The wet season is in full swing in January, bringing a slight daily drizzle but also high temperatures and nesting sea turtles, making this one of the best months in which to visit the Galapagos. Despite the rain, this is one of the sunniest months of the year in the Galapagos, making it popular with travellers.
Vegetation is at its most lush during the rainy season, a boon for photographers and those interested in land-based excursions. Galapagos sea lions are at the end of their mating season and nesting birds are a common sight. Giant tortoises (or, more accurately, miniature giant tortoises) can be seen hatching from their eggs at the beginning of the year.
Occasional rainfall persists in February, but this is still a popular month with travellers thanks to the sunshine, warm waters and wildlife activity. February is the optimal time for sightings of nesting Galapagos doves. Galapagos penguins can also be seen in the waters around Isabela and Fernandina Islands at this time and lots of frigatebird nesting sites can be found on North Seymour Island and South Seymour Island during the month of February.
March is the hottest and wettest month of the year on average, and while humidity can be an issue, the sheer variety of nesting animals and active marine life makes this a great time to visit the Galapagos. Sunny days and warm waters make March an amenable time of year for those looking to make use of their swimsuits – temperatures are likely to reach their annual high at this time. The tail end of March sees the return of the waved albatross to Espanola (Hood) Island, a remarkable bird species that mates for life and engages in a bizarre courtship ritual once October rolls around. Baby giant tortoises can be seen hatching from their eggs in March.
Verdant landscapes abound as the wet season begins to taper off in April, while sea waters become clearer and sea turtles hatch for the first time from their nests. While the whole of the Galapagos is at its most vibrant in April, the highlands are particularly verdant at this time of year, as these regions receive the most precipitation. Watching green sea turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests is a quite amazing experience, but be prepared to witness the circle of life in action as birds of prey swoop down to pick off those that fail to make it to the ocean. Iguana hatchlings can also be seen in April.
This is the beginning of a cooler, drier period for the Galapagos Islands, with lots of vegetation, nesting birds and marine life to enjoy. Galapagos penguins can be seen nesting in May, with Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island being particular hotspots. Waved albatrosses will also be laying eggs at this time, with thousands of them taking up residence on Espanola (Hood) Island. Galapagos shearwaters can be seen on the islands in May, which coincides with the birds’ breeding season.
The Humboldt Current sweeps up from the Antarctic in June, bringing with it cooler air and water temperatures as well as an abundance of food for Galapagos predators to feed upon. Although ocean waters will be cooler and less clear than in previous months, the rich nutrients brought to the islands by the Humboldt Current (including fish and plankton) will attract lots of sea lions, seabirds and other marine creatures. June is the first month that humpback whales can be seen in the surrounding waters. Greater flamingos will begin to build their nests in June, while flightless cormorants can be seen nesting on Fernandina Island and Galapagos penguins usually opt to lay their eggs in caves.
Temperatures are noticeably cooler in July compared to previous months, but the clear, sunny skies and low rainfall make this a great time of year to observe nesting birds. Expect cooler temperatures on land and in the water, as well as rougher seas and stronger winds. Water clarity will also be higher as a result and it is also a good time for hikers because of the cooler temperatures. July is a great month to witness the fascinating mating ritual of the blue-footed booby, and with luck you’ll be able to see all four stages in one place: eggs, chicks, juveniles and adults.
August sees temperatures continuing to cool and winds picking up, but abundant marine life and the sight of sea lion pups keep the visitors coming at a rate of knots. August is an excellent month for snorkelling, with the Humboldt Current bringing cooler waters and a supply of rich nutrients to the waters of the Galapagos – a boon for marine creatures. Baby sea lions will be flopping around on the sand for the first time in August – a quite simply adorable sight that you won’t want to miss. Newborn Galapagos fur seals can also be seen at this time, although they prefer rockier, shadier areas than the sea lions and are thus harder to spot.
Despite active seabirds and sea lions, September is the quietest month of the Galapagos calendar, with some ships going into dry dock. Although the Galapagos never experiences wild swings in temperature, it is worth bearing in mind that September is the coolest month here – this is not the time for sunbathing.
However, rainfall will also be at its lowest, which is great if you’re interested in a spot of hiking. Galapagos penguins are at their most active in September, with most of the birds found in the waters off Bartholomew, Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
A low-season month, October presents a good opportunity for a well-priced trip as temperatures begin to rise and wildlife activity remains strong. October is a great month for photographers, with overcast skies providing excellent natural lighting. Lava herons, a species of bird whose dark plumage blends in perfectly with the lava fields of the Galapagos, will begin to build their nests in October.
November is the last month of the cool, dry season in the Galapagos, and offers the best opportunities for swimming with sea lion pups. November is the month when seal and sea lion pups will finally begin to enter the water and swimming with them is a quite wonderful experience! You may also get to share the waters with Galapagos penguins and marine iguanas, or even dolphins if you find yourself close to Fernandina Island.
As the year comes to the end, the weather gets warmer and wetter and there is plenty of wildlife activity. The popularity of Christmas and New Year’s means advance booking is essential if you are looking to travel at this time. It is the last month you’ll get to see waved albatrosses in the Galapagos, as they will depart for their wintering grounds on the west coast of South America. Both marine iguanas and land iguanas engage in mating rites at this time. Green sea turtles are also a more common sight in Galapagos waters during December when compared to certain other months, as this is when the marine reptiles are mating. Swimming with sea lions is an exciting activity for divers and snorkellers to engage in, particularly as water visibility improves with the dissipation of the Humboldt Current.
