Planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands? Discover the best time of year to visit your favourite Galapagos species.
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As a global biodiversity hotspot, the Galapagos Islands are home to a vast array of species, and with over 80% of land birds and 97% of reptiles and land mammals found nowhere else on Earth, visiting these Enchanted Isles is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
When deciding the best time to visit the Islands, an important factor to consider is the climate, as this will impact the number, type and behaviours of the species you will see. The cooling effect of the Humboldt Current means that the climate across the Islands is generally mild and dry. Between May and December, the winds blow from a south-easterly direction so the coastline of the southern islands receives a supply of cool water, which chills the air and creates relatively cold conditions for islands located close to the equator.
January to April is considered the rainy season which brings reduced winds and much warmer sea currents. There is often heavy rain at higher elevations which causes streams of water to flow downhill, providing water to a much wider range of flora and fauna.
Marking the start of the rainy season, January is a busy time for many Galapagos species. For land birds and marine birds including Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and flightless cormorants, January marks the start of the nesting season. Marine iguanas begin their mating season during which some individuals will undergo a remarkable colour change, displaying bright green and red colouration to attract a partner. A great place to see this is on Española. Along the coastline, Galapagos green turtles start returning to their nesting beaches where they will often lay over 100 eggs at once. Over on Isabela, land iguanas begin their mating season.
February is known for its calm, clear waters, making it a great time to snorkel or dive alongside green turtles and sea lions. On Floreana, flamingos flock in great numbers as they begin their nesting season. Meanwhile, on North Seymour, hundreds of magnificent frigatebird breeding pairs come together to start their courtship season.
Not only does March mark the peak of the rainy season in Galapagos, it also holds the title of the warmest time of the year. On Fernandina, marine iguanas begin to nest, while giant tortoises can be seen breeding. Towards the end of the month, waved albatrosses return to Española to find their partners and start their courting rituals.
Visiting Galapagos is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being prepared and informed will help you get the most out of your visit whilst ensuring that you keep your impact to a minimum.
While April marks the end of the rainy season, much of the Galapagos Islands remains green and lush. Throughout April, green turtle eggs start hatching across beaches in Galapagos. Meanwhile, further inland, Galapagos land iguana eggs begin hatching on Isabela. April also marks the end of the hatching season for giant tortoises. Over on Española, waved albatrosses arrive in masses to start their courting and mating season.
May marks the transition between the warm and cool seasons, resulting in lots of changes across the Islands. On North Seymour, blue-footed boobies begin their charismatic courtship dances in the hopes of attracting a mate. Over on Española, waved albatrosses begin laying eggs following their complex courtship rituals. On Santa Cruz, the majority of marine iguana eggs have hatched from their nests, whilst over on Bartolome, Galapagos penguins are highly active as they hunt for an abundance of fish.
June is the beginning of the cooler season in terms of both the air and water. Migrating humpback whales can be seen in the waters surrounding Galapagos as they head further south to warmer waters. Inland on Santa Cruz, giant tortoises begin their migration from the highlands in search of nesting sites. On Genovesa, the courtship season of great frigatebirds is in full swing, with males flaunting their red throat pouches to potential mates.
In July, the Humboldt Current surrounding the Islands begins to strengthen, bringing in cold water to meet with the warm Pacific, subsequently creating abundant nutrients in the waters around Galapagos. As such, the marine life becomes more active, making it a great time to snorkel. On Fernandina, July is a great time to see flightless cormorants perform intricate courtship rituals. Across the Archipelago, colourful lava lizards begin their mating rituals in the hope of attracting mates. Smaller sea birds such as American oystercatchers also begin nesting on Santiago Island
August is known for being the coolest month of the year. August marks the beginning of the courtship season for Galapagos hawks on Española and Santiago. On Genovesa, Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls begin to nest. Across the Archipelago, Galapagos sea lions begin to give birth, while marine birds are busy feeding their chicks, taking advantage of the upwelling and food-rich waters.
Cool temperatures continue into September. Galapagos penguins on Bartolome are at their most active with their courtship displays which reinforce their lifetime bonds. Female Galapagos sea lions are in season meaning males are busy defending their territories from rivals. Migratory whales, such as minkes, humpbacks, seis and blue whales are most commonly seen during the cooler months including September.
Discover the amazing diversity of wildlife that makes the Galapagos Archipelago so special.
The Humboldt Current continues to flow strongly, pushing nutrients towards the shores of the Islands, making snorkelling great in October with the common addition of curious sea lion pups joining snorkellers. Blue-footed boobies on Española and Isabela are busy raising their chicks which will stay with their parents for two months. Across the Archipelago, Galapagos fur seals are entering their mating season.
November is the end of the cold season in Galapagos. It marks the start of the breeding season for brown noddies, while band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period and the pupping season continues for Galapagos sea lions. November also sees the Galapagos green turtle breeding cycle begin again, with pairs starting to mate.
December marks the transition between the cool and warm seasons. Giant tortoise eggs begin hatching. Along the coastlines, marine iguanas begin their mating rituals while in the surrounding waters, green turtles continue their mating displays. The first young waved albatrosses fledge at this time of year, a fantastic sight for everyone visiting Española.
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