Best time to go to the Galapagos Islands

No matter when your summer or work holidays are, you will always find something interesting to do or see in the Galapagos Islands. This is because the Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination with mild changes in weather patterns. If you’re wondering about the best time to visit Galapagos, rest assured that any time of the year offers incredible experiences and opportunities to explore this unique archipelago.

What’s more? Most of the wildlife stays in the archipelago throughout the whole year. The most important thing to remember is that there are two distinct seasons – the Hot Season (January to June) and the Dry Season (July to December), each with their own set of noticeable differences and features. So, ultimately, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands may vary depending on your personal tastes, interests, and what you would like to see and do. This blog will help you learn more about when the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is.

In terms of weather, when is the best time to visit the Galapagos?

Breakdown of the different seasons in the Galapagos

Apart from the two main seasons (hot and dry), there are two transition months (or periods) in the Galapagos that mark the change from one season to the next. The transition months are December (transition from Hot to Dry) and June (transition from Dry to Hot). These transition months in the Galapagos are pretty unique, as they give visitors a proper sense of how dynamic and versatile the Galapagos environment is. During these particular months, you’ll get to notice how sea currents begin to change and, consequently, the vegetation throughout the archipelago starts to flourish or wither. It also affects just how active certain land or sea creatures are. If you’re considering a visit, understanding these seasonal transitions can help you plan the best time to visit Galapagos and make the most of your experience.

When is the best time to see wildlife in the Galapagos?

On land: According to many people, the best time to have close-up encounters with the land flora and fauna is during the hot season. Of course, you could possibly have more pleasant hiking conditions in the dry season, but you will probably see more wildlife activity on land during the hot season. This has a lot to do with the fact that vegetation is flourishing during the hot season in the Galapagos, which makes for a greater food supply for all of the wildlife. For example, during the hot season, marine and land iguanas are at their most colorful (in order to mate), and the Galapagos giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch at the breeding centers on both Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands.

In the water: The best time to visit Galapagos Islands is during the dry season, as the cooler waters (which are rich in nutrients) signal a huge increase in marine activity. During this season, there is usually an increase in bird activity, too. Both the blue-footed boobies and the American flamingos give impressive courtship displays as part of their unique mating rituals. Even though the water can be quite cool during this time, wetsuits are available on each of our vessels to allow you to enjoy the underwater world of Galapagos as much as possible.

Did you know? With our Galapagos packages, we at Metrojourneys guarantee that you will see almost all of the Galapagos’ BIG15 unique species.

When is the best time to do certain activities in the Galapagos?

You will definitely enjoy the raw beauty of the islands at any time of the year. Let’s have a look to see what the best time of the year is to enjoy each Galapagos activity.

• Hiking is the only way you can truly enjoy some of the more timid species on the islands. Visitors must explore the different highlands and coasts to observe the different pockets of species that are scattered throughout the islands. In April and May there are more visitors and simultaneously the vegetation becomes more vibrant and the climate cools. During September and October, there are fewer tourists and more breeze, which means more pleasant hiking conditions, therefore, it might be the best time to go to Galapagos for you.
• Birdwatching is something that you will be into by the time you leave the islands. Whether you are on the islands or a vessel, you will see a huge variety of birdlife. The important thing to remember is that some of the Big15 iconic species can only be seen on specific islands. If you’re wondering about the best time to go to the Galapagos, worth noting, too, is that the Galapagos albatross is only present between May and December of each year. If you hop onto one of the cruise ships, like the Santa Cruz II, Isabela II, and La Pinta, you’ll be able to reach all the best remote hiking spots.
• Snorkeling is the perfect way to observe and interact with the magical world below the waves. The months between July and December may be cooler months, but are really amazing in terms of the variety of active sea life you can see! If you don’t fancy hopping into the water, a completely dry option is our glass-bottom boat, which will allow you to spot marine life without having to put on your swimsuit.
• Other activities vary enormously, from paddleboarding to mountain biking and everything in between. These give you a huge opportunity to explore more sea and land that would usually take you longer to investigate. We offer these activities throughout the year from each of our vessels and also from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel.

What is the best way to book a trip to the Galapagos?

Many travelers to the Galapagos try to organize their trips on their own, from flights to accommodation to individual activities in an attempt to save money. However, they soon find they could have saved time and money by choosing a more comprehensive package. Many tourists find that deposits are non-refundable if they have a last-minute change in plans and that their many excursions don’t do their visit justice to the beauty and uniqueness of the islands. You can imagine this bucket list trip can turn into a stressful nightmare rather quickly in such cases.

There are many different types of accommodation on the islands, but many, like the famous Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, are booked rapidly (especially during peak months) so make sure you book well in advance. The peak months tend to be June, July, and December, but it’s still a good idea to book ahead of time so that you’re not left emptyhanded. The quieter months are May and October when hotels are less occupied and there are smaller overall crowds. If you decide to stay at Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, make sure you plan the activities you wish to do with the same agent so that you are guaranteed to do everything that you wish to do.

If you decide to book a cruise aboard the Isabela II, La Pinta, or the Santa Cruz II then you can tick all of the boxes of top-quality accommodation, professional naturalist guides, incredible meals, and a huge variety of activities both on the water and on land. On a cruise, you can be sure that you’ll see and do most, if not all, of the activities on your wishlist and the bonus of having a 24/7 onboard medical officer. Every single detail will be taken care aboard a cruise too, from food all the way to accommodation and activities.

All in all, the decision of when to visit the Galapagos Islands is up to you and what your timetable allows, as well as what you’d like to see and do. Whatever you do, you should always plan your trip well in advance to make sure you get everything you want. Make sure you work with a well-reviewed travel agency (such as Metrojourneys!) or research every activity and accommodation option to make sure you get the best value for money. Remember: This is your trip! You need to make it the most memorable trip you can.

By carefully choosing the best time of year to visit Galapagos, you can tailor your experience to witness unique wildlife. So, get ready to explore vibrant landscapes, and participate in exciting activities!