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When to visit the Galápagos: A year in the life of the archipelago
In the Galápagos there's a sunny/showery (Dec-May) and cool/dry (Jun-Nov) season. But rains are rarely persistent in the former and average temperatures seldom drop below 20c in the latter.
So as much as weather patterns, it's the wildlife activity that marks out the passage of time. As you'll see, there's a sweet spot for mating dances, whale watching and snorkelling with sea lions.
The new year begins with sunshine. The fog is long gone, mornings tend to be sunny and average temperatures can reach the mid-twenties, rising steadily through to April.
Green sea turtles, the only of their kind to nest here, start to lay their eggs under the cover of darkness. They can often be seen on beaches, waiting for the cover of nightfall to bury their treasure.
Marine iguanas are the world's only sea-going lizard. Those found around Española and Floreana take on bright red/green color during the mating season between January and March.
American flamingos, slightly smaller but no less colorful than their Caribbean cousins, begin to nest on Floreana in February and March. They are typically found in brackish lagoons.
February and March are very comfortable times to be out swimming and snorkelling in the water without a wetsuit, as sea temperatures peak and winds die right down.
Ever thought about snorkeling or kayaking next to wild penguins? The endemic Galápagos species, the only to nest in the tropics, are active in the waters around Isabela in March.
Short, sharp showers, which do little to disrupt your travels, keep the archipelago refreshed. The landscapes will become increasingly lush over the first few months of the year.
As a side note, on the mainland the Andean landscapes of Ecuador and Peru are lush and beautiful after the rainy season. Excellent conditions for a walking and wildlife combo with the Galápagos.
Waved albatrosses perform one of the most complex courtship rituals of all creatures, involving much circling, waddling and clacking of bills. The performances begin in April on Española.
Land iguanas are one of the most distinctive but, as competition for food increases with domesticated animals, sadly now most threatened species. Precious eggs begin to hatch on Isabela in April.
Marine iguana eggs start to hatch on Santa Cruz in May. Marine iguanas often sun themselves on the rocks in the morning, then slip into the sea to feed, slowing their heartbeat to half pace.
One of the most colorful and comical spectacles begins on North Seymour in May and June, as blue-footed boobies perform mating dances. Their magnificent feet are, naturally, the star of the show.
From June, the ‘garúa’ misty cooler season settles in until November. Hiking in the highlands and along the beaches is a therefore a little more comfortable in the second half of the year.
With the dry season around the corner, giant tortoises begin their slow and steady ‘migration’ back up to the misty highlands, where foggy conditions will ensure a more plentiful supply of food.
The latter half of the year is your best bet for whales and dolphins. Humpbacks are particularly prevalent around Isabela and Fernandina from July, as the Cromwell current draws up cooler water.
From July and August, the cool season brings lower sea temperatures but additional nutrients in the water. Don a wetsuit and brave the water - the marine life is at its most abundant and varied.
Cuteness alert! The year’s first sea lion pups begin to be born in August. The pup spends its first week developing a distinctive call with its mother, on who it'll depend for the first year.
September is the 'low' season for the Galápagos - seas are at their choppiest and some boats go into dry dock for repairs. It's a time for some Galapagueños to take a bit of a breather.
But September can still be a good time to visit, not least because penguins and sea lions are active in the cooler waters. Mating season for the latter takes place between July and December.
Those elaborate mating dances eventually make for some seriously fluffy blue-footed booby chicks. Española and Isabela are the places to see them being raised in October.
One of the great wildlife experiences you can have in South America, actually probably anywhere, is to snorkel with playful, curious and fearless sea lion pups, active in the waters in November
The latter part of the year is also the time to see adorable fur seal pups at their most active and playful. Santiago and Genovesa are generally the best spots to see them on a wildlife cruise.
November into December is a time of transition. The dry 'guara' season gives way to the sun and showers of the rainy season. Temperatures creep up and visibility in the water increases.
The fruits of the albatrosses' courtship rituals are reaped in December as the new generation are born. They'll soon head off to raise their chicks in the waters between here and Colombia/Peru.
The final highlight of the year is the arrival of new giant tortoises. As the rainy season arrives, some adults will begin their journey down to lowland areas where food is more abundant.
Hopefully you have a better idea of when to visit the Galápagos Islands. But we're here to answer your questions and help steer you through the tricky process of choosing your cruise.
Whether you're an active couple, a parent with teenagers, an amateur naturalist or a keen photographer, there's a right cruise for you and a wrong cruise. It's our job to help you pick the right one.
Our trips can then pair your small-ship cruise with Machu Picchu and Peru, with Ecuador's Amazon and cloud forest or with time staying on a Galápagos Island, for a deeper immersion.
