Galapagos Attractions

JANUARY

• Beginning of the rainy season.
• Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain.
• On Espanola Island (Hood) adult marine iguanas become brightly colored (green, red and black)
• The green sea turtles arrive to beaches in the Galapagos Islands for the egg laying period.
• Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela Island.
• The water on the sea and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June.
• It is the best time for snorkeling.

FEBRUARY

• On Floreana Island greater flamingos start nesting.
• Bahama pintail ducks (Black-tailed pintail) start their breeding season.
• Nazca boobies (formerly masked) on Espanola Island are at the end of their nesting season.
• One of the best Galapagos attractions is seeing Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island
• The highest water temperature reaches 25 C (77 F). This temperature remains constant until April and May.
• Very few penguins are sighted at Bartolome Island (most have followed the cool waters back to the west or near upwelling areas)
• Nesting season of the Galapagos dove reaches its peak.

MARCH

• The rainy season reaches the highest precipitation (but this does not mean it rains everyday)
• Sporadic tropical rains, enjoy intense sun and hot climate. The air temperature can reach up to 30 C (86 F). The humidity is high but perfect for swimming.
• Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina.
• March 21st, is considered the beginning of the summer equinox, it signals the arrival of the waved albatross to Española.
• The western Islands have warm waters where snorkeling is excellent. Punta Vicente Roca at Isabela Island is an amazing Galapagos Landscape

  Experience observing Galapagos Penguins still active in the water, next to tropical Galapagos Fish which is another of the fascinating Galapagos Attractions you must not miss.

• Some shores, specially those facing the north side, can receive deep surge (bottom wave) coming from the northern currents. Wet landings at places like Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay, Bartolome can sometimes be a challenge.
• Snorkelers will have the chance to enjoy long periods of time in the water.

APRIL

• There will be massive arrival of waved albatrosses to Espanola and the amazing courtship starts.
• End of hatching season of the giant tortoises.
• Eggs of green sea turtles begin to hatch.
• Eggs of land iguanas hatch on Isabela Island
• Even though the rains have ended, the islands keep to continue with green lush vegetation.
• There is good visibility in the water to practice snorkeling.
• Perhaps April, together with May are the best months in the Islands. Galapagos attractions such as: great weather, best wildlife and nice water temperature can be enjoyed to its maximum extent.

MAY

• Blue-footed boobies begin their courtship at North Seymour Island
• Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant, and Puerto Egas.
• Most of marine iguanas' eggs hatch from nests located on Santa Cruz Island.
• Palo santo trees begin to shed their foliage in the Islands.
• The Waved albatross on Espanola Island start laying their eggs.
• Ban-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.

JUNE

• Beginning of the garúa (fog) season.
• Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places.
• Beginning of the nesting season of giant tortoises.
• South east trade winds return. Currents become a bit stronger. Seas pick up in surge and wave action which is great for Galapagos Surfing
• Male Magnificent Frigatebirds start to inflate their red pouches on North Seymour.
• Southern migrants have started their journey towards the north.

  Galapagos is a rest stop for such birds. Some species of cetaceans also follow this pattern of migration.

• Observing groups of Humpback Whales is one of the most spectacular Galapagos attractions.

  They migrate up to equatorial latitudes along the coast of Ecuador and sometimes can reach the Galapagos Islands too.

JULY

• Sea bird communities are very active (breeding), specially the Blue Footed Boobies on Espanola Island. Flightless cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals and nesting activities on Fernandina Island.
• If you walk along the shores of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island you could find American oyster catchers nesting.
• Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November.
• Cetacean Whales and dolphins are more likely to be observed, specially off the western coast of Isabela Island.
• Great month to see the four stages of nesting in Blue footed boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and sub adults.
• the water temperature does not reach more than 21 C (68 F)

AUGUST

• Galapagos Hawks court on Española Island and on Santiago Island
• Nazca boobies and Swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island.
• The temperature of the ocean drops to 18 C (64 F), which obviously varies according to the geographic zones among the Islands.
• Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the Islands until March.
• Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
• The ocean is quite irregular, currents are at the strongest levels, surge can be expected along the shores that face west or south.
• Pupping season (births) of sea lions has started. Western and central Islands are common places for such sightings.

SEPTEMBER

• Peak of the cold garúa (fog) season.
• The temperature in Galapagos reaches its lowest levels 19 C (66 F)
• Galapagos Penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome Island. One of the best Galapagos attractions during this month is swimming and snorkeling at Bartolome Island surrounded with penguins.
• Sea lions are very active. Females have reached estrus stage, and so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting. Shore fighting is heavy.

  Western and central Islands are the most active ones in terms of sea lions' activities.

• Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites.

OCTOBER

• Lava herons start nesting until March.
• Galapagos Fur Seals begin their mating period.
• Blue footed boobies raise chicks all over Espanola Island and Punta Vicente Roca at Isabela Island.
• Giant tortoises are still laying eggs.
• Days are not always sunny. Garua (little rain) can be expected in most locations, except the western islands where most days have a misty start but after few hours of daylight the weather is beautiful.
• Sunrises are also part of Galapagos attractions. In the west can be quite stunning after the garua covers only certain locations of the western volcanoes. Summits are clear, but low-lying fog covers the shoreline.

NOVEMBER

• Pupping of sea lions continue.
• Sea lions are sexually active on the eastern part of the Galapagos archipelago.
• Breeding season for the brown noddies starts.
• Some species of jellyfish can be seen around the islands. The genus Physalia is commonly seen floating around Gardner and Tortuga Islets.

  Admiring the beauty of the Galapagos Flamingo specially at Floreana Island is also one of the greatest Galapagos attractions.

• Band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period.
• The sea is calm. South east trade winds have decreased strength. Water temperatures are slowly starting to rise.
• Generally great weather due to transition between one season and the next one.
• Good time and visibility for snorkelers.
• Sea lion pups (specially at Champion Islet) play aqua-aerobics next to snorkelers. Most pups here are curious enough to nibble at fins of snorkelers.

DECEMBER

• Hatching of giant tortoise's eggs begins and lasts until April.
• Green Sea Turtles display their mating behavior.
• The rainy season begins, all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves. Galapagos suddenly becomes to look green.
• And the great weather in Galapagos starts once again...

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