When to visit the Galapagos Islands

Our month by month guide on the weather, activities and wildlife you are likely to encounter.

The Galapagos Islands are ideal to visit any month of the year, yet there are differences in what you can see and do depending on the month you visit. Most of the species are endemic to the Galapagos Islands and can be seen all year round including many small bird species, penguins, sea lions, marine and land Iguanas, the Galapagos hawk, Darwin's finches, giant tortoises, flamingoes, red, blue and nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, magnificent and great frigate birds, manta rays, orca whales, dolphins, sperm whales, sharks, whale sharks and sea turtles. 

The migration, mating, nesting and hatching seasons are at certain times - see the wildlife highlights below:

Weather and sea temperatures also vary by month, so if you prefer snorkelling without a wetsuit, then it is best to travel from February to April when the sea water temperatures are warmer. If your interest is walking, hiking and exploring ashore, then the slightly cooler months from July to October are a good option.

January 

Average air temperatures: 22-30° C

Average water temperatures: 24.5° C 

Warmer water and greater visibility for snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies for stargazing.

Wildlife highlights:

• Darwin's finches are breeding, nesting and hatching
• Flamingoes nest and hatch their eggs
• Land birds start nesting
• Great frigate birds are breeding, nesting and hatching
• Marine and land iguanas are mating and nesting
• Green sea turtles arrive on beaches to nest
• Giant tortoises are mating, laying eggs and hatching

February  

Average air temperatures: 24-30° C

Average water temperatures: 25° C 

Warmer water and greater visibility for snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies for stargazing.

Wildlife highlights:

• Giant tortoises are mating, laying eggs and hatching
• Greater flamingos nest and hatch their eggs
• Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz
• Sea turtles are mating and nesting
• Darwin's finches breed, nest and hatch
• Magnificent and great frigate birds breed, nest and hatch their eggs

March

Average air temperatures: 24-31° C

Average water temperatures: 25° C 

Warmer water and greater visibility for snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies for stargazing.

Wildlife highlights:

• Giant tortoises are mating, laying eggs and hatching
• Darwin's finches breed, nest and hatch
• Sea turtles are hatching
• Marine Iguanas nest on Fernandina and North Seymour Islands
• Magnificent and great frigate birds breed, nest and hatch
• Albatrosses begin to arrive on Española

April 

Average air temperatures: 24-31° C

Average water temperatures: 25° C 

Warmer water and greater visibility for snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies for stargazing.

Wildlife highlights:

• The Galapagos hawk breeds and nests
• The waved albatrosses start their incredible mating dance
• Green sea turtle eggs begin to hatch
• Marine and land iguana eggs start to hatch

May 

Average air temperatures: 22-28° C

Average water temperatures: 24.5° C 

Warmer water for snorkelling and good opportunities to see larger fish, clear skies for stargazing. 

Wildlife highlights:

• Blue-footed boobies begin their courtship, start breeding, nesting and hatching
• Galapagos penguins breed, nest and hatch their eggs
• Sea turtles are hatching their eggs on the beach
• The Galapagos hawk breed and nest
• Marine and land Iguanas eggs begin to hatch
• Waved albatrosses begin to lay their eggs

June 

Average air temperatures: 21-26° C

Average water temperatures: 23° C

Good month to see the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies good for star gazing. 

Wildlife highlights:

• Blue boobies are breeding, nesting and hatching
• Flightless cormorants breed, nest and hatch their eggs
• Giant tortoises migrate from the highlands of Santa Cruz to the lowlands, to look for nesting sites
• Galapagos penguins breed, nest and hatch their eggs
• Humpback whales sometimes pass by on their migration north
• Waved Albatross lay their eggs

July  

Average air temperatures: 20-26° C

Average water temperatures: 22° C

Good month to see the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies with scattered clouds - still good for stargazing. Good air temperatures for walks and hikes ashore.

Wildlife highlights:

• Flightless cormorants begin their courtship rituals
• Sea birds are more active
• Whales and dolphin sightings more common
• Waved albatross lay their eggs

August 

Average air temperatures: 19-26° C

Average water temperatures: 21.5° C

Good month to see the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies with scattered clouds - still good for stargazing. Good air temperatures for walks and hikes ashore.

Wildlife highlights:

• Humpback whales pass by on their migration north
• Red and nazca boobies are breeding, nesting and hatching
• Sea lions begin to have their pups on the beaches (it is possible to swim and snorkel with the juvenile sea lions all year except October.)
• Galapagos hawks start their courtship
• Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz
• Migrant shore birds begin to arrive
• Waved albatross lay their eggs

September 

Average air temperatures: 19-26° C

Average water temperatures: 21.5° C

Good month to see the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies with scattered clouds - still good for stargazing. Good air temperatures for walks and hikes ashore.

Wildlife highlights:

• Humpback whales pass by on their migration north
• Waved albatross lay their eggs
• Penguins highly active around Bartolome Island
• Sea lions begin to have their pups on the beaches (it is possible to swim and snorkel with the juvenile sea lions all year except October.)

October 

Average air temperatures: 20-26° C

Average water temperatures: 22.5° C

Best month seeing the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies with scattered clouds - still good for stargazing. Good air temperatures for walks and hikes ashore.

Wildlife highlights:

• Humpback whales pass by on their migration north
• Waved albatross lay their eggs
• Fur seals begin mating season
• Lava herons start nesting
• Flamingoes breed

November 

Average air temperatures: 21-26° C

Average water temperatures: 23° C

Best month seeing the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies with scattered clouds - still good for stargazing.

Wildlife highlights:

• Humpback whales pass by on their migration north
• Observe the juvenile Waved Albatross
• Dolphin and whale watching is more common
• Sea lion puppies active in water
• Brown noddies begin mating
• Flamingoes breed

December 

Average air temperatures: 22-27° C

Average water temperatures: 22.5° C 

Best month seeing the widest varieties of fish when snorkelling and sea activities. Clear skies with scattered clouds - still good for stargazing.

Wildlife highlights:

• Giant tortoise eggs start to hatch
• Green sea turtles begin mating season
• Flamingoes breed
• Observe the juvenile waved albatross