Santa Cruz Water Temperature
Updated Wed 04:49 (Pacific/Galapagos)
Ecuador · Forecast updated Sep 23, 2026, 04:49 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
26.8°C
80.2°F
Warm water
Valid Sep 23, 2026, 04:49 (Pacific/Galapagos). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
4.3°C above
The typical September average is 22.5°C (72.5°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Holding fairly steady
Seven-day average: 26.7°C, versus 26.6°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Warm water
Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Cold tolerance varies. Wind, session length, sunshine, and exertion also affect comfort; temperature alone does not describe sea conditions or replace the snorkel forecast.
Typical Sea Temperature Over the Year
In the historical baseline for Santa Cruz, typical monthly averages range from about 22.5°C (72.5°F) in September to 28.4°C (83.1°F) in March.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Santa Cruz has been 26.3°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Santa Cruz, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24.6–26.5°C | 25.5°C / 77.9°F |
| February | 27.9–28.4°C | 28.2°C / 82.8°F |
| March | 28.2–28.6°C | 28.4°C / 83.1°F |
| April | 26.6–29.0°C | 27.8°C / 82.0°F |
| May | 24.3–28.3°C | 26.0°C / 78.8°F |
| June | 22.7–27.9°C | 25.0°C / 77.0°F |
| July | 22.4–26.7°C | 24.1°C / 75.4°F |
| August | 21.3–25.4°C | 22.9°C / 73.2°F |
| September | 20.8–25.1°C | 22.5°C / 72.5°F |
| October | 22.0–24.9°C | 23.0°C / 73.4°F |
| November | 22.0–25.4°C | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
| December | 22.2–25.7°C | 23.7°C / 74.7°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-0.71, -90.29). Each month is the mean of yearly monthly means; the range is the lowest and highest of those yearly monthly means. Open-Meteo methodology.
Water temperature by month
Each month uses the 2023–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Santa Cruz in January
Typical January water temperature near Santa Cruz is 25.5°C (77.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.6–26.5°C.
Santa Cruz in February
Typical February water temperature near Santa Cruz is 28.2°C (82.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.9–28.4°C.
Santa Cruz in March
Typical March water temperature near Santa Cruz is 28.4°C (83.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.2–28.6°C.
Santa Cruz in April
Typical April water temperature near Santa Cruz is 27.8°C (82.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.6–29.0°C.
Santa Cruz in May
Typical May water temperature near Santa Cruz is 26.0°C (78.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.3–28.3°C.
Santa Cruz in June
Typical June water temperature near Santa Cruz is 25.0°C (77.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.7–27.9°C.
Santa Cruz in July
Typical July water temperature near Santa Cruz is 24.1°C (75.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.4–26.7°C.
Santa Cruz in August
Typical August water temperature near Santa Cruz is 22.9°C (73.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.3–25.4°C.
Santa Cruz in September
Typical September water temperature near Santa Cruz is 22.5°C (72.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 20.8–25.1°C.
Santa Cruz in October
Typical October water temperature near Santa Cruz is 23.0°C (73.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.0–24.9°C.
Santa Cruz in November
Typical November water temperature near Santa Cruz is 23.6°C (74.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.0–25.4°C.
Santa Cruz in December
Typical December water temperature near Santa Cruz is 23.7°C (74.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.2–25.7°C.
Forecast archive (growing)
These values come from hourly forecasts SnorkelForecast has stored. They cover only months with records and do not replace the historical baseline.
| Month | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| July | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| August | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| September | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 27.2°C / 81.0°F |
Partial coverage: 4 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 2749 hourly forecast records across 4 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Santa Cruz
Galápagos hub with sea lions, turtles and rays at Las Grietas and Tortuga Bay.
- Area
- Galápagos
Santa Cruz Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Santa Cruz today?
The current sea surface temperature near Santa Cruz is 26.8°C (80.2°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 26.3°C.
When is the water warmest in Santa Cruz?
The water is typically warmest in March, at around 28.4°C (83.1°F) in the 2023–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Santa Cruz?
The water is typically coldest in September, at around 22.5°C (72.5°F) in the same historical baseline.
Can you swim in Santa Cruz today?
At 26.8°C, the water is usually comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.
Full Snorkeling Forecast
See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Santa Cruz.
View Snorkel Forecast →