Skip to content 
When is the best time to visit the archipelago? Though Galapagos has been named the ideal summer destination, you should read this Galapagos month-by-month guide before you decide the date of your trip.
TALK TO A DESTINATION EXPERT
Diego Zapata
Rosa Mena
Sandy Lara
Ready for Expert Travel Insights?
Diego Zapata
Rosa Mena
Sandy Lara
Deciding when to visit – Galapagos Month-by-month
January
- Start of the wet (hot) season.
- The eggs of land birds begin to appear throughout the islands, typically following the first rain.
- The famous Christmas iguanas on Española (Hood) Island begin to take on their green, red and black tones that give them their name.
- Green sea turtles emerge from the sea on Galapagos beaches to lay their eggs.
- The reproductive period of the land iguana begins.
February
- The greater flamingo on Floreana Island begins to nest.
- Bahama pintail ducks begin to breed.
- Marine iguanas on Santa Cruz Island begin to reproduce.
- Water temperatures reach their peak at around 25°C (77°F), maintaining this temperature until April.
- Peak of the Galapagos dove nesting season
March
- Dictated by tropical rains, strong sun, humidity and warm air temperatures (reaching up to 30C / 86F).
- Marine iguanas on Fernandina Island begin their nesting season.
- The Galapagos albatross arrives to Española Island after its several-month migration.
- Known for excellent snorkeling thanks to the warm waters. At sites such as Punta Vicente Roca, divers can swim with penguins and huge shoals of tropical fish.
- Deep surges may make wet landings difficult at visitor sites such as Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay, and Bartolome.
April
- The Galapagos albatross arrives in Española in enormous quantities. The mating season begins.
- Giant tortoise hatching season ends.
- Green sea turtle eggs begin to hatch on the beach. Tiny turtles can be seen crossing the beaches at night.
- Land iguana babies begin to hatch on Isabela.
- Less rainfall, but the islands maintain their lush green color.
- High visibility for divers.
May
- Renowned for demonstrating the best of both worlds, with aspects from the wet and dry seasons intermixing (also true for April and June).
- Blue-footed boobies commence their breeding season, famous for the highly ritualized dance.
- Sea turtles continue to hatch along Galapagos beaches.
- The nesting season of the Galapagos albatross begins.
- Ban-rumped storm petrels commence their first reproductive season of the year.
Any time of the year is best to visit the Galapagos, plan your next trip aboard Yacht La Pinta!
June
- Dry season begins (garúa fog present).
- Female giant tortoises migrate to the Santa Cruz lowlands to nest.
- Southeast trade winds bring stronger currents and waves.
- Male magnificent frigatebirds on North Seymour display their red pouches for the mating season.
- Migrant birds and several species of cetaceans pass through the Galapagos Islands, including humpback whales.
July
- Important breeding season for many sea birds, including the blue-footed booby and flightless cormorants, known for their spectacular courtship rituals.
- American oystercatcher nesting season.
- Mating season for lava lizards (lasts until November).
- Large numbers of cetaceans inhabit the Galapagos waters, particularly along the western coast of Isabela and Fernandina.
- Four stages of blue-footed booby nesting can be seen: eggs, chicks, juveniles, and young adults.
- Water temperature cool to below 21°C (68°F). Wetsuits are recommended.
August
- Mating season of the Galapagos hawk on Santiago and Española islands.
- Nesting season for Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls on Genovesa.
- Water temperatures at their lowest (and richest), at around 18°C (64°F).
- Marks the arrival of migrant shorebirds to the island. They stay until about March.
- Female giant tortoises climb back up to the highlands of Santa Cruz.
- Ocean currents are at their strongest, making the waters choppy with strong surges along the western and southern shores.
- Sealion pups begin to appear around the islands (particularly in the western and central islands).
September
- Height of the cold season.
- The Galapagos penguin is particularly active, often accompanying divers around Bartolome.
- The peak of the dry (garúa) season.
- Peak sea lion mating season. Fights often break out among males.
- The majority of sea birds are actively nesting.
October
- Lava heron nesting period begins, ending in March.
- Galapagos fur seals begin mating.
- Blue-footed booby chicks wobble around Española and Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela.
- The egg-laying season continues for giant tortoises.
- Days can be cloudy. Many shores are covered with the garua fog, particularly in the morning.
- Marked by stunning sunrises, with clear summits and low-lying fog.
November
- Sea lions continue to reproduce and are particularly active in the eastern islands.
- The brown noddy breeding season begins.
- The second productive season of the band-rumped storm petrels begins.
- Southeast trade winds diminish, waters are calm, and slowly begin to warm.
- Known for excellent weather, as it is a transition season.
- Sealion pups entertain divers in the water (particularly around Champion Island), curious to investigate these goggled creatures.
December
- Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch, babies can be seen emerging until April.
- The mating season of green sea turtles begins.
- At the start of the rainy season, Galapagos becomes “green.”
- Young Galapagos albatrosses begin to fledge.
- Weather is dictated by sunshine as the hot season begins.
How to know what works best for you?
Javier Garcia
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Javier Garcia
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
Get in touch for more
Contact Us
CONTACT US
Galapagos Travel Information
