The Galapagos Islands are a nature enthusiast’s dream. With pristine beaches, friendly people, and a diverse range of wildlife, the atmosphere of the islands will take your breath away.
Approximately 97 percent of the Galapagos Islands are protected as part of the National Park system and remain uninhabited. The populated areas are San Cristobal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, and Floreana Island.
Best Time to Visit Galapagos | Weather & Traveler Advice by PointsandTravel
Galapagos Islands make the perfect year-round destinations for tourists like you. However, one of the most significant decisions you will have to make is when to visit.
Finding the best time to travel to Galapagos Islands can be tricky. The Galapagos Islands are so beautiful that they deserve multiple visits.
There is no such thing as a bad time when visiting the Galapagos Islands. Of course, some seasons provide more favorable opportunities than other seasons do.
We will go over the advantages and disadvantages of each season here. Below, we will attempt to help you narrow down when the best time would be for your particular interests.
Galapagos Island Different Seasons
The Galapagos Islands are part of mainland Ecuador, where the capital city of Quito is located. It is a small archipelago of volcanic islands on the Pacific Coast about 1,000 kilometers west of the South American coast. A Galapagos cruise and a trip through Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest are two of the country’s natural beauties.
You can also take a tour of the Amazon basin located in the Amazon region. Here you will witness the lush vegetation and a variety of wildlife. While they are famous for their unique wildlife, landforms, and biodiversity, the Galapagos Islands are also known for having unusual weather patterns.
The weather on the Galapagos Islands is separated into two distinct seasons: the “warm” season, which runs from December to May. And the “cool” season, which runs from June to November.
The island has a subtropical climate. However, there is some variance, primarily due to ocean currents. The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depends on what you want to see and do. An itinerary focusing on wildlife will be different from an itinerary focusing on relaxation.
If you have a particular desire for things to do or animals that you want to see, it’s essential to plan your trip and observe what time of year is best for those activities.
When to visit Galapagos and Why
When should you visit the Galapagos Islands? This is a question that prospective visitors frequently ask about planning a Galapagos vacation.
However, the answer is more complicated than it might seem. As the answer varies depending on your interests. Certain months are best suited for you if you’re looking for whale-watching or sea turtle sightings.
If you’d like to see giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, your timing should be based on when these animals are most likely to be seen in large numbers.
This Galapagos Islands month-by-month guide will assist you in determining the popular time to visit. The months are divided into weather and year-round temperature, wildlife, and prices.
By looking at the information in these sections together, you will determine which of these best months would be suited for your Galapagos Islands vacation.
MONTH OF JANUARY
Weather: January falls squarely in the middle of the warm season on Galapagos Island. The months of January to April are considered the warmest months on the island. This is considered the best time to visit because that’s when you can do most of your activities.
Wildlife: Many of the Galapagos’ most iconic land birds are most active in January. This includes seeing waved albatross and frigate birds. Not only you can sight some land Iguanas in the surroundings. But also marine Iguanas as well. The advantage of going in January is that you can see the migration of the Blue-footed Boobies.
Price: Because of Christmas and New Year, the Galapagos Islands have a mini peak season in late December, with people having extra time off to take vacations. This lasts until the beginning of January and frequently into the middle of the month.
MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Weather: During February, the rainy season is expected to begin. During this time of the year, it can rain on any day. However, it is not likely to rain all day. And the ocean is calm this month.
Wildlife: February will have calmer seas, making for smooth sailing. And warm temperatures for snorkeling with baby sea lions and swimming with Galapagos penguins. There will be more active marine life in the month of February. You will get to have the best experience and a trip of a lifetime with hammerhead sharks and manta rays.
Price: Because February is not considered a high season in the Galapagos Islands, travel demand is likely to be lower, and expenses will also be lower. The low season will allow you to save money on food, tours, and accommodation.
MONTH OF MARCH
Weather: March weather in the Galapagos Islands can be challenging to predict. It is the wet season, and it could rain throughout the day or night. There are also many windy days with cold temperatures rising into the low 80s (°F).
Wildlife: The island of Española, located in the Northern part of the Galapagos archipelago, is home to some of the largest colonies of waved albatross in the world. They breed here in March, and this is a highlight of Galapagos Island excursions.
Price: The best time to book is in March. Because it is the rainiest month of the year. And some tours will reduce their expenditures on hotel rooms and cruises as they need more business.
MONTH OF APRIL
Weather: One of the best things about visiting the Galapagos Islands in April is that the rainy season is finally over. Leaving you with clear days of beautiful weather. This is an excellent opportunity to explore where some of the best snorkeling in the archipelago can be found.
Wildlife: The season for the giant tortoise hatching is in April when those tortoises emerge from their eggs. And head into their new environment.
Price: April in Galapagos can be great. It’s the shoulder season, so the prices are lower. You’ll probably see a lot of wildlife. In short, everything is ideal for budget Galapagos travelers.
MONTH OF MAY
Weather: The Galapagos weather in May is a great time to visit since it falls in the dry season. The weather is good, with little rain. Also, January through Late May are the driest months. And maybe the best time to visit North Seymour Island. Especially if you don’t mind the warmer and wetter season.
Wildlife: You could be lucky enough to watch the Blue-footed booby performing its courtship dance. The Blue-footed booby is a species of seabird native to the Galapagos Islands.
Price: May is a “shoulder month” that falls between the low and high seasons, with fewer visits than earlier in the year. You can get the best deal at this time of the month.
MONTH OF JUNE
Weather: With the calendar reaching June, Galapagos weather will finally cool down after nearly three months of eternal heat. It’s warm enough that swimming is an option. But the air remains cool enough that the sun’s rays don’t burn. June has cooler waters than the rest of the year.
Wildlife: During June, flightless cormorantsnest on Fernandina Island. This means you can see the unique nesting behavior of these birds by walking the beaches near that island and passing by the Mangrove forest.
Price: In the Galapagos Islands, the Festival of the Sun and The Feast of Corpus Christi are celebrated in June. It is unquestionably peak season. This implies that boat storage is limited. As a result, taking a Galapagos Islands cruise or visiting the islands, in general, can be more expensive at this best time of year.
MONTH OF JULY
Weather: The temperature in the Galapagos in July is substantially cooler than in previous months, especially in June. The skies are generally cloudier and expect rougher seas. Air temperatures have dropped from recent highs. But tourists may still expect a comfortable average of 26 degrees Celsius.
Wildlife: If you’re traveling to Galapagos in July, you might be lucky enough to see whales and dolphins in the islands’ ocean waters.
Price: Tourists often come during this month because school is out for summer. And since more people are looking for tickets on Galapagos cruises and tours. July is one of the busiest months for tourism in the Galapagos Islands.
MONTH OF AUGUST
Weather: When you visit the Galapagos in August, you have the chance to see a landscape unlike any other. The weather is much more relaxed and drier than in additional months. The landscape can be more like a desert than an island group near the equator.
Wildlife: The Galapagos wildlife had a busy month in August. California sea lions give birth to pups on the Galapagos Islands in June, July, and August. It was interesting to see the babies grow from tiny pups to bigger, cuter pups.
Price: There is a high level of demand in August. It is also possible that this is not the most cost-effective time of year to visit the Galapagos Islands.
MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
Weather: September is one of the coolest months in the Galapagos. But that doesn’t mean it’s cold. There are sunny days to go swimming and snorkeling. However, the sun can be intense during the day. So it’s helpful to have some sunscreen with you and sunglasses.
Wildlife: One of the biggest reasons to visit the Galapagos Islands in September is that the wildlife includes the best chances of seeing dolphins and whales in the area. September is the last month of the year to witness humpback whales. Before they move back to cooler regions.
Photo by Donnie Sexton
Price: One of the best parts about going to the Galapagos Islands in September is the low season. There are not as many tourists. So you can go to the top of a mountain and see giant tortoises without waiting in line.
MONTH OF OCTOBER
Weather: The temperature in the Galapagos in October is slightly warmer season than in September. But still chilly compared to the rest of the year. The Galapagos Islands are best visited in October if you prefer cooler temperatures.
Wildlife: Although October is a good time to visit the Galapagos, some things are to be aware of. The water lions and their pups may be many in the calm water and on the beaches. The puppies enjoy playing with people when snorkeling, but they must respect the protective sea lion parents.
Price: Because October is a low season month in the Galapagos Islands, costs are often lower. This means that there are lower prices in demand, and if you shop about, you can find some fantastic offers.
MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Weather: The rainy season in the Ecuadorian Amazon begins around the end of February and lasts until November. It’s the perfect month to go on a cruise and experience everything that these magical islands offer. You will experience cold weather in November. So if you’re into warmer temperatures then this month is not for you.
Wildlife: One of the best parts of a trip to the islands is that you’ll have a chance to see sea lions not only on land but also in their natural habitat at play. In November, the best time to see them is when their pups start to frolic in the ocean.
Price: The Galapagos Islands have been a tourist attraction for a long time. But few tourists are present in November. This means the tour guides and business owners are less busy and more generous in their prices to tourists. As a result, you can bargain with them to get an even better price.
MONTH OF DECEMBER
Weather: In terms of weather, December in Galapagos is ideal. The average temperature in the Galapagos typically ranges from a high of 85 degrees to a low 70s, with very little rain and clear skies. The cold water makes the sea temperature drop.
Wildlife: Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch in December. An exciting Galapagos Islands highlight. On Isabela Island, you can be lucky enough to view baby tortoises. Meanwhile, Galapagos green sea turtles are busy this month, marking the beginning of their mating season.
Price: The busiest month in the Galapagos Islands is December since it’s the holiday season. The Galapagos cruise boats and hotels become highly crowded as the Christmas holidays approach for much of the Western world. Due to the great demand, prices are inflated during this time. People think that it’s not a good idea to visit Galapagos this month.
