Waved Albatross
Punta Suárez, Española
Almost always seen · courtship and breeding, April to December
See these departuresThe Galápagos Cruise · Best time to visit · April
Galápagos in April: The Albatross Return and Warm, Calm Water
April combines the last weeks of the warmest water with the return of the waved albatross to Española. What April is best for:
Waved albatrossBack on EspañolaPunta Suárez, from AprilSnorkellingWarm waterStill calm seasGreen turtlesNestingPunta Cormorant, FloreanaGiant tortoisesIn the lowlandsSanta Cruz
fromUS$1,860
Per person, April 2027
79°F
Water, colder in the west
81°F
Air by day
48 mm
Rain in the month
April at a glance
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 rain begins to ease towards the end of the month.
Green turtles are still nesting on Floreana, the great frigatebirds display on Genovesa, and the giant tortoises of Santa Cruz are still partly in the lowlands.
December to May
The warm season
Sunny, calm and clear, with short afternoon showers that leave the highlands green. April keeps the warm water and adds the albatross.
Notable wildlife
- Green turtles nesting
- Marine iguanas in breeding colours
- Waved albatross returning in April
Best for
Snorkelling, swimming, anyone prone to seasickness
Wildlife in April
71 species are recorded in April at the places our cruises visit. The six most likely first.
Española Mockingbird
Punta Suárez, Española
Almost always seen · present and unusually tame
See these departuresWedge-rumped Storm Petrel
Prince Philip's Steps, Genovesa
Almost always seen · vast colony in the lava crevices
See these departuresGreat Frigatebird
Darwin Bay, Genovesa
Often seen · males displaying inflated red throat pouches, March to June
See these departures6 of 71 species with photos shownShow all 71
Departures in April
All departures with space. Sold-out dates are not listed.
03/04/2027US$6,500
Alya · 5-Day Southern Islands: Marine Iguana Breeding Season
5 nights · back 08/04/2027 · 4 spots
Ask about this date05/04/2027US$2,845
Calipso · 4-Day Southern Islands: Floreana's 1793 Mail Barrel
3 nights · back 08/04/2027 · 16 spots
Ask about this dateShow more departures12 of 81 shown
Questions about April
Is April a good time to visit the Galápagos?+
Yes. April has warm, calm water for snorkelling and is the first month in which the waved albatross are back on Española.
When do the waved albatross arrive?+
They return to Española in April and stay until December. Their courtship begins soon after they arrive and reaches its peak in October.
Is April still part of the warm season?+
Yes. The warm season runs from December to May, so April has warm water and calm seas, and the rain starts to ease.
Other months
All twelve months: The best time to visit the Galápagos
María Fernanda Ortiz
We reply within one business day
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María Fernanda Ortiz
We answer personally, and we answer ourselves. A Galápagos trip is once in a lifetime, and you want the right advice before you book.
+ 1 786 509 6338We answer first thing on the next working day
Ask about departures in April
Tell us who is travelling and what you want to see. We come back to you within one working day.
from US$1,860
01/04/2027