The Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago is famous for its rich and abundant ecosystem. For many years, the islands remained untouched by humanity, allowing wildlife to evolve in isolation and creating a travel destination with a truly unique array of natural habitats.
Although you can travel to the Galapagos Islands any time of the year, knowing the best time to visit can make for a truly wonderful experience. Some of the wildlife the islands are famous for is only viewable at certain times of the year, which can be a key factor for tourists when it comes to when to book their trip.
As for the weather, the seasons in Galapagos are divided into cool and dry, which runs from June to November, and warm and wet, from December to May. Which season you choose to visit will depend on the weather conditions you think are best to explore the islands, so understanding the climate of the area throughout the year is important to many people.
Regardless of the time of your visit, it's important to keep in mind that the government limits the number of visitors entering the islands at any given time, in order to preserve the wildlife. Therefore, you will need to book your trip at least several months in advance.
From average weather to cultural festivals and events, here's our month-by-month guide on the best time to go to the Galapagos.
January
In January, the Galapagos Islands enjoy a tropical climate. On land, the average daily temperature is 30°C, while sea temperatures hover around 25°C. Afternoon showers are frequent, receiving an average rainfall of 2.5 inches during the entire month.
January is one of the best times to visit the Galapagos Islands thanks to its excellent temperatures and the vast opportunities for fun activities like birdwatching, hiking, snorkelling and diving. In addition, most of the marine species are active during this time of the year, which means you will have a bigger chance of seeing endemic birds and iguanas.
Since January is part of the peak season in the Galapagos, accommodation and flights can get very expensive. Planning in advance will help you to find the best deals and ensure that you get to visit when you want to.
February
February is the carnival season in Ecuador, although sometimes, the celebration falls during the first week of March. But if you happen to visit the Galapagos Islands during Ecuador's carnival celebration, you'll get the chance to experience fun, colourful parades and feast on delicious local foods.
The Galapagos Islands climate in February is quite humid, so expect sunny weather with daily temperatures averaging 26°C to 30°C. This warm weather and the carnival mean that it’s still peak season on the islands, so you can expect the cost of flights and accommodation to increase.
February is an ideal time for watersports activities across the island, such as sailing and diving. It is also the time of the year when penguins will return to the island, and iguanas and flamingos will start their nesting season.
So, plan your trip as early as possible and schedule your trip around the beginning of the month.
March
March is an excellent time to visit the Galapagos Islands, mainly due to the warm weather and excellent opportunities for snorkelling at this time of the year. It's also the month when waved albatross will return to Espanola Island, making it a key time for spotting this impressive bird species.
Since March is part of the peak rainy season in the Galapagos Islands, prepare for the rain showers as you explore the islands. However, the Galapagos Islands weather in March can also feel very hot and humid, as the highest average daily temperature is 31°C, while the average minimum temperature is 24°C.
Since March is part of the rainy season, not too many tourists come to the islands at this point of the year. Therefore, this is a great time to find good deals.
April
Since April is the end of the peak Galapagos rainy season, it's the perfect time to schedule your trip. More and more tourists start to visit the island at this time of year, so it’s best to travel at the start of the month if you’re after a quieter atmosphere during your break.
April is an ideal time to go island hopping around the Galapagos and visit the beautiful islands of Isabela, Genovesa, and Española, where you'll witness a variety of wildlife species and island scenery. Aside from a variety of activities on land, the warm weather provides brilliant conditions for diving and experiencing the vibrant marine life underwater.
The weather is pleasant for the entire month of April, with daily temperatures averaging at 26°C and water temperatures at 24°C. And as the dry season approaches, the humidity will start to decrease, which is great news for travellers who don’t cope as well with oppressive heat.
May
If you travel to the Galapagos Islands in May, expect variable weather conditions since it's that time of the year when the weather transitions from warm and wet to cool and dry. The islands are still lush and green, ideal for witnessing wildlife species like land iguanas and giant tortoises.
In May, the skies of the Galapagos Islands will become cloudier, with temperatures dropping to 28°C, which is still more than comfortable for visitors to roam around the archipelago. The rainy season will also be over, with the islands experiencing 0.75 inches average rainfall for the entire month, so make sure to get out and spend as much time on the beach as possible. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!
June
June is the start of the ‘cool’ season in the Galapagos Islands, meaning that the islands experience much less humidity and lower temperatures than earlier in the year. Because of this, June is often thought of as the best time to visit the Galapagos if you want to enjoy outdoor activities, since the weather is not too hot.
Throughout the month, the average daily temperature in the Galapagos is around 21°C to 25°C, with water temperatures averaging at 25°C, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Since June falls in the dry season, there will only be slight rainfall over the month, meaning that your plans are unlikely to be affected by wet weather.
Because of this good weather, June is part of the peak season for tourism in the Galapagos Islands and one of the busiest months. Prices tend to be on the higher side, so it's a good idea to plan your trip as early as possible.
July
July is a very busy time in the Galapagos Islands, with thousands of visitors coming to enjoy the cool but sunny climate and enjoy the range of wildlife on the islands and surrounding their shores. It's the perfect time to explore the archipelago on boat tours, as the sea around the Galapagos will be incredibly calm and flat.
In July, the Galapagos Islands weather is pleasant, characterized by slighting colder sea temperatures and a drop in air temperature. As one of the mildest months of the year, it's a great time for sightseeing, hiking, and wildlife spotting.
Since July is one of the busiest months in the Galapagos, expect prices to be on the higher side. It’s the start of the school summer holidays in many countries, so you’ll see more families around the islands as the month progresses.
August
August is widely considered the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands for many reasons - the weather is excellent, marine life is abundant, and it’s right in the middle of the summer holidays for most people. Temperatures average at around 21°C during the day, and sea temperatures are at their lowest of the whole year, averaging around 20°C which will feel pretty cool if you go swimming.
August is also the perfect time for wildlife lovers to visit the Galapagos Islands. It’s right in the middle of the whale watching season, dolphins and sea lions are often spotted near the shore, and Galapagos hawks and giant tortoises tend to be seen a lot around the islands at this time of year, so it's an exciting time to discover the diverse wildlife species that the islands are known for.
If you would prefer to experience the Galapagos Islands in a milder climate, August would be the perfect month to visit. Most of the tourists who come to the Galapagos this month are families, and there are lots of organised trips and tours available at this time of year to meet this demand.
September
September is the best time to go to the Galapagos if you want to enjoy the islands without the crowds and take advantage of lower prices. The wildlife is also very active during this month, with seal pups joining the colonies on the coast of Isabela Island, humpback whales in the water around the islands, and lots of penguins on the beaches.
September is a relatively cold month in the Galapagos Islands, although it's still pleasant enough to enjoy long hikes and sightseeing. Daily temperatures hover between 19°C to 21°C, while the average sea temperature peaks at 21°C. September also marks the start of the low season for tourism, so you can take advantage of lower prices when you visit during this time of the year.
October
The seasons start to change in October in the Galapagos Islands, making it the perfect time to witness dramatic sunsets and beautiful sunrises around the archipelago. The sea temperature starts to warm up at this time of year, so the sea around the islands gets busy with marine creatures, making it an ideal time for snorkelling.
With this increase in temperatures in October comes an increase in the likelihood of rain, so bear this in mind before planning your trip. It’s usually around 24°C during the day, with humidity starting to creep up as the month progresses. October is part of the low season on the Galapagos Islands, so it's the perfect time to visit if you want quieter beaches, hotels and tours around the archipelago.
November
November is a quiet month for tourism in the Galapagos Islands, which means you can explore without the tourist crowds. This makes it a wonderful time to go sightseeing and island hopping, as you can explore to your heart's content without worrying about sharing the islands with lots of other visitors.
If you want to visit at the quietest point, aim for right in the middle of the month. As the end of November draws near, crowds start to increase because of the approach of Christmas, but if you visit just before this you’ll be able to snag the best deals for flights, tours and accommodation.
The Galapagos Islands enter the winter season in November, with temperatures hovering at 26°C. The sea temperatures start to increase as humidity rises, with an average water temperature of 22°C which will be very pleasant for swimming.
December
Offering a perfect blend of abundant wildlife and warm weather, December is a beautiful time to holiday in the Galapagos. The air gets warmer as temperatures rise to an average high of 27°C, and sea temperatures average at around 22°C and provide great conditions for swimming and snorkelling.
December is the start of another peak season in the Galapagos Islands, as many travellers from the northern hemisphere come to enjoy tropical weather in the middle of their winter season. You can expect to share the islands with plenty of other tourists, although the protective measures in place in the Galapagos means that nowhere is ever really overcrowded.
Summary
The Galapagos Islands are a great destination to visit all year round. However, exploring the islands in a particular month comes with its own special highlights, such as peak seasons for spotting certain wildlife or optimal conditions for exploring the impressive marine habitats that surround many of the islands. Whatever time of year you come, you’re promised unique scenery, incredible views, and the chance to see some of the most impressive conservation efforts in the world in action.
If you’re planning on visiting the Galapagos Islands and are looking for a tour provider that promises an exceptional and meaningful experience of this unique part of the world, get in touch with us at Touring Galapagos and find out more about the cruises and holiday packages we offer.