Galapagos Islands

DISCOVER COUNTRY

WHEN TO VISIT AND FACTS

January is the beginning of the rainy season. Water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June.

• Ideal time for snorkeling as there is great underwater visibility.
• Land birds and frigate birds are nesting.
• Land iguanas begin their reproductive cycle.
• The green sea turtles arrive on the beaches for their egg-laying period.

February is the month where the water reaches its highest temperature, which remains constant until April.

• February is still a great time for snorkeling with warm waters and good visibility.
• Marine iguanas are nesting.
• First sightings of penguins after having followed the cool waters back to the west.
• Nesting season of the galapagos dove has reached its peak.
• Giant tortoises are hatching.

Rainy season reaches the highest precipitation in March with sporadic tropical rains. Temperatures remain hot with high humidity.

In April the rains have ended and the islands are very green. Both the water and air temperatures are at their best.

• The beginning of the best two months for snorkeling.
• The start off the mating dance for the blue-footed boobies.
• End of hatching season for the giant tortoises.
• Eggs of green sea turtles begin to hatch.
• Eggs of land iguanas begin to hatch.

Water and air temperatures remain at their peak in May. Along with June, these months offer the most pleasant weather.

• Blue-footed boobies have their courtship.
• Most marine iguanas hatch from their nests.
• Band-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.
• Magnificent and great frigate birds are nesting (all year round).

Beginning of the garúa season (cool dry season) which lasts until December. South-east winds return, currents become a bit stronger and seas pick up in surge and wave action.

• Giant tortoises migrate from the highlands to the lowlands and begin their nesting season.
• Magnificent frigate birds show off their red pouches.
• Southern migrants have started their journey journey towards the north and Galapagos provides a resting spot.
• Groups of humpback whales begin to appear.

Water temperatures start dropping down in July and this month has more pronounced winds.

• The presence of the Humboldt Current begins to strengthen making nutrients in the water more abundant and marine life more active.
• Flightless cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals and nesting activities.
• Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November.
• Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are more likely to be seen.
• Great month to see the four stages of nesting in blue-footed boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and sub-adults.

In August, the temperature of the ocean drops and they begin to get quite choppy. Currents reach their strongest levels and a surge can be expected along the shores that face south or west.

• Giant tortoises return to the highlands.
• Migrant shore birds start to arrive staying on the islands until March.
• Pupping season of sea lions has started. Western and central islands are common places to see such sightings.
• Dolphin and whale sightings are likely with the cool oceanic Humboldt Current arriving from the south.

The air temperatures reach their lowest in September but with the lowest chance of rain in the lowlands.

• A great month for snorkeling.
• Galapagos Penguins show remarkable activity in the water.
• Sea lions are very active. Females have reached their estrus stage so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting.
• Most species of sea birds remain active at their nesting sights.

Days are not always sunny but the drizzle rain surrounds the volcanoes making the islands ‘disappear’ from sight. Afternoons tend to clear making day activities and programs not affected.

• Blue-footed boobies raise their chicks.
• Lava herons start nesting until March.
• The Galapagos fur sea lions begin their mating period.
• Giant tortoises are still laying their eggs.

Seas are much calmer in November and their temperatures are beginning to rise again. The Humboldt Current is still strong meaning marine life is still very active.

• Breeding season for the brown noddies.
• Marine encounters are very common so snorkeling is at its peak.
• Band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period.
• Pupping of sea lions continues and sea lion pups play aqua-aerobics next to snorkelers and even tend to nibble on fins.

In December, the rainy season begins though great weather remains, with mostly sunny days. Water temperatures continue to warm up.

• Its the start and the end of the breeding and mating seasons for many animals, making wildlife very attractive.
• Hatching of giant tortoise’s eggs.
• Green sea turtles begin their mating behaviour.
• First red pouches of great frigate birds seen.
• The first young albatrosses fledge.
• Northern migrants have started their journey south, stopping by the Galapagos.