The Galapagos Islands offer a vibrant environment of mating and reproduction cycles, migrating habits, and varying weather conditions. Many travelers want to know what happens when in order to plan their trip – others having already made arrangements simply want to know what to expect at certain times of the year!
January
Birds:
- Land birds, such as finches and warblers, begin to nest
- Good time to see mockingbird and finch mating rituals
- Hawks feast on young marine iguanas on Fernandina Island
Animals:
- Española Marine Iguanas are still in their bright colors
- Green Sea Turtles lay eggs: it may be possible to see some on shore
- Isabela Land Iguanas begin breeding season
Weather:
- Warm season begins
- Moderate to high rainfall
- Daily land temperatures around 77°F/25°C
- Daily water temperatures around 73°F/23°C
February
Birds:
- Flamingos begin nesting
- Penguins head away from central islands to the cooler waters of Isabela and Fernandina
- Pintail Ducks begin breeding season
- Nazca Booby nesting season ends
- Galapagos Doves nest
Animals:
- Santa Cruz Marine Iguanas begin nesting
Weather:
- Waters begin to cool, despite warm season
- High rainfall
- Daily land temperatures around 78°F/26°C
- Daily water temperatures around 72°F/22°C
March
Birds:
- On San Cristobal and Genovesa, Frigatebirds begin their mating season and males inflate their dazzling red-throat sacs
- Waved Albatrosses begin returning to Española for the mating season.
- Penguins common on Isabela and Fernandina
- Most migratory shore birds gone by the end of the month
- Sometimes, hawk chicks are visible in nests.
Animals:
- Fernandina and North Seymour Marine Iguanas nest
Weather:
- Warm season in full swing: one of the hottest months in Galapagos
- High rainfall
- Daily land temperatures around 83°F/28°C
- Daily water temperatures around 70°F/21°C
April
Birds:
- Waved Albatrosses perform courtship dances on Española
- Blue-footed Boobies mate, also performing a mating dance
- Frigatebird mating season is in full swing
- Frigatebird pouches visible on Genovesa.
Animals:
- Giant Tortoise hatching season ends
- Sea turtle eggs begin to hatch
- Isabela Land Iguana eggs hatch
Weather:
- Warm season in full swing: one of the hottest months in Galapagos, although water cools drastically
- High rainfall
- Daily land temperatures around 83°F/28°C
- Daily water temperatures around 62°F/16°C
May
Birds:
- Waved Albatrosses begin laying eggs
- Storm Petrels begin nesting season.
- Booby mating season continues
- Frigatebirds begin laying eggs
Animals:
- Green sea turtles hatch on Punta Cormorant, Puerto Egas and Gardner Bay
- Santa Cruz Marine Iguanas hatch
Weather:
- End of warm season
- Waters begin to warm up again
- Moderate rainfall
- Daily land temperatures around 77°F/25°C
- Daily water temperatures around 63°F/17°C
June
Birds:
- Many migrating birds visit Galapagos
- Short-eared Owls on Genovesa begin nesting season
- Boobies nest and lay eggs
- A good month to see Frigatebird pouches on North Seymour
Animals:
- Santa Cruz Giant Tortoises migrate down from the highlands to the lowlands to begin mating season
- Humpback Whales migrate through Galapagos
- Good time to see Whale Sharks off of Darwin and Wolf, until November or so
Weather:
- Beginning of dry season
- Low rainfall
- Daily land temperatures around 72°F/23°C
- Daily water temperatures around 70°F/21°C
| Check out the Galapagos weather page for more information about conditions of the islands throughout the year. Ask our trip advisors for help planning your Galapagos trip at the perfect time! |
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