The Galápagos Islands can be visited year round. There are 2 main seasons: the hot / wet season from December to May with warm air and sea temperatures and occasional heavy rainfall; and the misty (garua) season from June to November with cooler air and sea temperatures and more wind. The seasonal variations affect the wildlife cycles in different ways.
With the land based animals tending to breed in the warm season, and those that get their food from the sea tending to breed in the garua season, there is always something interesting to see. Timings may vary from year to year and island to island but below is an idea of the some of the highlights of a Galápagos year.
Galapágos Calendar
January
The hot / rainy season becomes established. Air and water temperatures rise. ‘Spring’ arrives with the rain and green shoots appear even in arid areas. Land birds nest, land (Isabela)and marine (Espanola) iguana mating season starts. Green turtles start arriving to lay eggs.
February
Flamingos start nesting on Floreana, marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz and Bahama pintail ducks start breeding. Sperm whales and occasionally blue whales may be seen off the west coasts of Isabella and Fernandina.
March
Hot and humid. Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina. Frigate bird mating season starts. Late in the month Waved Albatross arrive on Espanola.
April
Large numbers of Waved Albatross arrive on Espanola and start their noisy courtship ritual. Green turtle and land iguana eggs start to hatch. The last giant tortoises hatch.
May
Waved Albatross on Espanola start laying their eggs. Sea turtles hatching on Espanola, Floreana and Santiago, and marine iguanas hatching on Santa Cruz. Galápagos penguins active around Bartholome. The sea lion and fur seals mating season starts, running from May to December. As there is a 12 month gestation newborn pups also arrive during this period.
June
The garua season starts. The air and sea temperatures start to cool, south-east trade winds return and currents become a bit stronger. The nesting season of the giant tortoises starts. Humpback whales may be seen, as may migrant birds flying north.
July
Breeding season for blue footed boobies on Espanola as albatross fledglings start to be born. Flightless cormorants start courtship rituals on Fernandina. Whales and dolphins may be observed of the west coast of Isabela.
August
Oceans can be choppy. Migrant shore birds start to arrive. Mating season
for Galápagos Hawks on Espanola and Santiago.
September
Air and sea temperatures at their lowest. Galápagos Penguins breeding especially around Bartholome although can occur all year. Manta Rays seen off east coast of Isabela. Height of the sea lion mating season, with rival males fighting for control of harems.
October
Weather can be mixed. Giant tortoises continue to lay eggs. Blue footed boobie chicks can be seen on Espanola and Isabela.
November
Water and air temperature begins to rise and the winds decrease. Can be some jellyfish. Good visibility for snorkelling – can be especially fun with sea lion pups.
December
Hot / rainy season begins. Air and sea temperatures continue to rise. The
mist clears. Islands begin to green over as the rain falls. Green sea turtles start to mate. Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch.
December-May (hot/wet season)
June-November (overcast/stiff breeze season)
