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Best time to see wildlife in the Galapagos

The animals are the main event in the Galápagos Islands, and let’s be honest they’re most of the support acts as well. Our guide to the best time to see wildlife in the Galápagos outlines what you can expect month by month, picking out some of the key wildlife events in the Galápagos calendar. We’ve also put together a handy graphic to tell you immediately what animals you can see, when.

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BEST TIME TO SEE WILDLIFE IN 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.

The behaviour of wildlife on Galápagos does vary, 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 watch sea turtles laying their eggs – there are wildlife spectacles year-round in the archipelago. Seasons are split into cool and dry (Jun-Nov) and warm and wet (Dec-May), with the warmer season being the best time to visit Galápagos for calmer seas and good underwater visibility. Rain showers tend to be short, so you can make the most of the heat on the beach or the deck of your boat.

Call us for the best time to go on a Galapagos wildlife Holiday

WILDLIFE EVENTS IN GALÁPAGOS

When to see blue-footed boobie mating dance in the Galápagos

June to August is the mating season for the Galápagos’ blue-footed boobies. The mating dance of the blue-footed booby is a sweet and amusing ritual which begins with the male bird presenting the female with a gift, such as a stone or a stick. He will then parade around, showing off his colourful feet while giving a high-pitched whistle. If his affections are reciprocated, the male and female boobies will then share a dance together. This is one of the most amazing spectacles in the Galápagos Islands.

When to see humpback whales in the Galápagos

Humpback whales can be seen in the ocean surrounding the Galápagos from June to September. They are renowned for their acrobatic displays and can regularly be observed breaching the water surface. One of the archipelago’s few migratory species, humpbacks are joined by blue, minke and sei whales. Sperm whales, killer whales, and bottlenose dolphins can be seen all year-round.

When to see giant tortoises hatching in the Galápagos

In December to March, you can see baby giant tortoises hatching in the Galápagos. There are some 20,000 tortoises in the archipelago, with different subspecies depending on which island you’re on. Many of our holidays feature a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre on Santa Cruz, which is the best place to understand the relationship these fascinating and charismatic creatures have with the islands, and the fight to save them from extinction.

When to see baby sea lions in the Galápagos

Visit the Galápagos in August to see adorable baby sea lions just after they’ve been born. Or, consider visiting in November, when you can snorkel and swim alongside the playful pups as they’re getting their sea legs.

When to see turtles laying their eggs in the Galápagos

Green sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of the Galápagos islands between December and March. The hatchlings emerge about two months later and make their way down to the sea, a magical sight. Females that survive into adulthood will one day return to the very same beach to lay their own eggs.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS

Andrés Salazar from our partner Rebecca Adventure Travel:
"Some of the wildlife moments that I'll cherish for life include swimming and snorkelling with the ever playful sea lions, getting a front seat view of the courtship rituals of albatross and boobies, and watching the marine iguanas take a leap of faith as they go for a dive. For me, the best time to watch wildlife underwater is during September, October and November whereas on land, the best time to see animals in action is April and May.”