Local information about the Galapagos

Climate

The Galapagos Islands offer a dry and temperate climate all year round. The climate is not typical tropical but more dry and variable, seen during 2 clearly distinct seasons: from January to May a hot season (23 to 30) with some showers, and from June to September (19 to 20) fairly dry. Even though we can dive in the archipelago all year round, our experience shows that the prefered period is between July and December. This is due to clearer water and more encounters with the large pelagics.

Month:	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Period:
Air (°C):	30	30	30	29	28	28	27	26	25	25	26	26
Water (°C):	25	25	25	24	24	24	23	23	23	23	23	24

	= Optimal period
	= Recommended period
	= Not recommended period

Help us protect the environment

Since its inception ABYSS has always been committed to the protection of the environment. We invite you to join us in observing these simple rules:

Your travel documents will include a responsible diver chart from the Longitude 181 Association. Please study and apply these rules wherever possible
Protect the environment, both above and below water, by reducing to a minimum the impact of our activities.
Leave nothing behind which is non perishable and remember to take back things such as batteries, cigarette filters and plastic containers to name a few.
Use a minimum of non renewable resources such as water and energy.
Never buy any souvenirs that are made from tortoise shell, coral or shells.
Do not touch the fish or the coral during your dives and control your buoyancy at all times.

In addition, please find below the Galapagos National Park Rules

Do not disturb or touch any animal. Respect the distance between yourself and the animal.
Do not remove or displace any plant or rock
Do not bring back any living organism or displace them from island to island. Every island has its own fauna and flora and displacement may rapidly destroy their equilibrium.
Do not feed the animals. This may be dangerous for you and may also affect the social structure and natural behaviour of the animals.
Do not frighten any animal during its rest or nesting period.
Remain on the dedicated pathways. There are many visitors to the islands and it is important not to damage the vegetation or cause erosion.
Do not throw away any waste, neither on land, nor in the water.
Do not buy any local pre-cut souvenirs (except wood) as this encourages the exploitation of natural resources used in the fabrication of these souvenirs. In particular, seals teeth, black coral, turtle products or shells.
Do not smoke on the islands.

Always demonstrate your responsible attitude in the defence of the environment. This remains an obligation for all of us.

Usefull details

Customs formalities:	Valid passport 6 months after return / Biometric passport mandatory if travelling through the USA.
Health formalities:	Up to date vaccinations. Malaria treatment recommended and yellow fever vaccine mandatory if extending stay in Amazonia.
Jet lag:	UT/GMT -6 hours
Currency:	US Dollar
Accepted methods of payments:	Cash, Visa/Mastercard (on land and on board)
Electricity:	110V - American outlets - foresee an adaptor
Languages:	Spanish, English
Flight time:	Depending on departure location
Luggage:	Our preference is for soft baggage for storage purposes on board. The luggage excess can vary depending on the airline. Please consult your travel agency. For the internal flight Guayaquil - Galapagos a max of 20kg is allowed (USD 5 extra charge per kilo - payment on site)
Pharmacy:	First aid kit, aspirin or paracetamol, sun screen plus sunburn ointment, insect repellent.
Required documents:	Photocopy of your passport, dive certification card, log book and proof of repatriation insurance. Valid dive medical within last 12 months.