
Galapagos Adventures
has 31 years of experience organizing travel to the Galapagos Islands. We have successfully navigated through difficult times on multiple occasions including the most recent events involving the global pandemic. We KNOW Galapagos so we can answer all of your questions. There is a LOT of information on this site – everything from the travel logistics to detailed specifications for numerous yachts and ships. Use the drop down menus below to narrow your search to specific topics. Any information you can not find on this site is an email or phone call away. Click here to send us an email to get started in finding the tour that is right for you.
Season events in Galapagos by month.
Even though Galapagos is located directly on the equator, there are two distinct seasons in Galapagos. The warm (also known as the wet) season which is from the middle of December until May and the cold (also known as the dry) season which from June until the middle of December. Remember these terms are relative as the wet season is not very wet and the cold season is certainly not very cold. However Galapagos is different both above and below the water during the different seasons.
January -
Warm marine currents arrive.
Land birds start nesting.
On Espanola, the adult male marine iguanas become brightly colored.
The green sea turtle arrives to the beaches of Galapagos to lay their eggs.
Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela.
Water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June.
Ideal time for snorkeling.
February -
On Floreana flamingos start nesting.
White-cheeked pintails start their breeding season.
Masked boobies on Espanola are at the end of their nesting season.
Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz.
Highest water temperature reaches 25°C (77°F) and remains until April.
Galapagos dove's nesting season reaches its peak.
March -
Water temperature reaches its max.
Sporadic tropical rains and intense sun.
Air temperature can reach up to 30°C (86°F).
Marine iguanas nest in Fernandina.
March 21, the summer equinox signals the beginning.
The waved albatross arrive to Espanola.
April
Massive arrival of waved albatross to Espanola and their courtship starts.
Hatching season ends for giant tortoises.
Green sea turtles' eggs begin to hatch
Land iguanas hatch on Isabela.
May
North Seymour's blue-footed boobies begin their courtship.
Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas.
Palo santo trees begin to shed their foliage.
Albatross on Espanola start laying their eggs.
Band-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.
June
Beginning of the dry season
Giant tortoises migrate from highlands to lowlands for suitable nesting places.
Beginning of nesting season of giant tortoises
July
Sea birds are active, especially blue-footed boobies on Espanola.
Flightless cormorants court and nest on Fernandina.
It´s possible to find oyster catchers nesting on Puerto Egas.
Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November.
Whales are more likely to be observed, especially off the Western coast of Isabela.
August
The Galapagos hawks court on Espanola and Santiago
Masked boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa
Temperature of the ocean descends to 18° C (64°F) which obviously varies according to the geographic zones among the islands.
Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the islands until March.
Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz
September
Peak of the dry season
The air temperature reaches its lowest (19°C - 66°F)
Penguins demonstrate remarkable activity on Bartolome until December
Sea lions are very active, specially in the western and central areas of the Archipelago
Most species of marine birds remain active at their nesting sites
October
Lava herons nest until March
The Galapagos fur seals begin their mating period
Boobies raise their chicks on Espanola
Giant tortoises still lay their eggs
November
Sea lion pups are born
Sea lions are sexually active on the Eastern part of the Archipelago
Breeding season of brown noddies
Band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period
December
Hatching of the giant tortoise's eggs begins and lasts until April
Green sea turtles display their mating behavior.
The warm season begins and all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves.
Galapagos "turns green".
The first young albatross fledge.