September offers a glimpse of Galapagos penguins’ courtship and nesting on Isabela Island, swimming near rocky shores or sunbathing on volcanic rocks a captivating spectacle for wildlife lovers
September offers a glimpse of Galapagos penguins’ courtship and nesting on Isabela Island, swimming near rocky shores or sunbathing on volcanic rocks—a captivating spectacle for wildlife lovers
Marine Iguanas in Action
It is also an excellent time to see marine iguanas, which become more active as they absorb the sun’s heat on the rocks. In September, these endemic creatures can be found in large groups, offering magnificent opportunities to take photographs and appreciate their adaptations to the marine environment.
Boobies in Display
On the mainland, blue-footed boobies continue their nesting season, and can be seen displaying their courtship dances in places such as Española or North Seymour. Their movements and the contrast of their vibrant feet against the arid landscape make this an unforgettable experience for visitors interested in birds.
September brings cool, dry weather with cloudy skies and a light breeze. Highland garúa creates a calm atmosphere, ideal for exploring without heat. As low season, it offers fewer tourists and a more relaxed connection with nature.
62-75°F
(17-24°C)
66-73°F
(19-23°C)
0.25 inches
(1 cm)
Marine Iguanas in Action
It is also an excellent time to see marine iguanas, which become more active as they absorb the sun’s heat on the rocks. In September, these endemic creatures can be found in large groups, offering magnificent opportunities to take photographs and appreciate their adaptations to the marine environment.
Boobies in Display
On the mainland, blue-footed boobies continue their nesting season, and can be seen displaying their courtship dances in places such as Española or North Seymour. Their movements and the contrast of their vibrant feet against the arid landscape make this an unforgettable experience for visitors interested in birds.
September brings cool, dry weather with cloudy skies and a light breeze. Highland garúa creates a calm atmosphere, ideal for exploring without heat. As low season, it offers fewer tourists and a more relaxed connection with nature.
62-75°F
(17-24°C)
66-73°F
(19-23°C)
0.25 inches (1 cm)
The Great Frigatebird, iconic in Galapagos, cannot dive due to non-waterproof wings. Instead, it steals food mid-flight from other birds kleptoparasitism.
Females care for chicks over a year, reproducing biennially. They devote time to raising young, commonly seen in San Cristobal, North Seymour, Genovesa.
The male shows a red gular sac, inflating it during courtship to attract females in 30 minutes, with sounds and wing movements.
Gracefully soaring above the Pacific, the frigatebird is iconic in Galapagos. Though not endangered, climate change, pollution, and habitat loss threaten its future. Conservation protects nesting areas, while responsible visitors help ensure their continued flight across these skies.
The Great Frigatebird can remarkably sleep while flying, using only one hemisphere of its brain, enabling it to soar for days across the ocean without landing.
Bring a light jacket or windbreaker for early morning excursions, and consider packing a short wetsuit for snorkeling — the water can feel chilly due to the Humboldt current.
