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San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Archipelago

Best time to visit the Galapagos Islands

Month-by-month guide of when to visit the Galapagos Islands

Best time to go to the Galapagos Islands

When planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, choosing the best time to visit is crucial for a memorable and rewarding experience.

Weather conditions should also be taken into account when deciding the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands. The dry season, from June to November, brings cooler temperatures and occasional drizzles, but it also offers calmer seas and clearer skies. These conditions are ideal for those prone to motion sickness and for photographers seeking crisp landscapes and vibrant wildlife shots.

Conversely, the warm and wet season, from December to May, brings higher temperatures and occasional rain showers. Although this season offers more lush vegetation and greater marine activity, it's important to note that sea conditions can be rougher during this time.

Wildlife enthusiasts who want to prioritize animal encounters and are flexible with weather conditions should consider visiting during the warm season. However, those seeking calmer seas and more temperate weather might prefer the dry season.

Wildlife is at the heart of any Galapagos journey, and the islands offer year-round opportunities to witness captivating species. However, the timing of your visit can affect the diversity and abundance of the wildlife you may encounter.

For those eager to observe the famous Galapagos tortoises nesting, the warm and wet season between December and June is ideal. This period also coincides with the mating season of sea lions and the arrival of numerous migratory bird species.

To witness avian courtship rituals, such as the famous blue-footed boobies' elaborate dance, plan your visit between May and July. Additionally, marine life, such as sea turtles and hammerhead sharks, is more active during the warm season, providing incredible snorkelling and diving experiences.

If you're interested in observing the waved albatrosses, plan your trip between April and December, with peak activity occurring in July. This is when these magnificent birds return to Española Island for nesting and breeding, which is a remarkable spectacle.

Ultimately, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depends on your preferences and interests. Consider the specific wildlife you wish to observe, your tolerance for varying weather conditions, and the activities you hope to engage in, such as snorkelling, hiking, or photography.

No matter when you choose to visit, the Galapagos Islands promise a captivating and unforgettable experience. Their unique ecosystem, abundant wildlife, and extraordinary landscapes ensure that every moment spent exploring this remarkable archipelago will be truly extraordinary.

Galapagos First Class Day 9

January in the Galapagos Islands

January is part of the warm and wet season in the Galapagos Islands. The ocean waters are at their warmest, making it an excellent time for snorkelling and diving. Sea turtle mating season begins, and green sea turtles can be seen nesting on beaches. Land bird species, such as finches and warblers, are actively courting and nesting.

Galapagos Islands White cheeked pintail duck

February in the Galapagos Islands

February brings peak rainfall and high humidity to the islands. It is an important breeding season for pintail ducks, and you may see flamingos and Galapagos doves nesting. Green sea turtles continue nesting, and the arrival of waved albatrosses on Española Island marks the start of their mating rituals.

Male frigate bird

March in the Galapagos Islands

March still sees occasional rainfall, but temperatures begin to gradually decrease. Land bird breeding activities are in full swing, with lively displays from frigatebirds as the males inflate their red throat sacs. Marine life is abundant, with sea lion pups playing in the water, and snorkellers can encounter playful sea lion colonies.

Blue Footed Booby Galapagos Islands Bird Sula Animals

April in the Galapagos Islands

April marks the end of the warm season, and temperatures start to cool down. The waved albatrosses on Española Island perform their intricate courtship dances, a highlight for bird enthusiasts. Similarly, you can witness the fascinating courtship displays of blue-footed boobies, and frigatebird mating season continues. This is a great time for hikers, as the landscapes are lush and green.

Galapagos albatross on rock

May in the Galapagos Islands

May is an excellent month to visit for birdwatching enthusiasts. The waved albatrosses on Española Island continue their courtship rituals, while other bird species, such as Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants, are more active. Marine life thrives, and snorkelling or diving may allow encounters with sea lions and various fish species.

Galapagos Islands tortoise grass

June in the Galapagos Islands

June marks the beginning of the dry season in the Galapagos Islands. The weather becomes cooler, and the sea is calmer, providing optimal conditions for cruising and water activities. Giant tortoises start to migrate to lower elevations for nesting, and bird colonies are bustling with activity.

Galapagos iguana

July in the Galapagos Islands

July is a peak month for wildlife sightings in the Galapagos Islands. The iconic giant tortoises can be spotted in the wild as they continue nesting and searching for food. Marine life thrives, with snorkelers and divers encountering sea turtles, sharks, rays, and colourful reef fish. It's also a great time to witness the hatching of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.

Galapagos Islands volcanic island

August in the Galapagos Islands

August brings cooler temperatures and offers excellent opportunities for hiking and exploring the islands' unique landscapes. The giant tortoises are still nesting, and you can witness their fascinating behaviour. Marine life is abundant, and snorkellers may come across sea lions, Galapagos penguins, and marine iguanas.

Galapagos Island nesting birds

September in the Galapagos Islands

September marks the beginning of the garúa season, characterized by cool temperatures, overcast skies, and occasional light drizzles. Most sea birds are nesting, so a great time to come and watch them. Sea lion pups are usually seen in larger number around this time, but they are still too small to swim on their own.

Galapagos Island sally light foot crab

October in the Galapagos Islands

October is still part of the garúa season, with cooler temperatures and occasional drizzles. The islands are lush and green, offering stunning landscapes. Land bird species continue breeding, and young chicks, in particular blue-footed booby chicks, can be spotted. Diving conditions are excellent, with clear waters and abundant marine life.

Galapagos sea lion pup 2

November in the Galapagos Islands

November marks the transition from the garúa season to the warm season. The weather starts to warm up, and occasional showers are common. Sea lion pups are playful and curious, offering delightful encounters. Green sea turtles continue nesting, and snorkelling unveils a vibrant underwater world. This is perhaps the best time to try and snorkel with sea lion pups.

Galapagos First Class Day 10

December in the Galapagos Islands

December ushers in the warm and wet season in the Galapagos Islands. The islands receive more rainfall, and the temperatures are higher. This is your chance to try and spot the waved albatross chicks as they learn to fly and leave the islands until March. This is the beginning of green sea turtle nesting season, so female turtles will be on the shoreline, and the end of sea lion mating season, so there is still a chance to see sea lion pups swimming in the oceans.

George W

This was our 2nd trip organised via Far & Wild from Australia - previously Africa and now Sri Lanka. Nia and the rest of the team were great - excellent itinerary, happy to modify the trip based on my suggestions and research, and they handled some last minute changes caused by a health issue without any problems at all. They were very quick to reply to all messages - and the trip went really smoothly. If you want an up-market holiday, this is a great organisation to organise that sort of trip!

December, 2025
Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

August, 2025
Nick and Carly

Thank you to Nia and Far & Wild. My wife and I wanted to go to Vietnam and capture a real taste of the country from top to bottom but didn't have a clue where to start. We weren’t even sure if it was possible. Through speaking to Nia, sharing ideas and asking questions we were able to book what looked to be an extremely exciting trip - we could not wait to go. The reality of the trip more than matched our expectations. We had unforgettable experiences that we would never have been able to organise ourselves. The true value in this trip was that someone who knew what they were doing could give us the experience we truly craved. Well done Nia, it was a holiday we will never forget and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!

November, 2026
Kamal

Had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Chile and Argentina! We were a group of 8 friends - 4 couples. The vans used for our private excursions were very good and spacious. All the ground arrangements were as planned … the guides were very good - their English and knowledge was amazing. They made sure we had a good time. The picnic lunches were served in great locations with fabulous views and setup with tables and table cloths! Highly recommend Far & Wild! Looking to book another trip with them next year!

December, 2025
Lucinda F

Seamlessly organised! Brilliant suggestions of where to go which really gave us a 360 view of Kenya and hit our families need for adventure and mine for a bit of luxury.

November, 2025
Richard S

Alistair took time to understand what we were after and came up with an unforgettable Kenyan safari and beach holiday which we will all remember for a very long time. Real memory making trip with our 10 and 12 year old boys. Exactly what we hoped for and more!

November, 2025
Sue S

Otti organised a superb holiday to Kenya and Seychelles for my husband and I and our 2 adult daughters. It was our first safari and we only had a vague idea about where to start. Otti made the process so simple for us, suggesting an itinerary which she tweaked following discussions about the camps and hotels, and was really quick responding to my many queries; she was friendly, helpful and gave me complete confidence we were in excellent hands throughout. Far and Wild clearly have knowledge about the places they are recommending and work as team to provide the best service - definitely a 10 out of 10 for customer service and organising an amazing holiday for us.

September, 2025
Anonymous client

We can't thank the Far and Wild team enough for the most incredible trip we just had in Kenya. Otti really took into account what we were after and delivered an experience that exceeded all expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime! We had the most beautiful and unique time while on safari at the Instinct of the Mara. We really wanted to visit a camp that took ethical and sustainable practices seriously without compromising on the experience... and wow, it was truly wonderful and special! We'll definitely be returning. Our time at Diani beach was also lovely and very relaxing. Every step of the trip was seamless and we didn't have to worry about a thing. We had 4 domestic flights and a handful of car rides to take and everything was extremely organized and ran smoothly. We can't wait to book our next big trip!! Very grateful.

September, 2025
Claire L

Ben and Tamara at Far & Wild were exceptional in every respect. They offered thoughtful advice, excellent recommendations, and meticulous planning, weaving together their personal connections to help our family transform a collection of ideas into a magnificent six-week adventure. Every detail was handled with care - no transaction overlooked - which is all the more impressive given the complexity of moving three people across four regions of the country by every mode of transport imaginable. Their expertise gave us complete peace of mind and allowed us to simply enjoy the journey. I have already recommended Far & Wild to friends and would not hesitate to do so again.

August, 2025
Steven V

So great to be able to leave the details to the professionals at Far & Wild. Our two-week tour of Buenos Aires and southern Uruguay was pitch-perfect to our requests and goals. Amanda understood clearly what we were after, and crafted an idyllic itinerary with our style of hotels, guided tours, and transfers. Complementing Far & Wild's first-person knowledge of the territory were the excellent resources "on the ground" in Argentina and Uruguay to handle last-minute changes and requests. We've found our travel partner!

November, 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. It was good value for the level of luxury we had.

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps was ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024

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