Galápagos Penguin
Tagus Cove, Isabela
Almost always seen · more active than usual, June to November
See these departuresThe Galápagos Cruise · Best time to visit · August
Galápagos in August: Sea Lion Pups, Penguins and the Last Booby Dances
August is a month for young animals: sea lion pups on the beaches, active penguins in the west and the last weeks of the booby dance. What August is best for:
Sea lion pupsOn the beachGardner Bay, EspañolaBlue-footed boobiesLast weeks of the danceNorth SeymourPenguinsMost activeTagus Cove, IsabelaDry weather3 mm of rainMild days, 73°F
fromUS$2,145
Per person, August 2027
72°F
Water, colder in the west
73°F
Air by day
3 mm
Rain in the month
August at a glance
August is cool, dry and lively. The seas are choppier than in the warm season and the water is among the coolest of the year, which keeps the penguins and the seabird colonies busy. Almost no rain falls.
On the beach at Gardner Bay on Española the sea lion pups play in the shallows. The blue-footed boobies on North Seymour finish their courtship, the penguins hunt at Tagus Cove, and ocean sunfish visit the cleaning station at Punta Vicente Roca.
June to November
The cool season
Cooler air, misty highlands, choppier and richer seas. August sits deep in it: cool water, dry days and the first sea lion pups.
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
Wildlife in August
73 species are recorded in August at the places our cruises visit. The six most likely first.
Galápagos Giant Tortoise
Santa Cruz Highlands, Santa Cruz
Almost always seen · wild in the highlands, June to December
See these departuresWaved Albatross
Punta Suárez, Española
Almost always seen · courtship and breeding, April to December
See these departuresEspañola Mockingbird
Punta Suárez, Española
Almost always seen · present and unusually tame
See these departures6 of 73 species with photos shownShow all 73
Departures in August
All departures with space. Sold-out dates are not listed.
01/08/2027US$5,445
Galapagos Sea Star · 5-Day Northern Islands: Chinese Hat's Snorkel Channel
4 nights · back 05/08/2027 · 10 spots
Ask about this date02/08/2027US$7,245
Grand Majestic · 8-Day Western & Northern: Buccaneer Cove's Fur Seals
7 nights · back 09/08/2027 · 16 spots
Ask about this dateShow more departures12 of 119 shown
Questions about August
Is August a good time to visit the Galápagos?+
Yes, especially if you want to see young animals. August has sea lion pups on the beaches, active penguins and dry weather. The seas are choppier than in the warm season.
Where can I see sea lion pups in August?+
On the beach at Gardner Bay on Española, where pups are seen from August to November.
How rough is the sea in August?+
Choppier than from December to May, because the cool current stirs up the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, the warm season is calmer.
Other months
All twelve months: The best time to visit the Galápagos
María Fernanda Ortiz
We reply within one business day
Prefer to talk? + 1 786 509 6338
We answer first thing on the next working day
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 August
Tell us who is travelling and what you want to see. We come back to you within one working day.
from US$2,145
01/08/2027