GALAPAGOS CALENDAR OF NATURAL EVENTS


JANUARY
  • The rainy season begins.
  • Ideal time for snorkeling.
  • Land birds start to nest, usually after the first rains.
  • The temperature of the air and the water rises and it stays warm until June.
  • On Española Island: adult marine iguanas become nicely colored.
  • The green sea turtles arrive on beaches to lay eggs.
  • Land iguanas begin to breed on Isabela Island.
FEBRUARY
  • Nesting season for the Galapagos dove reaches its highest point.
  • On Floreana Island the greater flamingos start to nest.
  • Masked boobies on Hood are at the end of their nesting season.
  • The water reaches it highest temperature of 25C (77F). This temperature remains constant until April.
  • Several penguins are seen on Bartolome Island.
  • Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island.
MARCH
  • Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina.
  • Wet landing can be a challenge at places like Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay and Bartolome.
  • The rainy season reaches its highest pointy (not necessarily means that rains all day).
  • Snorkeling can be done for longer periods due to the water temperatures.
  • The air temperature can rise up to 30C (86F). Humidity is high.
  • Around mid-march is the beginning of summer time and marks the arrival of the waved albatross on Española.
APRIL
  • Green sea turtles’ eggs begin to hatch.
  • Good visibility under water while snorkeling.
  • Massive arrival of the waved albatross on Española.
  • One of the best months in Galapagos due to its weather, water temperature and wildlife.
  • End of the breeding season of the giant tortoises.
  • Eggs of land-iguanas start to hatch on Isabela.
  • The rain season end, but the islands stay green.
MAY
  • One of the best months in Galapagos due to its weather, water temperature and wildlife.
  • Water begins to get colder by mid-may.
  • Waved albatrosses on Española start to lay their eggs.
  • North Seymour's blue-footed boobies start their breeding season.
  • Sea turtles are still breeding on Gardner Bay and Punta Cormorant.
  • The Palo Santo trees start to lose their leaves.
JUNE
  • Southern migrants have started their journey to the North. Galapagos is a resting place for such birds. Some cetaceans follow the same patron.
  • Currents become stronger. The seas are wilder with bigger waves.
  • Beginning of the “garua” season (intermittent rains).
  • Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands looking for the best places for their nests.
  • Many red pouches of great male frigate birds are seen on North Seymour.
  • Some groups of humpback whales that migrate to the equator along the coasts of Ecuador can reach Galapagos.
  • Clouds begin forming on the mayor Islands.
JULY
  • Water temperature does not pass 21c (68F).
  • Seabirds are very active (breeding), especially the blue-footed boobies on Española.
  • “Cetaceans” (whales & dolphins) are seen more often, especially at the West coast of Isabela.
  • Cormorants show marvellous mating rituals on Fernandina.
  • Lava lizards start with their mating rituals until November.
  • Great month to see the four stages of the nesting of the Blue-footed boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and sub-adults.
AUGUST
  • Migrating coastal birds begin to arrive and stay on the island.
  • The “popping” season (birth) of the sea lions starts, especially on the Western and Central Islands.
  • Galapagos hawks mate on Española and Santiago (James).
  • Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz after nesting.
  • Masked boobies and Swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island.
  • The temperature of the ocean drops to 18C (64F).
  • Oceans are quite unpredictable; currents are at their strongest level.
SEPTEMBER
  • Most seabirds stay quite active on their nesting places.
  • The air temperature reaches its lowest points (19C-66F).
  • Galapagos penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome.
  • Swimmers on Bartolome can enjoy the penguins swimming around them.
  • The highest point of the cold season.
  • Sea lions are very active. Females have reached the estrus stage and because of this males are constantly barking and fighting.
OCTOBER
  • Giant Tortoises are still laying eggs.
  • Blue-footed boobies raise their chicks on Española and Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela).
  • Lava herons start to nest until March.
  • The Galapagos sea lions begin their mating period.
  • Sunrises can be very beautiful after the garua covers several locations of the Western volcanoes.
  • Days are not always sunny. Garua can be expected at most of the locations, except for the Western Islands where the days start foggy but after a couple of hours the sun takes over.
  • The summits are clear, but low hanging haze covers the coastal lines.
NOVEMBER
  • In general great weather because of the transition of one season to another. The birth of young sea lions is still happening.
  • Sea lions are sexually active on the Eastern part of the Archipelago.
  • "Band-rumped storm petrels" start their second nesting period.
  • Seas are calm. The temperature of the water rises slowly.
  • Good visibility under water for snorkeling.
  • The young sea lions (especially on Champion Islet) play aqua-aerobics next to the snorkelers.
  • Some types of jellyfish can be seen around the islands. The ‘genus Physalia’ is generally seen floating around Gardner and Tortuga Islets.
DECEMBER
  • The first waved albatrosses are raised.
  • The eggs of the giant tortoises start to hatch.
  • Great weather conditions.
  • The rainy season starts, all plants of the dry zone start to produce leaves.
  • Galapagos becomes greenish.