Best time to visit Galapagos

December to May. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

December to May

Most sources point to the warm, calm-water season from December to May, with February to April called the sweet spot. Several say any month works.

“The best time to visit the Galápagos Islands is between December and April for calm, warm waters” jacadatravel.com
“The best time to visit the Galápagos Islands is generally from December to May” kimkim.com
“The best period to visit Galapagos is at the beginning of the year, from January to May” galapagoscenter.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

Galapagos month by month

Average high and low in Galápagos Islands, and days with rain

Best timeJanuary85°F / 73°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…The wet, warm season has begun and rain is starting to increase, though it is still a good time to visit.Holiday crowds start to thin out as the rainy season begins.Sea turtles begin arriving to lay eggs.
Best timeFebruary87°F / 74°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Clear, calm, warm water makes February good for snorkelling.Carnaval in February draws larger crowds.Carnaval runs six days, with the main parade at Tortuga Bay.
Best timeMarch87°F / 73°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…March is one of the wettest and hottest months.Rain is expected on most days, but the heat makes it feel tropical.Landings at some sites such as Puerto Egas and Gardner Bay can be challenging.
Best timeApril86°F / 73°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…The rainy season begins to end in April.The islands look green and lush after the rains as the heat eases.April sits between seasons, with lighter crowds than the holiday peaks.
Best timeMay85°F / 73°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…Rainfall has dropped sharply and water starts cooling.May sits between seasons, with lighter crowds than the holiday peaks.May 24 is a national holiday for the Battle of Pichincha.
June82°F / 71°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…June is very dry and the garua mist season starts, with chilly highland mornings.June starts the whale season and is good for birding.June to August is peak crowd time in the dry season.
July80°F / 69°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…July is cool and dry, with morning mists burning off at low elevations.Ocean currents are stronger and the water keeps cooling.Whale sharks move toward Wolf and Darwin islands in July.
August78°F / 68°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…Waters are cool and choppy, so larger boats suit people prone to sea-sickness.August is the coolest month, with an average daily high of 74 F.Seas are choppier from August through October.
September78°F / 68°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…September stays cool and dry with chilly water and choppy seas.It is the final month to spot dolphins and whales.Crowds are lighter from September through November.
October79°F / 68°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…October is much like September, cool and dry with slightly choppy water.Temperatures start to rise from October toward December.Good month to spot sea lion pups and booby chicks on Espanola and Isabela.
November81°F / 70°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Temperatures rise and winds die down, giving calm cruising conditions.November sits between seasons, with lighter crowds than the holiday peaks.
Best timeDecember82°F / 71°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…The warm season arrives with calm water, good for snorkelling and cruising.Some showers can creep in toward the end of the month.December and January coincide with the highest tourist numbers of the year.

Weather: Galápagos Islands averages (1981 to 2010 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Baltra from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

December and January, plus Carnaval in FebruaryHoliday crowds and the highest tourist numbers of the year.
June to AugustPeak crowds in the dry season, per one source.

Quietest

September to NovemberFewer crowds, and good for diving and sunrises.
April, May and NovemberBetween seasons with lighter crowds than the holiday peaks.

Watch for

August to OctoberChoppier seas.
MarchHighest heat and most rain, and some landings are hard.
June to NovemberCooler water, so a wetsuit helps for longer snorkels.
Season datesOne source lists the dry season as July to January and the wet season as January to July, which conflicts with the others.

Questions people ask

Can you swim in the Galapagos?: Yes. The warm season has warm water and good visibility, which one source calls among the best times for swimming and snorkeling.

Best time to visit Galapagos

December to May

Galapagos month by month

Every date to Baltra from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Galapagos

December to May

Galapagos month by month

Every date to Baltra from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places