Galápagos Penguin
Tagus Cove, Isabela
Almost always seen · more active than usual, June to November
See these departuresThe Galápagos Cruise · Best time to visit · September
Galápagos in September: Dry Days, Busy Colonies and Sea Lion Pups
September is the driest month of the year, with lively seas, sea lion pups and active penguins in the west. What September is best for:
Dry weather0 mm of rainThe driest month of the yearSea lion pupsOn the beachesGardner Bay, EspañolaPenguinsMost activeTagus Cove, IsabelaOcean sunfishCleaning stationPunta Vicente Roca, Isabela
fromUS$2,880
Per person, September 2027
72°F
Water, colder in the west
73°F
Air by day
0 mm
Rain in the month
September at a glance
September is the driest month of the year. The seas are at their liveliest and the water among the coolest, and that cold, rich water is what keeps the wildlife so active.
Sea lion pups are on the beaches at Gardner Bay, the penguins hunt at Tagus Cove, and the albatross courtship continues on Española. At Punta Vicente Roca ocean sunfish come to the cleaning station, and humpback whales are sometimes seen on the crossings.
June to November
The cool season
Cooler air, misty highlands, choppier and richer seas. September is its driest month, with the liveliest seas.
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 September
73 species are recorded in September 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 September
All departures with space. Sold-out dates are not listed.
01/09/2027US$5,950
EMINENCE · EMINENCE: Route D
3 nights · back 04/09/2027 · 17 spots
Ask about this date01/09/2027US$8,200
Galaxy Diver II · Galaxy Diver II: Route DIV
7 nights · back 08/09/2027 · 4 spots
Ask about this dateShow more departures12 of 66 shown
Questions about September
Is September a good time to visit the Galápagos?+
Yes, if you want dry weather and active wildlife. September is the driest month, with sea lion pups, penguins and the albatross courtship. The seas are at their liveliest.
Will I see whales in September?+
Sometimes. Humpback whales pass from June to October and are occasionally seen on the crossings; a sighting is never certain.
What is the weather like in September?+
Dry and mild, with cool water and choppy seas. The monthly averages are at the top of this page.
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 September
Tell us who is travelling and what you want to see. We come back to you within one working day.
from US$2,880
01/09/2027