Best time to visit Galápagos
Unlike most other wildlife destinations, the animals here can be seen year round, with few migratory species and no need to wander off in search of waterholes or food. Their behaviour does vary though, so you may want to take this into consideration – whether you want to play with penguins, swim with baby sea lions, see tortoises hatching or sea turtles laying their eggs – there are wildlife spectacles year-round in the archipelago.
Seasons are split into cool and dry (June - November) and warm and wet (December - June), with the warmer season being the best time to visit Galápagos for warmer, calmer seas and good underwater visibility. Showers tend to be short, so you can make the most of the heat on the beach or the deck of your boat.
Seasons are split into cool and dry (June - November) and warm and wet (December - June), with the warmer season being the best time to visit Galápagos for warmer, calmer seas and good underwater visibility. Showers tend to be short, so you can make the most of the heat on the beach or the deck of your boat.
The Galápagos Islands,
month by month
Our Galapagos Holidays
Galapagos cruises
Cruise the Galapagos Islands on sailing boats and yachts
From
£2538
8 days
ex flights
Galapagos land based adventure holiday
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
From
£2492 to £3133
10 days
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Budget Ecuador and Galapagos holiday, 23 days
Experience Ecuador & Galapagos in our complete classic tour
From
US $3779 to US $6249
23 days
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Galapagos activity holiday
Trek, bike, kayak and snorkel on this fantastic adventure
From
£2595
7 days
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Galapagos adventure holiday
An active Galapagos Islands adventure holiday
From
£4300
10 days
ex flights
Galapagos cruise options, tailor made
The greatest wildlife experiences tailor made
From
£4800
8 days
ex flights
The Galápagos Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
18
28
178
FEB
19
30
146
MAR
18
30
170
APR
19
30
156
MAY
18
28
79
JUN
19
27
106
JUL
17
25
115
AUG
16
24
80
SEP
15
24
86
OCT
15
24
67
NOV
16
25
72
DEC
16
26
130
PLAY
Our top Galapagos Holiday
Galapagos cruises
Cruise the Galapagos Islands on sailing boats and yachts
From
£2538
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Daily departures throughout the year.
Daily departures throughout the year.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Galapagos or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Responsible Travel recommends
Tim Winkworth, from our supplier the Family Adventure Company, recommends timing your visit to coincide with the courtship season of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. The exact timing varies from island to island, so check with your holiday company: “You’re not just seeing one or two birds; you are walking round, having to step off the path to walk around them in massive numbers as they're doing their mating rituals. The boobies are wobbling from left to right, like an accentuated penguin, and the frigate birds are inflating the red sac on their neck, blowing it up and making a noise (in Mar-Apr). They’re doing something that is key to their life, and you're within it, not on the outside of it. I saw all these amazing animals - but what seals all my memories is sitting and watching two blue-footed boobies mimicking each other hopping from one foot to the other, one foot to the other (in Apr-Jul). It's lovely - it's not all big, powerful stuff; it creates a warm feeling!”
Wildlife events in Galápagos
Humpback whales
One of the archipelago’s few migratory species is the humpback whale. These can be seen in the surrounding ocean from June-September.
Baby sea lions
Baby sea lions are some of the most awesomely adorable creatures on earth. To see really tiny ones, the best time to visit is in August, when they are born. Fancy swimming with them? Then dive into the sea in November, when the playful pups are getting their sea legs.
Green turtles
If reptiles are more your thing, the best time to visit Galápagos is at the beginning of the year to see huge green turtles laying their eggs on the beaches. They’ll hatch around two months after being laid, with tiny babies less than 5cm long. In December-March, you can see baby giant tortoises hatching.
More about Galapagos
Our Galapagos travel guide explores this volcano-scarred archipelago 1,000 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the middle of the Pacific, famous for being one of the most stunning places to see wildlife in the world.
Plan where to go in the Galápagos, and learn what you’re likely to see and do while there.
As well as sailing around the myriad, fauna filled fantasy-like islands, there are so many things to do in the Galapagos.
Cruising is one of the best ways to explore the Galápagos, and everything from yachts to small cruise ships sail between the volcanic islands of this UNESCO-listed archipelago.
Land based Galápagos tours are an affordable and authentic way to explore the islands.
We all turn into children on these stupendous islands, and so travelling in the Galapagos with kids is a truly magical experience, for all the family.
Probably one of the most Q&A’d destinations because, for many, it is a trip of a lifetime, and so we have lots of Galapagos travel advice for you.
One of the most eco aware places in the world, responsible tourism in Galapagos is vital.
Find all of our Galapagos guides in one place, from wildlife to luxury, or muti activity holidays and more!
