Galapagos Islands News

It's a commonly asked Question: When is the best time to go to Galapagos? There are many answers, depending on what you want out of your Galapagos trip. If you want to see the reptiles and mammals that the Galapagos Islands are famous for, you may want to consult this calendar to help you plan your trip.

Just like the birds, the mammals and reptiles in Galapagos follow certain cycles of breeding, feeding, mating and other life functions. These behaviors vary during different times of the year and also from island to island. For example, if you want to see the bright red-and-green "Christmas Iguanas" of Española, you should go in December or January.

Here's a handy chart, organized by month.

January:

• Española Marine Iguanas are brightly colored
• Green Sea Turtles are laying eggs
• Isabela land iguanas begin breeding season
• Giant tortoise eggs still hatching

February:

• Santa Cruz Marine Iguanas begin nesting

March:

• Fernandina and North Seymour Marine Iguanas nesting

April:

• Giant Tortoise hatching season ends
• Sea turtle eggs begin to hatch
• Isabela Land Iguana Eggs hatch

May:

• Green sea turtles hatching on Punta Cormorant, Puerto Egas and Gardner Bay
• Santa Cruz Marine Iguanas hatching

June:

• 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

July:

• Lava Lizards begin mating behavior which includes "push-ups" this will continue into November
• Whales and Dolphins common, especially in the waters between Isabela and Fernandina

August:

• Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz migrate back to the highlands
• Galapagos sea lions begin to give birth, pups common

September:

• Sea lions very active as breeding season kicks off: males often fight on land and in the water to defend their harems

October:

• Galapagos Fur Sea Lion mating season begins
• Giant Tortoises laying eggs

November:

• Good time to see sea lion pups at nurseries

December:

• Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch, this will last until April
• Green Sea Turtles often mating in shallow waters