When to go to… the Galapagos

With the creation of our Short Tales, we have decided to start a new column. As we move away from the mainstream destinations, it can get difficult to understand which is the best time to go to this or that country. Take the Galapagos Islands for example.

With the creation of our Short Tales, we have decided to start a new column. As we move away from the mainstream destinations, it can get difficult to understand which is the best time to go to this or that country. Take the Galapagos Islands for example. This extraordinary archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, birthplace of Darwin’s theory of evolution, has constant temperatures ranging from 20 to 30°C all year long, the dream! But the migrations and nesting differ from month to month. Whether you are more into turtles or sea lions, red crabs or iguanas, the super eco-friendly Pikaia Lodge tells us when to go to the Galapagos.

EARLY TROPICAL SEASON / JAN-MAR

Galapagos saison tropicale

Air 22-30°C    Water 25°C

The first trimester of the year is the warmest and most suitable for sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear waters. During January, the Galapagos Tortoises start hatching, penguins and Flightless Cormorants are nesting, while the Marine Iguanas begin mating. February is the love season for the magnificent Greater Flamingos and Bahama Pintail Ducks, while in March penguins play in the water next to tropical fishes and the Green Sea Turtles nest.

LATE HOT TROPICAL SEASON / APR-JUNE

Galapagos avril

Air 21-31°C    Water 23-25°C

The second trimester has the most pleasant weather: the intense hot climate begins to cool off but there are still plenty of hours of clear skies. It’s great for snorkeling and swimming. If April is when the eggs of Land Iguanas and Green Sea Turtles begin to hatch, the Blue-Footed Boobies wait until May to have their courtship, as penguins to nest. It’s not until June that the Magnificent Frigate Birds start to inflate their red pouches during nuptial parades, and Giant Tortoises migrate from the highlands and begin nesting.

EARLY SUB-TROPICAL SEASON / JULY-SEPT

Galapagos juillet

Air 19-26°C    Water 18-22°C

The presence of the Humboldt Current makes nutrients in the water more abundant and marine life more active. It’s the best season for whale and dolphin spotting. July is the love season for the Sally Lightfoot Crab, as well as the Flightless Cormorants and the Lava Lizards, which initiate mating rituals. On August, puppy lion seals are born numerous and Giant Tortoises return to the highlands. On September, male lion seals bark and fight constantly and penguins are very active.

LATE SUB-TROPICAL SEASON/ OCT-DEC

Galapagos octobre
Air 20-28°C  —  Water 23°C

The drizzle rain can make the islands disappear from sight, giving them the nickname of “Enchanted islands”. The end of the year is ideal to swim with penguins and see great numbers of Giant Tortoises in the wild. On October, when the Blue-Footed Boobies raise their chicks, the sea lions start mating. November is when the Brown Noddies nest and the sea lion pups play next to the snorkelers. The last month of the year sees the Green Sea Turtles beginning to mate, the Great Frigate birds to inflate their red pouches and the young Waves Albatrosses to fledge.