The Best Time to Visit the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are a year-round destination, and even naturalist guides differ in their opinions of the best time to visit. You can even target specific wildlife events. There are two distinct seasons in the Galápagos: rainy season and dry season, though the best time to visit largely comes down to personal preference.
Many travelers consider wildlife when choosing a time to visit the Galápagos. The famous waved albatross visits Española only April-November. The comical mating dance of blue-footed boobies takes place May-June. October-November is a great time to see playful sea lion pups. For divers aboard live-aboard cruises, June-November is the prime season due to the presence of enormous whale sharks.
December-April is the rainy, hot season. The weather is sunny and interspersed with periods of rain. The seas are the calmest and the water is at its warmest, and it’s pleasant to swim without a wetsuit. Rain leads to an explosion of greenery on the hillsides of some islands, though the highlands and arid coastal areas don’t change much. The lush green highlands of the islands stay green year-round, and the arid coastal landscapes dominated by lava rock, mangroves, and cacti don’t change much either. The downside is that mosquitoes and the sun are the most intense; you may constantly feel sticky from bug repellent, sunscreen, and the humidity. This season coincides with the busiest tourist period around Christmas and early January.
June-October is the cool, dry season. There are fewer mosquitoes, and the temperature on land is more comfortable for most people. However, the landscapes are more barren and the sea becomes considerably rougher, so seasickness is more of a problem. You’ll need to wear a wetsuit for swimming and snorkeling; the waters can be surprisingly cold. The biggest upside is that the Humboldt Current brings nutrient-rich water from the south; this means marine animals like sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds that feed on fish are all more active. June-August is another high season, with many travelers coming for summer vacations.
The islands have short low seasons in May and September. These are the best times to secure last-minute availability, although September is often used by cruise-boat owners as an opportunity to do annual maintenance work. However, cut-price deals can be found year-round if you look hard enough and are flexible.
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