Best time to visit the Galápagos
The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands isn’t so much a matter of specific months, but depends on what you’d like to see. For example, the Galapagos Archipelago is home to both warm and cold ocean currents, which result in different wildlife at various times of the year.
In brief:
- The hot, wet season: from late December to June
- The cool, dry season: late June to December
Every season has its own advantages, and the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depends on what you want to see.
Best time to visit the Galápagos Islands
The climate of the Galápagos archipelago is characterised by dry and temperate conditions and is also classified as subtropical. This means the islands are a great place to visit all year round. Broadly speaking, the weather on the islands can be divided into two main seasons: the warm, wet season and the cool, dry season. The weather is also influenced by the ocean currents that converge around the islands. Each season has its own advantages.
The hot, wet season
- This season runs from late December to June
- The average temperature during these months is between 27 and 32 degrees
- Not only is the air temperature rising, but the water temperature is also higher. It can reach up to 25 degrees
- Underwater visibility is excellent, making it ideal for snorkelling and diving
- March and April are generally the wettest months
- You can expect showers mainly in the afternoon
The cooler, dry season
- This season runs from late June to December
- The temperature hovers around 25 degrees during these months
- The water temperature is around 22 degrees
- Due to the plankton bloom, underwater visibility is reduced, but this is when the whale sharks are present
- Due to the lower temperatures, this is also the breeding season for many seabirds and shorebirds.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Minimum temperature in °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Water temperature in °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
All year round
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January
- Snorkelling with penguins
- Good underwater visibility
- Green sea turtles are nesting
- Warm temperatures
-
February
- Giant tortoises lay eggs in the wild
- Best underwater visibility
- Sunny, long days
-
March
- The mating season for land iguanas begins
- High water temperatures, ideal for swimming and snorkelling
- The highlands are at their greenest
- There is a high chance of rain
-
April
- Start of the flamingo breeding season
- High water temperatures, ideal for swimming and snorkelling
- The highlands are at their greenest
- There is a high chance of rain
-
May
- Temperatures are falling
- The Galapagos albatross arrives to breed
- The Humboldt Current is growing stronger; the nutrient-rich waters are attracting marine life
-
June
- Start of the cormorant breeding season
- Plenty of marine life, ideal for snorkelling
- Pleasant temperatures and long days
- You can expect rain in the highlands
-
July
- The breeding season for the Californian sea lion begins
- The breeding season for the red-footed booby is also about to begin
- Chances of spotting dolphins and whales increase
-
August
- The blue-footed booby nests
- The breeding season for the red-footed booby begins
- Chances of spotting dolphins and whales increase
-
September
- Best month for whale and dolphin watching
- Frigatebird begins mating
- Ideal month for snorkelling
- A Galapagos albatross is nesting
-
October
- Giant tortoises lay eggs in the wild
- An albatross is nesting
- Lots of young sea lions on land
-
November
- Green sea turtles are nesting
- The Galapagos penguin breeding season begins
- Bustling marine life, ideal for diving and snorkelling
-
December
- Official start of the warm season
- The Humboldt Current is weakening, and the water is warming up
- Breeding season for masked boobies
- The start and end of the breeding season, which means there’s plenty of wildlife activity
Whales
Generally speaking, the whale-watching season runs from June to December, with the best chance of spotting whales between July and September. During the months of June to December, humpback whales migrate from the nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica to the warmer waters around the equator to mate and give birth. With a bit of luck, you might spot a baby whale during this period!
Other species of whale, such as minke whales or sperm whales, can be seen year-round in the waters around the Galápagos Islands; however, their movements are less predictable, making it difficult to determine the best time to spot these species.
When you request a travel proposal from us for the Galapagos Islands and are specifically interested in whale watching, we always contact our local partners to provide you with up-to-date information.
Time difference between the Galápagos Islands and the Netherlands/Belgium
During the Dutch winter, it is 7 hours earlier on the Galapagos Islands than in the Netherlands and Belgium.
During Dutch summer time, it is 8 hours earlier on the Galápagos Islands than in the Netherlands and Belgium.
How long is the flight to the Galapagos Islands?
There are no direct flights from Amsterdam to the Galapagos Islands. You will always need to fly to Quito or Guayaquil in Ecuador first.
A direct flight from Amsterdam to Quito takes 11 hours and 45 minutes. From Quito, it is approximately a 2-hour and 15-minute flight to the Galapagos Islands (direct flight).
Please bear in mind that most flights from Quito to the Galápagos involve a stopover in Guayaquil, so the journey time will be longer.
The flight time to Guayaquil is 13 hours and 55 minutes, with a stopover in Quito. From Guayaquil, it is approximately a 2-hour flight to the Galápagos Islands (direct flight).
Fancy visiting the Galápagos Islands?
Would you like to visit the Galapagos Islands yourself and are you curious about the options available? Then do take a look at the tours we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.