Waved Albatross
Punta Suárez, Española
Almost always seen · courtship and breeding, April to December
See these departuresThe Galápagos Cruise · Best time to visit · May
Galápagos in May: Albatross Courtship and the Turn of the Season
May is the turn of the season: the albatross courtship is in full swing, the seas are still calm and the rain is fading. What May is best for:
Waved albatrossCourtshipPunta Suárez, EspañolaGiant tortoisesLast month in the lowlandsSanta CruzGreat frigatebirdsRed throat pouchesDarwin Bay, GenovesaCalm seas23 mm of rainMild days, 79°F
fromUS$1,860
Per person, May 2027
75°F
Water, colder in the west
79°F
Air by day
23 mm
Rain in the month
May at a glance
May is the last month of the warm season. The sea stays calm and the water is still pleasant, while the air begins to cool and the rain becomes rare.
On Española the albatross courtship is in full swing at Punta Suárez. The great frigatebirds display on Genovesa, green turtles still nest on Floreana, and the giant tortoises of Santa Cruz spend their last weeks in the lowlands before moving back up.
December to May
The warm season
Sunny, calm and clear, with short afternoon showers that leave the highlands green. May closes it: calm seas, less rain and the first cooler days.
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 May
71 species are recorded in May 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 May
All departures with space. Sold-out dates are not listed.
01/05/2027US$11,850
EMINENCE · EMINENCE: Route A
7 nights · back 08/05/2027 · 5 spots
Ask about this date03/05/2027US$2,845
Calipso · 4-Day Southern Islands: Floreana's 1793 Mail Barrel
3 nights · back 06/05/2027 · 16 spots
Ask about this date03/05/2027US$3,145
Grand Majestic · 4-Day Southern Islands: El Junco's Freshwater Crater
3 nights · back 06/05/2027 · 6 spots
Ask about this date04/05/2027US$3,945
Infinity · 4-Day Northern Islands: Darwin Bay's Frigatebirds
3 nights · back 07/05/2027 · 4 spots
Ask about this date05/05/2027US$2,975
Bonita · 4-Day Northern & Western: South Plaza's Red Carpet
4 nights · back 09/05/2027 · 9 spots
Ask about this date05/05/2027US$6,970
Galaxy Diver II · Galaxy Diver II: Route DIV
7 nights · back 12/05/2027 · 15 spots
Ask about this dateShow more departures12 of 87 shown
Questions about May
Is May a good time to visit the Galápagos?+
Yes. May has calm seas, little rain and the albatross courtship on Española, a good combination if you want both comfortable crossings and active wildlife.
Is May in the warm or the cool season?+
It is the last month of the warm season. The seas are still calm; from June the cooler current brings choppier water.
Where can I see the albatross courtship?+
At Punta Suárez on Española, from April to December.
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 May
Tell us who is travelling and what you want to see. We come back to you within one working day.
from US$1,860
01/05/2027