Best Time to Go to the Galapagos Islands
A trip to the Galapagos Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, so you’ll want to get the trip planning right to make it perfect.
The first step is to decide WHEN is the best time to go to Galapagos. There is no right or wrong answer, it all comes down to your personal choice.
Yet, while the Galapagos Islands are considered to be a great year-round travel destination, there are important considerations to make.
Your preferred best month to go to Galapagos is going to depend on the weather, wildlife behavior, trip budget, and the activities you’d like to experience.
So, keep reading for everything you need to consider when deciding the best month for your trip to Galapagos. We’ll walk you through each important step, so you’ll be ready to make the big decision.
To keep things simple, we’ve divided this blog into the 7 most important considerations. Use the following links to jump into each section.
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Weather
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Wildlife
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Diving
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Snorkeling
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos to Avoid Seasickness
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Cheap Prices
- Best Time to Go to Galapagos to Avoid the Crowds
Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Weather
Let’s face it, bad weather can ruin a vacation anywhere in the world, so it needs to be a key consideration in trip planning.
Although Galapagos Islands weather does vary each month, there is no “best” or “worst” time for Galapagos travel per se.
It’s true to say that the Galapagos Islands are a fabulous year-round destination, with a pleasant climate throughout the year. Even better, there are no Galapagos weather extremes to deal with. No snow or frost, no hurricanes, no extreme hot or cold temperatures.
That said there are subtle but important weather variations to consider before deciding which month to go to Galapagos.
When is the Rainy Season in the Galapagos?
The rainy season in Galapagos is better known as the “WARM & WET Season”, running from December/January through to May.
What to expect in the Galapagos Warm and Wet Season? Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and the occasional rain shower.
So, you'll probably go home with a healthy tan, but sun protection is a must to prevent sunburn. Rain gear is also recommended for island excursions, especially up in the island highlands.
When is the Dry Season in the Galapagos?
The Galapagos dry Season is also referred to as the “COOL & DRY season”, running from approximately May/June to December.
The Cool & Dry Galapagos months bring cloudier skies, cooler temperatures on land and at sea, and a drier climate.
Many visitors find this season to be more pleasant for excursions. Sun protection is still important – even on cloudy days it's easy to burn your skin this close to the equator.
A wetsuit is recommended for snorkeling as the sea temperatures drop. It's usually safe to leave your rain gear at home, there is little or no rainfall during this Galapagos climate season.
What are the Hottest Months in the Galapagos?
March and April boast the warmest average temperatures at the Galapagos Islands, closely followed by the months of January and March.
During these months expect average daily temperatures of 30 to 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit).
What are the Rainiest Months in the Galapagos?
Surprisingly, again March and April come out as the top Galapagos months for rainfall. That said, visitors should expect occasional, heavy showers rather than constant downpours.
So, which is the best month to go to the Galapagos for the weather? In truth, both Galapagos weather seasons can be great times to visit. There truly is no best or worst season, it all comes down to personal preference. Do you prefer hot, sunny days, or cooler, more comfortable temperatures?
Whichever month you choose to travel you'll have an unforgettable Galapagos trip!
Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Wildlife
Wildlife Watching is usually the #1 reason you’ll be planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands. It’s a bucket-list vacation, so you don’t want to miss any of the best wildlife highlights.
Is there a best month to go to the Galapagos for wildlife? Not really. But, there are different wildlife nesting, mating, hatching, and parenting behaviors of different species in each month of the year to consider.
So, while each month at Galapagos is slightly different, it’s impossible to say that any single month is the best. Whichever month you choose to visit the archipelago, you are likely to tick off most of the main Galapagos birds and animals from your wish list.
What we can do though, is generalize a little between the two Galapagos weather seasons, which have implications for animal behavior.
Galapagos Wildlife in the Warm & Wet Season
The Warm & Wet Season is generally considered best for Galapagos animals & birds ON LAND.
The rains are very welcome for wildlife in the Galapagos highlands, bringing a dramatic transformation to their habitat. Wet Galapagos weather produces lush green vegetation - the perfect conditions for land species such as the Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Finches, Land Iguanas & other land birds who find food sources plentiful in this season.
Galapagos Wildlife in the Cool & Dry Season
In contrast, the Cool & Dry Season is best for MARINE LIFE. This is the time for the Galapagos marine species to shine.
The cold Humboldt Current brings rich nutrients from the Antarctic to Galapagos waters, converting the ocean into a feast for marine mammals and birds. These are optimal conditions for Galapagos Sealions, Marine iguanas, Sharks, and Seabirds like the blue-footed booby and Waved Albatross. Migratory whale species are also attracted to the Galapagos islands to feed.
So, which is the best month to go to Galapagos for wildlife? Again, it depends on personal preference. Most Galapagos wildlife is active year-round, so each and every different month is a treat.
For further reading, we have written a separate detailed blog for each month of the year at the Galapagos Islands. Just click on each month below to learn more about wildlife behavior highlights.
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
The only important Galapagos Creature that is not a year-round resident is the Waved Albatross. They are found nesting at Suarez Point on Española Island from April through to December. Whale sharks, Manta Rays, and Hammerheads also have their specific seasons, although this is only important for divers (see next section).
All other wildlife can be spotted throughout the Galapagos year.
Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Diving
With the largest registered shark biomass on the planet, scuba diving at Galapagos is truly world-class.
There’s great underwater action to be had at the archipelago all year round, but there are also specific seasons for sighting some of the larger species.
December to May is Manta Ray season up around Darwin and Wolf Islands to the far northwest of the islands.
While Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks may be seen anytime, the spectacular, larger schools prefer warmer seas from February to June.
Another Galapagos diving favorite is the majestic Whale Shark. Their season typically runs from July to November, but you’ll need to take a specialist Galapagos Dive Cruise to see them.
Any time of year is generally good to dive with other Galapagos species such as Marine Turtles, Galapagos Sharks, Reef Sharks, Sealions, Tropical Fish, and more.
Best Month to Go to Galapagos for Snorkeling
Galapagos snorkeling is another popular activity to be enjoyed year-round. Snorkel sites are open throughout the year, and marine life never rests.
The Warm and Wet Season (December to May) promises warmer Galapagos Sea temperatures and better underwater visibility.
While, during the Cool and Dry Season, marine species may be more active, but the ocean is colder so you may need to use a wetsuit.
Best Time to Go to Galapagos to Avoid Seasickness
For those of us without sea legs, another important trip planning consideration is how to avoid seasickness.
At Galapagos, there is no perfect month to avoid seasickness altogether. There will always be random weather patterns and currents to contend with.
As a very general guideline, experts say that Galapagos seas are somewhat calmer from January to June, and at their roughest in September and October.
Sea sickness can also depend on the ocean swell. One experienced Galapagos guide once told me anecdotally that the swell is larger around the date of the full moon, although I cannot find any online evidence to back that up with confidence.
Regardless of the Galapagos travel month, if you choose a Galapagos Cruise then at some moment you may be facing a choppy ocean. Seasickness medication is therefore a must-have on your Galapagos packing list.
Another way to minimize seasickness is to book on a stable Catamaran or Trimaran for smoother sailing. Or, for really unhappy sailors, check out a Galapagos Land Tour itinerary instead.
Best Time to Go to Galapagos for Cheap Prices
Budget travelers pay attention, when is the best time of year to get your hands on a last-minute Galapagos promo deal?
Special deals can be available throughout the year, popping up at any time. In fact, it’s no longer even necessary to wait until the very last minute before you travel.
The best approach, therefore, is to monitor deals in advance using Happy Gringo’s online cruise availability tool. Promos vary from $ or % OFF to excellent 2-for-1 prices.
The only dates when cheaper Galapagos prices are rarely offered are during high season (July and August), and on special holidays including Easter, Christmas, and New Year.
Best Month to Go to Galapagos to Avoid Crowds
The Galapagos Islands are a very popular bucket-list destination, so there will always be tourist groups visiting.
The secret to avoid big crowds is to avoid high season and to book aboard the smaller cruise vessels with capacity up to 16 passengers.
When is the Galapagos Tourist High Season?
The high season tends to follow the school/college vacation year. So, July & August are busy, as is Easter Spring-Break week, and the Christmas / New Year period.
If you do travel during tourist high season, we strongly recommend booking well in advance to avoid missing out, even 1 year or more before you plan to travel.
When is the Best Time of Year to Go to Galapagos?
Returning back to our original question, which month is best to visit the Galapagos Islands?
As you can see, there is no simple answer as it depends greatly on your own personal preference of weather conditions, wildlife wish list, budget, planned activities, and more.
I prefer to view Galapagos as a fabulous year-round travel destination. Whichever month you choose to visit, the islands are truly magical, and will not disappoint.
Other Useful Galapagos Trip Planning Links
For more help when planning your dream Galapagos Islands Vacation, check out some of our other relevant blog posts:
For help with booking your Galapagos Trip, contact us for a FREE QUOTE. Happy Gringo have close to 20 years of experience helping 10k+ tourists to successfully make their dream vacation happen.
As well as the Galapagos Islands, we specialize in custom-made itineraries including mainland Ecuador, the Amazon Rainforest, Cloud Forest, Peru, Colombia, and much more besides.
In conclusion, the best time to go to the Galapagos is going to vary for different travelers. It may depend on the above-listed considerations such as weather and wildlife action, or it may be as simple as when you are able to book time off from work.
Either way, you really cannot go far wrong. Every single month at the Galapagos Islands is blessed with pleasant weather, and above all an unforgettable wildlife experience.
