were washed up at the landing dock at Espinoza. It was a very recent kill. The tide was quite low and perhaps they were stranded in the little pool in front of the dock.
Several Laughing Gulls on the wing
American Oystercatcher nesting with 1 egg on the far point where the cormorants often nest.Tagus Cove, Isabela
water temps 69.5 F. (20.8 C) surface 66.8 (19.3 C) bottomThere is still a herd of goats roaming on the trails.
Persistent light rain in the afternoon but surprisingly little finch nesting with the rain. The Palo Santos are not in full leaf so there must not have been much rain.April 18 - Puerto Egas, Santiago
water temps surface 76.5 F.(24.7 C.) bottom 72.3 F (22.4 C.)Bartolome
water temps surface 79.3 F. (26.3 C.) at the bottom 78.1 F. (25.6 C.)April 19 - Daphne Major
water temp surface 79.5 F. (26.4 C.) and at100 ft (30 meter) depth 70.5 F. (21.4 C.)
North Seymour
79 F. (26.1 C.) and at the bottom 71.5 F. (21.9 C.)
Blue Footed Boobies courting on the trails and on the beach but only a few with eggs. Almost equal numbers of Great Frigates and Magnificent Frigates on nests but much more displaying from the Magnificent males. Still very few sea lions compared to pre- El Niño.Fabulous snorkeling on the SE side with excellent visibility and large numbers of white tip reef sharks and a couple of Hammerheads.
South Plaza
surface water temp 80.5 F. (26.9 C.) and at the bottom 79.5 F. (26.4 C.)As with previous years, a pair of Kelp Gulls is near the landing site (not nesting) The land iguanas are spread out everywhere eating portulaca blooms and not just concentrated near the cactus side.
April 20- Punta Cormorant, Floreana
water surface temp 79.5 F. (26.4 C.) and at the bottom 69.5 F. (20.8 C.)
9 flamingos in the lagoon along with the usual white cheeked pintailsBlack Beach
77.8 F. (25.4) at the surface and 73.5 F. (23 C.) at the bottom
Post Office Bay
Flock of Laughing Gulls
April 21- Isla Gardner (near Hood)
water at the surface 79.3 F. (26.3 C.) and at the bottom 71.8 F. (22.1 C.)
Punta Suarez, Hood
water temp at surface 79 F. (26.1 C.) and at the bottom 76.3 F. (24.6 C.)
April 23 - Tower
water temp at the surface 79.5 F. (26.4 C.) and 64.9 F. (18.3 C.) at 100 ft
Still lots of great frigate males displayingBarranco
4 Waved Albatross were seen flying around the cliffs of Prince Philip Steps. None were seen on the ground but I have seen them actually courting there in past years.
The Basked Boobies are starting to lay eggs
Most Red Footed Booby chicks about 4 weeks to 6 weeks oldApril 24 - Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
water temp at the surface 71.3 F. (21.8 C.) and 64.9 F. (18.3 C.) at 100ft
A pod of possibly 200 Bottle Nosed Dolphins were feeding near shore at Punta Espinoza and allowed close approaches by snorkelers.Tagus Cove, Isabela
water temp surface 72.1 F. (22.3 C.) and 66.9 F. (19.4 C.) bottom
April 25 - Bartolome
water temp at the surface 80.2 F.(26.8 C.) and 72.3 F. (22.4 C.) at 45 feet depthApril 26 - Daphne
water temp at the surface 78.3 F. (25.7 C.) and 73.2 F. (22.9 C.) at 100ftNorth Seymour
water temp at the surface 81.2 F. (27.3 C.) surface 79.3 50 ftSouth Plaza
water temp at the surface 81 F. (27.2 C.) and 78.1 F. (25.6 C.) at 35 feetApril 27 - Punta Cormorant, Floreana
19 Greater Flamingos in the lagoon (the most in months)Black Beach
water temp at the surface 79.3 F. (26.3 C.) and 77.5 F. (25.3 C.) at the bottomApril 28 Isla Tortuga, Hood
water temp at the surface 80.2 F. (26.8 C.) and 75.4 F. (24.1 C.) at the bottomPunta Suarez
water temp at the surface 78.8 F. (26 C.) and 75.6 F. (24.2 C.) at 45 feet depthThe Waved Albatross are courting. There are quite a few eggs now too. Still no Blue Footed Boobies nesting but quite a bit of Masked Booby nesting.