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Galápagos · When to go

When is the best time to visit the Galápagos?

Honestly? There's no bad time — wildlife thrives year-round on the equator. The "best" month depends on what you most want to see. Here's the year at a glance, then month by month.

Warm & wet · December – May

24–30°C air · 23–26°C sea

Calmer crossings, warm water and bright skies with short tropical showers. The islands turn green and the warm-season hatchlings appear — the easiest, sunniest time to snorkel.

  • Warmest water for snorkelling
  • Calm seas
  • Sunny skies & green islands
  • Hatchlings & land-bird nesting

Cool & dry (garúa) · June – November

19–26°C air · 18–23°C sea

The Humboldt current brings cool, nutrient-rich water — and an explosion of marine life. Skies turn misty (the "garúa"), seas are livelier, and the diving is at its best.

  • Richest marine life
  • Seabird courtship & breeding
  • Whales & dolphins
  • Best diving (wetsuit weather)

Month by month

The Galápagos year

January

Warm

Seas calm and warming; first warm-season rains green the islands.

  • Land birds begin nesting
  • Marine iguanas turn vivid green & red on Española
  • Green sea turtles arrive to nest

Best for · Warm seas & green landscapes

February

Warm

Hottest month — the warmest water of the year for snorkelling.

  • Greater flamingos nesting
  • Galápagos doves most active
  • Bahama pintails breeding

Best for · Warmest water & snorkelling

March

Warm

Peak of the warm, wet season; superb underwater visibility.

  • Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina
  • Frigatebird males inflate red throat pouches
  • Calm crossings

Best for · Calm seas & frigatebird displays

April

Warm

End of the warm season — a month of mass hatching.

  • Waved albatrosses return to Española
  • Green-sea-turtle & land-bird eggs hatch
  • Lush islands, excellent visibility

Best for · Hatchlings & albatross arrival

May

Warm

Pleasant transition month before the cool season sets in.

  • Blue-footed boobies begin their courtship dance
  • Waved albatrosses laying eggs
  • Marine iguanas hatch on Santa Cruz

Best for · Blue-footed booby courtship

June

Cool

The garúa mist arrives and seas turn nutrient-rich.

  • Giant tortoises migrate to nest on Santa Cruz
  • First humpback whales off the west
  • Seabird colonies busy

Best for · Whales & rich waters

July

Cool

Cool, productive seas; seabird breeding in full swing.

  • Flightless cormorants & blue-footed boobies courting
  • Whales & dolphins common in the west
  • Lava lizards mating

Best for · Seabird breeding & cetaceans

August

Cool

Coolest, mistiest stretch — wonderful for active wildlife.

  • Sea lion pupping season begins
  • Galápagos hawks courting
  • Migrant shorebirds arrive

Best for · Sea lion pups

September

Cool

Peak marine activity in the coolest, richest waters.

  • Penguins, sea lions & fur seals at their most active
  • Excellent diving
  • Nazca boobies & swallow-tailed gulls nesting

Best for · Best diving & marine life

October

Cool

Cool season continues; fewer travellers, abundant wildlife.

  • Galápagos fur seals begin mating
  • Blue-footed booby chicks on the nest
  • Lava herons nesting

Best for · Fur seals & booby chicks

November

Cool

Seas begin to calm as the warm season approaches.

  • Playful sea lion pups everywhere
  • Great all-round wildlife & diving
  • Quieter, calming seas

Best for · Quieter seas & sea lion pups

December

Warm

Warm season returns — festive, sunny and lush (book early).

  • Green turtles begin nesting
  • Waved albatross chicks fledge & leave Española
  • Warm, calm seas return

Best for · Warming seas & turtle nesting

At a glance

Wildlife highlights by month

When to catch the headline species. A general guide — nature keeps its own schedule.

Species JFMAMJJASOND
Waved albatross (Española) Arrive Apr · chicks fledge Dec
Blue-footed booby courtship Famous courtship dance
Frigatebird displays Males inflate red pouches
Greater flamingos nesting Lagoons of Floreana & Rábida
Marine iguanas (colour & nesting) Bright mating colours
Green sea turtles nesting Hatchlings from Apr
Giant tortoise nesting Lowlands of Santa Cruz
Humpback whales & dolphins Best off western Isabela
Sea lion pups Pupping season
Galápagos penguins Year-round; liveliest in cool season

Warm season Cool season

Know roughly when you'd travel?

Tell us your month (or what you most want to see) and we'll match you to the right cruise, route and cabin.

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