INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Santa Cruz Water Temperature
Updated Sat 14:55 (Pacific/Galapagos)
Ecuador · Forecast updated Nov 7, 2026, 14:55 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
28.5°C
83.3°F
Very warm water
Valid Nov 7, 2026, 14:55 (Pacific/Galapagos). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
4.9°C above
The typical November average is 23.6°C (74.5°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Warming by 0.4°C
Seven-day average: 28.8°C, versus 28.4°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Very warm water
Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
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 28.1°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 2022–2025. 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 | 23.5°C / 74.3°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 2022–2025 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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: December 23.5°C · February 28.2°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: January 25.5°C · March 28.4°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: February 28.2°C · April 27.8°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: March 28.4°C · May 26.0°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: April 27.8°C · June 25.0°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: May 26.0°C · July 24.1°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: June 25.0°C · August 22.9°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: July 24.1°C · September 22.5°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: August 22.9°C · October 23.0°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: September 22.5°C · November 23.6°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: October 23.0°C · December 23.5°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Santa Cruz in December
Typical December water temperature near Santa Cruz is 23.5°C (74.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.2–25.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: November 23.6°C · January 25.5°C.
Explore Santa Cruz sea temperature in December, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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 | 26.7°C / 80.0°F | 28.4°C / 83.1°F |
| October | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.9°C / 82.1°F | 28.6°C / 83.5°F |
| November | 28.3°C / 82.9°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 29.1°C / 84.4°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3839 hourly forecast records across 6 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 28.5°C (83.3°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 28.1°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 2022–2025 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 28.5°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 →