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When to Go

Best Time to Visit Galápagos Islands

South America · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: A $200 national park entry fee (per adult, cash) plus a $20 transit control card are collected on arrival. Most highlights need a live-aboard cruise or day-tour permits booked months ahead; seas are roughest during the Aug-Oct garua season, so pack motion-sickness remedies.
Best months
Jan, Jun–Aug, Dec
Flights from the US
🟡 One connection
Great for
couples · families with kids · adult group · multi-gen
Seasons at a glance
JanuaryJuneJulyAugustDecember FebruaryMarchAprilMayNovember SeptemberOctober

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Galápagos Islands month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 73–82°F 7h Moderate (64mm) Peak Warm season opens with calm, clear seas, sunny mornings and superb snorkeling.
February 75–84°F 7h High (131mm) Shoulder Hot, humid and lush with warm water, calm seas and green island highlands.
March 75–85°F 8h High (111mm) Shoulder Warmest month: bathwater seas, sunny skies and peak snorkeling visibility.
April 75–84°F 7h High (122mm) Shoulder Warm, calm and green as waved albatross return to Espanola to court and nest.
May 73–82°F 6h Moderate (51mm) Shoulder The warm season winds down with pleasant seas and blue-footed booby courtship.
June 71–80°F 5h Low (23mm) Peak Cool garua mist arrives; nutrient-rich seas bring whale sharks and busy wildlife.
July 70–78°F 5h Minimal (11mm) Peak Cool, breezy garua season with lively seabirds, penguins and rich cold-water life.
August 68–77°F 5h Minimal (7mm) Peak Coolest, breeziest season: peak seabird activity and whale-shark diving up north.
September 68–77°F 5h Minimal (5mm) Off-Peak Cool, misty and quiet with rough seas but the richest marine wildlife of the year.
October 68–78°F 5h Minimal (6mm) Off-Peak Garua fog and cool seas linger, with fewer visitors and thriving wildlife.
November 69–79°F 6h Minimal (9mm) Shoulder Seas begin to calm and warm as sea lion pups play across the quiet beaches.
December 71–81°F 6h Low (35mm) Peak Warm season returns with calming seas, green hills and festive holiday demand.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Galápagos Islands, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryPeak73–82°F
  • Snorkel with sea lions and rays at Kicker Rock
  • Visit giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Station
  • Walk to Tortuga Bay near Puerto Ayora
  • Spot marine iguanas and land iguanas on North Seymour
  • Kayak and swim in warm, glassy bays
FebruaryShoulder75–84°F
  • Snorkel warm, clear water off Bartolome Island
  • See green sea turtles nesting on the beaches
  • Watch flamingos in coastal lagoons on Isabela
  • Hike the highlands to wild giant tortoises at El Chato
  • Dive or snorkel with reef sharks and rays
MarchShoulder75–85°F
  • Snorkel Pinnacle Rock at Bartolome Island
  • Swim with sea turtles and playful sea lions
  • Visit marine iguanas basking on the lava shores
  • Hike Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela
  • Relax on the white sands of Tortuga Bay
AprilShoulder75–84°F
  • See waved albatross courtship on Espanola (Punta Suarez)
  • Snorkel with sea turtles in warm, clear water
  • Watch land iguanas and blue-footed boobies nesting
  • Explore Los Tuneles lava formations on Isabela
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
MayShoulder73–82°F
  • Watch blue-footed booby mating dances on North Seymour
  • Snorkel with sea lions and rays
  • See waved albatross on Espanola Island
  • Hike to Tortuga Bay and its lagoon
  • Tour the Santa Cruz highlands for giant tortoises
JunePeak71–80°F
  • Dive with whale sharks at Darwin and Wolf (advanced)
  • Watch blue-footed boobies nesting and dancing
  • Snorkel cooler, plankton-rich waters with sea lions
  • Spot Galapagos penguins around Isabela
  • Hike Bartolome for its iconic Pinnacle Rock view
JulyPeak70–78°F
  • Snorkel with penguins and sea lions off Isabela
  • See blue-footed boobies raising chicks
  • Watch whales and dolphins in the cool currents
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Station tortoises
  • Kayak and hike the highlands under misty skies
AugustPeak68–77°F
  • Dive Darwin and Wolf for whale sharks (advanced)
  • Watch albatross and boobies on Espanola
  • Spot fur seals and penguins on the cool shores
  • Hike Sierra Negra's vast caldera on Isabela
  • Snorkel Kicker Rock with sharks and rays
SeptemberOff-Peak68–77°F
  • Snorkel abundant cool-water life with sea lions
  • See penguins and flightless cormorants on Fernandina
  • Watch sea lion pups on the beaches
  • Dive with sharks at Gordon Rocks
  • Enjoy low-season prices and empty trails
OctoberOff-Peak68–78°F
  • Watch Galapagos penguins and boobies fishing
  • Snorkel with playful sea lions off San Cristobal
  • Spot fur seals along the lava coastlines
  • Hike Espanola for late albatross
  • See land iguanas and giant tortoises on Santa Cruz
NovemberShoulder69–79°F
  • Watch playful sea lion pups on the beaches
  • Snorkel with sea turtles as water warms
  • Spot penguins and marine iguanas around Isabela
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Hike Tortuga Bay and the Santa Cruz highlands
DecemberPeak71–81°F
  • Snorkel with sea turtles in warming waters
  • See giant tortoise hatchlings at breeding centers
  • Watch marine iguanas and sea lions on the shores
  • Hike to Tortuga Bay's white-sand beach
  • Kayak calm bays around Puerto Ayora

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