September 3, 2000
Richard Polatty - GalapagosI have just returned from a week in the islands. The conditions are quite normal for the season. The surface water temperatures in the central and southern islands are in the low to mid 60s F. (15.5 C. to 18 C.) and the 40 foot to 100 foot deep temperatures are in the mid 50s F. (10 C.) with an absolute low measured during the week of 49.6 F (9.8 C.) in Tagus Cove at 70 feet depth. The air temperatures are very pleasant and range between 65 and 75 F. (18.3 and 23.5 C.) There is some garua but not as much as might be expected. The highlands of Santa Cruz and Floreana are quite wet with garua on the windward sides as would be expected.
The sea conditions are also pretty normal for this time of year. Transits from Tower over to the west (Fernandina and Isabela) are meeting with quite bit of wind and swell. The central island waters are calm to lightly choppy.
Migratory birds such as ruddy turnstones, semipalmated plovers, and northern phalaropes are arriving in abundance. For the first time in several years (since the last El Niño) flocks of red-necked phalaropes were seen feeding with their typical dabbling behaviour with heads in the water and tails in the air in the Flamingo Lagoon at Floreana.
Several islands have sea lion populations with new pups. The bulls are quite aggresive accordingly.
Wetsuits are definitely recommended for snorkeling with very cool water temperatures. Be prepared for cool days but not much garua.
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.
August 27- Tower
water temperature 70.5 F. (21.4) C. at the surface and 63.3 ( 17.4 C.) 80 feetEssentially no male frigate display except for a couple seen flying. Not very many chicks on the nests either - mostly flying around. Large numbers of wedge rumped storm petrels are at the nesting site. Many swallowtailed gull nests have chicks less than one week old.
August 28- Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
water temps 60.3F. (15.7 C.) surface 55.8 (13.2 C.) at 100 feetThere are 2 active flightless cormorant nests on the visitor trail that have chicks in them.
A feeding frenzy was observed that apparently was caused by 3 Orcas (Killer Whales) that had killed another whale. A male and 2 female orcas were feeding on the dead whale. The parts uneaten by the orcas served as a feast for masses of birds. 3 Waved Albatross, and several south polar skuas were also part of the frenzy. I personally had never seen waved albatross feeding in the Bolivar Channel.
Tagus Cove, Isabela
water temps 63.5 F. (17.5 C) surface 49.6 ( 9.8 C) bottomThe bottom temperature is the lowest that I have ever recorded in Tagus Cove.
August 29- Puerto Egas, Santiago
water temps surface 64.4 F.(18 C.) bottom 59.0F (15 C.)Flocks of migrants such as ruddy turnstones and semipalmated plovers are abundant now as they start their migration.
Bartolome
water temps surface 63.1 F. (17.3 C.) at the bottom 56.3 F. (13.5 C.)August 30- Daphne Major
water temp surface 64 F. (17.7 C.) and at 100 ft (30 meter) depth 53.2 F. (11.8 C.)
North Seymour
65F. (18.3 C.) and at the bottom 56.3 F. (13.5 C.)Large numbers of blue footed boobies are successfully breeding now. Most have small chicks. Lots of displaying magnificent frigate males. The number of sea lions seems to have never bounced back to pre-El Niño levels.
South PlazaThe land iguanas are now concentrated on the west side of the island with few being seen beyond the landing area. Red billed tropic birds have 2 week old chicks in nests in the cliffs.
August 31- Punta Cormorant, Floreana
water surface temp 63.0F. (17.2 C.) and at the bottom 52.2 F. (11.2 C.)
27 flamingos in the lagoon (2 juveniles) - also large numbers of northern phalaropes and western sandpipers. There is a lot of finch activity up in the highlands with the medium tree finch locally abundant.
September 1 - Isla Gardner (near Hood)
water at the surface 63.5 F. (17.5 C.) and at the bottom 57.2 F. (14 C.)Many sea lion pups less than 2 weeks old.
Punta Suarez, Hood
The Waved albatross have abandoned all of their eggs in the visitor site. They are dancing a lot though. There is also much albatrosss activity in the air. Very little evidence now of rafting off shore (also quite rough off shore).
Many Large Cactus Finch juveniles and adults are around. The blue footed boobies have abandoned their previous nesting attempt at Punta Suarez with some just starting to dance now.