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.
Galapagos Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
22
30
50
FEB
24
30
65
MAR
24
31
85
APR
24
31
35
MAY
22
26
16
JUN
21
26
2
JUL
19
26
4
AUG
19
26
5
SEP
19
26
7
OCT
20
27
7
NOV
21
28
5
DEC
22
29
7
Galapagos land based adventure vacation
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
From
US $3389 to US $4560
10 days
ex flights
Ecuador & Galapagos tailor made tour
Private in-depth tour of Ecuador and The Galapagos
From
£6800 to £7900
22 days
ex flights
Galapagos cruise plus Ecuador and Peru
Combine two truly outstanding places in South America
From
US $9660
14 days
ex flights
Galapagos and Machu Picchu vacation
Cusco, Short Inca Trail & Galapagos Island Hopping
From
£3595
14 days
ex flights
Luxury Galapagos Islands cruise, 10 days
A fantastic, in-depth Galapagos experience
From
£5149 to £7449
10 days
ex flights
Galapagos, month by month
Our top trip
Galapagos cruises
Sail in a charming red schooner
From
US $3300
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 wildlife or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS
Andrés Salazar from our tour supplier 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.”
"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.”
WILDLIFE EVENTS IN GALÁPAGOS
One of the archipelago’s few migratory species is the humpback whale. These can be seen in the surrounding ocean from June to September.
Baby sea lions are the most awesomely adorable creatures on earth. To see really tiny ones, visit 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.
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 to March, you can see baby giant tortoises hatching.