The Galapagos Islands 2023

Incredible Wildlife Year-Round

The Galápagos are magic any time of year. There are two main seasons in the islands, with different wildlife events in each of them. Here are some key differences, but you really can’t go wrong whenever you go! JUNE–NOVEMBER: THE GARUA SEASON DECEMBER-MAY: THE WARM SEASON

The drier garua season offers plenty of sunshine during the day but it is less intense, with more cloud cover. The air temperature is lower, with highs in the upper 70s or mid 80s F. The water temperature is cooler, although during El Niño years, the warm currents can cause warmer waters and more rainfall. JUNE: In June, the giant tortoises who live in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island begin to move to the lowlands for their nesting season. Migratory birds and whales begin their northern journeys and often stop to rest and feed in the Galápagos. It’s sometimes possible to see humpback whales along the coast. JULY: Whales and dolphins may be seen in the channel between Isabela and Fernandina. This is a highly active breeding time for many seabirds including the flightless cormorants on Fernandina and blue-footed boobies of Española. At the nest sites of the blue-footed boobies, eggs as well as juvenile birds can be seen. AUGUST: The sea currents are at their strongest, and the sea temperatures their lowest, with variations from island to island. This is pupping season for sea lions and we should see pups in many places. On Santa Cruz, the giant tortoises begin to move back up to the highlands. Out on remote Genovesa Island, swallow-tailed gulls begin to nest as do the Nazca boobies. SEPTEMBER: Sea lion colonies are very active with harem building, and Galápagos penguins are extremely active, especially around Bartolomé, so you may be snorkeling with penguins zipping around you like tiny torpedos. Seabird nesting sites are also full of activity. OCTOBER: The garua (high fog) is around at this time of year but usually burns off by midday. Galápagos fur seals begin their mating, and blue-footed boobies rear their chicks on Española and Isabela. NOVEMBER: The seas are calm, with water temperatures gradually getting warmer, allowing better visibility for snorkelers. Sea lion pups, now about three or four months old, can be very active in the waters in November and are very curious. They love to investigate visiting snorkelers.

The water is at its warmest during these months, and the seas are generally calmer. Air temperatures are also warmer, with frequent afternoon showers. DECEMBER: As the waters warm up, green sea turtles begin their mating rituals and the eggs of the giant land tortoises start to hatch. On Española, the juvenile waved albatrosses begin to leave their nests. Migratory birds and some whales will be visiting the Galápagos on their way south for the winter at this time of year. JANUARY: In January, land birds begin nesting, green sea turtles swim to the beaches to lay their eggs, and adult marine iguanas begin to show red and green coloration in addition to their usual jet black. January is a great snorkeling month as the water and air temperatures begin to warm up. FEBRUARY: The waters are typically at their warmest in February. Nazca boobies finish up their nesting activities, the Galápagos dove population peaks in its nesting, and the flamingos of Floreana begin setting up their nests. On Santa Cruz Island, marine iguanas can be seen nesting. MARCH: The snorkeling is great in March. On Isabela, for example, snorkelers at Punta Vicente Roca can find themselves surrounded simultaneously by penguins and tropical fish. In March, the waved albatrosses arrive on Española to begin nesting. On Fernandina, the marine iguanas start nesting. APRIL: Clear visibility in the water combined with the pleasant temperature makes April ideal for snorkeling. Española is full of waved albatrosses at their nest sites performing spectacular courtship dances. Baby green sea turtles and baby land iguanas are hatching. MAY: Visitors to Española in May may be able to see eggs in the nests of the waved albatrosses, and the sea turtles continue to hatch on several islands. On the tiny island of North Seymour, we watch the courtship dances of the blue-footed boobies. Santa Cruz has a new generation of marine iguanas emerging from eggs in the nests. It becomes cooler and drier in May as the Humboldt current begins to come up from the south.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC AIR TEMPERATURE 77°F 78°F 83°F 83°F 77°F 72°F 75°F 70°F 70°F 71°F 73°F 74°F WATER TEMPERATURE 76°F 77°F 77°F 77°F 76°F 73°F 71°F 70°F 71°F 72°F 73°F 74°F MONTHLY RAINFALL 2.4 in 4.6 in 4.0 in 3.0 in 0.6 in 0.2 in 0.3 in 0.2 in 0.2 in 0.2 in 0.2 in 0.3 in

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