The Galápagos Cruise · Planning · Best time to visit
The Best Time to Visit the Galápagos
There is no bad month, only a wrong one for what you want to see. The short answer:
Weather by month
Averages for Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. The west is colder in the water from June. Click a month to jump to it.
December to May
The warm season
Sunny, calm and clear, with short afternoon showers that leave the highlands green. The water warms from 23 to 27°C, and the turtles, iguanas and returning albatross set the rhythm of the months.
Notable wildlife
- Green turtles nesting
- Marine iguanas in breeding colours
- Waved albatross returning in April
Best for
Snorkelling, swimming, anyone prone to seasickness
December
Best for marine iguanas colouring up
December is when the warm season arrives. The sea calms, the sun comes out between short showers, and on Española the marine iguanas begin to flush red and green. The first green turtles haul up the beaches to nest, while the year's young albatross leave the island for the open ocean.
Air 75°F (24°C) · Water 73°F (23°C) · Rain 15 mm · Calm seas
All 71 departures in December 2026December 2027: 147 departures
January
Best for nesting turtles
January is warm, bright and calm, a good month for first-time snorkellers. Turtles nest on the beaches of Santiago, Santa Cruz and Floreana, the marine iguanas of Española are at their most colourful, and the giant tortoises come down from the highlands.
Air 79°F (26°C) · Water 75°F (24°C) · Rain 28 mm · Calm seas
All 82 departures in January 2027January 2028: 198 departures
February
Best for the greenest islands
February is the wettest month, which here means a short downpour in the afternoon and green highlands the rest of the day. The water reaches 26°C. Turtle nesting is at its height, and the giant tortoises are easy to meet in the lowlands of Santa Cruz.
Air 81°F (27°C) · Water 79°F (26°C) · Rain 58 mm · Calm seas
All 77 departures in February 2027February 2028: 178 departures
March
Best for snorkelling
March brings the warmest water of the year, 27°C, and the clearest visibility. It is the month to spend as much time in the water as on land: turtles glide past at Pinnacle Rock, and the reef fish are easy to see in the clear water.
Air 81°F (27°C) · Water 81°F (27°C) · Rain 53 mm · Calm seas
April
Best for snorkelling and the albatross return
In April the waved albatross return to Española after months at sea, and their courtship begins at Punta Suárez. The sea is still warm and calm, so snorkelling stays excellent, and the turtles are still nesting.
Air 81°F (27°C) · Water 79°F (26°C) · Rain 48 mm · Calm seas
May
Best for albatross courtship in calm seas
May is the turn of the season. The albatross courtship on Española is in full swing, and the giant tortoises of Santa Cruz are still down in the lowlands where they are easy to meet. The seas stay calm while the air begins to cool.
Air 79°F (26°C) · Water 75°F (24°C) · Rain 23 mm · Calm seas
Planning a warm-season trip?
Tell María which month and what you want to see. María answers personally within one working day.
June to November
The cool season
Cooler air, misty highlands, choppier and richer seas. The water is 22 to 24°C and colder in the west, and that cold water is what brings the penguins, the sea lion pups and the busiest seabird colonies of the year.
Notable wildlife
- Albatross courtship on Española
- Penguins and sea lion pups
- Blue-footed booby courtship
Best for
Wildlife first, longer hikes, photography in soft light
June
Best for the blue-footed booby dance
June marks the start of the cool season. The current brings cooler, richer water, and with it the wildlife. On North Seymour the blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance, humpback whales are sometimes seen on the crossings, and the penguins become more active in the west.
Air 77°F (25°C) · Water 75°F (24°C) · Rain 13 mm · Choppier seas
July
Best for penguins
July is a month for the west. The water off Isabela and Fernandina is cold and full of life, the penguins hunt at Tagus Cove, and the giant tortoises are back up in the Santa Cruz highlands. The boobies are still dancing on North Seymour.
Air 75°F (24°C) · Water 73°F (23°C) · Rain 5 mm · Choppier seas
August
Best for sea lion pups
August belongs to the sea lion pups. On the beach at Gardner Bay they play in the shallows, while the blue-footed boobies finish their courtship. The air is mild and almost no rain falls.
Air 73°F (23°C) · Water 72°F (22°C) · Rain 3 mm · Choppier seas
All 119 departures in August 2027August 2028: 143 departures
September
Best for dry weather and wildlife
September is the driest month of the year. The seas are at their liveliest, and so is the wildlife: sea lion pups are everywhere, the penguins are active in the west, and whales still pass on the crossings.
Air 73°F (23°C) · Water 72°F (22°C) · Rain 0 mm · Choppier seas
All 66 departures in September 2027September 2028: 134 departures
October
Best for the albatross courtship peak
October is the peak of the albatross courtship on Española, with pairs fencing their bills at Punta Suárez. Sea lion pups are still on the beaches, and this is the last month to spot humpbacks on the crossings. The weather is dry and mild.
Air 73°F (23°C) · Water 72°F (22°C) · Rain 3 mm · Choppier seas
All 77 departures in October 2026October 2027: 117 departures
November
Best for penguins and pups
November brings the cool season to a close. The seas begin to calm, the sea lion pups grow bolder in the water, and the penguins are still active in the west. On Española the albatross are raising their chicks.
Air 75°F (24°C) · Water 73°F (23°C) · Rain 5 mm · Calming seas
All 69 departures in November 2026November 2027: 114 departures
The best time for…
Snorkelling
March and April. The water is at its warmest, 26 to 27°C, and the clearest of the year. The cool season brings more marine life but colder water; the wetsuit in the fare helps.
Wildlife
Every month has its highlight. Albatross courtship from April to December, the blue-footed booby dance from June to August, penguins most active from June to November.
Baby animals
Sea lion pups on the beaches from August to November. Young albatross take their first flights in December.
Photography
The cool season gives soft, overcast light and busy colonies; the warm season gives green islands, blue sky and clear water for underwater shots.
Calm seas
December to May. If you are prone to seasickness, these are the smoothest months for the crossings.
Is there a bad time?
No. The islands lie outside the hurricane belt, the wildlife is there all year, and visitor numbers barely change from month to month.
Questions about timing
Is the cool season too cold for snorkelling?+
No. From June to November the water is 22 to 24°C, colder in the west, and a wetsuit makes it comfortable. That cold water is what brings the penguins, the sea lions and the busiest seabird colonies.
How rough are the crossings from June to November?+
Choppier than in the warm season, because the cool current stirs up the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, December to May are the smoothest months for the crossings.
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We answer personally, and we answer ourselves. A Galápagos trip is once in a lifetime, and you want the right advice before you book.
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