Galapagos in August: Weather, Wildlife and What to Expect
Need help planning your August Galapagos vacation?
No Fields Found.Galapagos in August - Is it a Good Month to Visit?
One of the most common questions we get asked: when is the best month to travel to Galapagos? Is our vacation to Galapagos in August a good idea, or should we go in July or September? Is it too hot / cold / rainy in August? Are the August seas warm enough for swimming? Our answer is always the same – August is a great month at Galapagos, and so too are all the other months! The Galapagos Islands are an all year round travel destination, with comfortable weather and great wildlife viewing every month of the year. So yes, August is as good a month as any to visit Galapagos.
Read on for more infromation about Galapagos in AUGUST, including typical weather, tourist numbers, and the top wildlife highlights to expect.
What to expect at galapagos in August?
August Galapagos Climate Season:
August is in the middle of the COOL & DRY Galapagos climate season, so you should expect cloudy skies, cool but comfortable temperatures without much humidity, and dry days. Remember to still use sun protection, as it is easy to burn even under cloudy skies close to the equator.
August Galapagos Wildlife Season:
In COOL & DRY months like August, the seas are cool and rich in nutrients - the perfect time of year for marine species like Sealions, Sea Turtles, and species of Seabird, who find food plentiful. Even migratory whales are abundant at Galapagos during these months.
The highlands are bare and dry. Don’t worry though, Galapagos land species are still easily spotted in August, even though there is less green food available for them.
Tourist Season:
August at Galapagos sees HIGH demand for cruise and land tour spaces - especially for families with children who are enjoying school vacations. We therefore strongly recommend booking your August Galapagos tour well in advance to avoid missing out on spaces.
Galapagos Weather August
August at Galapagos falls in the middle of the cool and dry season - meaning that skies are often cloudy, and temperatures are a comfortable 26 degrees celcius. August is also the driest Galapagos month, with almost no rain to speak of. Be warned that, even on a cloudy day, the equatorial sun is strong behind the clouds, so remember to use sunscreen and a hat to avoid burning.
Average Galapagos Temperature in August
Average Galapagos Rainfall in August
Water Temperature at Galapagos in August
August is the coldest month in the sea at Galapagos, with water temperatures cooling to 21.5 degrees celcius, so wetsuit rentals are highly recommended for snorkeling. The good news though is that it is a great month for underwater action - Galapagos marine species are abundant and active in August.
Which animals can I see at Galapagos in August?
Is August in Galapagos a good month for wildlife? Remember, every month at the Galapagos Islands (including August) is amazing for wildlife spotting, and almost all land and marine species can in fact be found all year-round.
That said, each month does bring something different to the archipelago. Subtle changes in animal behavior such as breeding, nesting, hatching, feeding, growing, migrating. The Galapagos natural world is in constant change. In August, don't miss the adorable new-born sea lion pups, and hatching chicks of Blue footed boobies and Frigates. August is also an exciting time under the waters, with hammerhead shark sightings more common around North Seymour and at Kicker Rock (San Cristobal).
Check out the infographic below for some of the special wildlife highlights to expect at Galapagos in August.
In conclusion, August is a recommended month to visit Galapagos - it is one of the most comfortable months to travel weather-wise, without humidity, but temperatures are pleasant. Marine wildlife is a top August highlight - particularly enjoyable for snorkelers, divers or lovers of seabirds. August is also a peak whale-watching month.
We really hope that this August in Galapagos blog was useful. If you are looking for a complete summary of Galapagos climate across the year, then also check out our general Galapagos Weather blog.
If you need any help planning your Galapagos Vacation (in August or any other month!), then please get in touch - we'd love to help!
Happy Gringo has over 15 years of experience as the trusted choice in Galapagos travel and has received special recognition from TripAdvisor for 6 consecutive years. We specialize in Galapagos Cruises, Diving Tours, and Custom-Made Galapagos Land Trips. We’d love to hear from you.
English
Dutch
French
German
Spanish