Best Time to Visit Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands straddle the equator, giving the archipelago a relatively tropical climate, with two seasons instead of the typical four. It also means the islands are scattered, with some in the Northern Hemisphere, some in the South Hemisphere, and even Isla Isabela and Volcan Wolf landing on the equatorial line.

Every month in the dry or rainy season has its merits and captivating possibilities for you to experience, but this list gives you some pointers for the best months to visit based on your travel goals.

Dry Season: July • August • September

The climate in the Galapagos is much cooler in the dry season, creating an excellent breeding environment for the wildlife, especially between July and September. This is one of the best times for wildlife viewing because of the newborn animals and wealth of food that supports the crowds of wildlife. This as the strong seasonal current brings swarms of small fish and plankton to the surrounding waters.

Rainy Season: February • March • April • May

The rainy season is a fantastic time to visit the Galapagos Islands, especially between February and May. The weather is typically warm, the waters are much calmer than in the dry season, and the mixture of moisture and heat coincides with the sea turtle and sea lion mating season. Beyond the animals, the weather also brings life filled with color across the islands as flowers blossom against the crystal-clear Pacific Ocean.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April • May

The Galapagos are dynamic and unique all year round, but December to May represent the best time of the year to visit, offering a great combination of the weather, sea conditions, and wildlife viewing. The rainy season is an ideal time to experience the calm waters that support active wildlife and allow for adventures like hiking or kayaking.

These are also the best months for you to take a cruise to visit multiple islands. The weather of Ecuador may not directly impact the travel season in the Galapagos, but can add to your adventure if you choose to further explore the Amazon or Andes. The climate shifts greatly between the regions, but December to May is generally warm and wet.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April • May

The best time to take a cruise around the Galapagos Islands is between December and May. A Galapagos cruise is one of the best ways to see the variety of islands for a broad reach into the wildlife and scenery. A cruise is an exciting way to travel around the Galapagos Islands and creates opportunities to visit shores farther from the typical arrival island of San Cristobal.

Once you get into the dry season, the current starts to change dramatically. Sea conditions can be a concern for a cruise, especially if you tend to get seasick. The currents are strongest from June to September, which is excellent for viewing marine life, but not ideal for a cruise.

Best Months: February • March • April • May

The Galapagos beaches are not your stereotypical coastlines. The islands offer unique tropical sands perfect for a break from wildlife viewing, especially between February and May. While these months technically fall into the regional rainy season, the weather is warm and any showers typically fall in the afternoon.

Best Months: June • July • August • September

The Galapagos Islands are a fantastic destination for scuba diving throughout the year, but June to September brim with active wildlife. Four different ocean currents connect around the archipelago, bringing together tropical and temperate conditions, and a variety of marine life. The currents are strongest from June to September for ideal snorkeling and scuba conditions, bringing the likes of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and over 400 species of fish to the forefront of your maritime adventure. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Ecuador and the Galapagos, you can find plenty of things to do.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April • May

December to May is generally the best time of year to hike in the Galapagos Islands. These months fall under the rainy season's umbrella, but in reality, showers are usually frequent, but short, with the sun shining brightly on most days.

Not only are the conditions tremendous, but it is also mating season for birds, sea lions, and sea turtles, as well as time for the foliage to blossom, resulting in a much livelier hike with even more for you to see for an unforgettable addition to the places you should visit in Ecuador and the Galapagos during your trip.

Best Months: December • January • April • May

The rainy months from December to May give you the sea turtles of the Galapagos. Green sea turtles often mate in shallow waters by December, lay their eggs on the beach by January, and hatch from April to May. By visiting within these months, you are certain to see some green sea turtle activity, one of the most popular wildlife activities in the Galapagos.

Best Months: December • January • April • June • August

The famous giant tortoise is most active between December and January, again from April to June, and finally in August on the Galapagos Islands. The activity of the giant tortoises depends as much on the weather as on the island on which they live, with hatchings beginning in December and ending in April, as well as migrations from the highlands to the lowlands and back again in June and August, respectively.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April • May

The rainy season is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands as a family, specifically between December to May with kids ages six and up.

As you take in certain considerations, like a cruise versus a land-based trip, it’s much easier to navigate the calmer water in the rainy season and warm, bright days account for a majority of the weather, with typically short and scattered showers.

For an even more memorable family adventure, you can visit between April or May to see the blue-footed booby mating ritual, when the birds mimic each other by hopping from one foot to the other.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April • May

The cooler months of the dry season are ideal times for seniors to visit the Galapagos Islands. By avoiding the warmer periods of the year, you can indulge in the full beauty of the scenery and wildlife from January to May and again in December.

The cooler weather makes it much easier to walk the varied landscapes and spot wildlife, from birds to seals, rather than feeling relegated to the boat or shoreline due to the seasonal heat. Whether on a Galapagos tour for seniors or an island cruise for seniors, you can enjoy the experience much more during the pleasant weather conditions that last from December to May.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April • May

The Galapagos Islands are ideal for couples, embodying romance in their seclusion, with warm, tropical weather between December to May. The warmer temperatures also signal the arrival of mating birds, sea lions, turtles, and tortoises, showing how love can fill the air in different ways, including the courtship ritual of the blue-footed booby. Rare wildlife, the paradisiacal Pacific, and the luxurious possibilities make the Galapagos an exclusive yet charming destination for couples.

Best Months: June • July • August •  September • November

Visiting the Galapagos Islands during the dry season of June to November only underlines the sense of adventure and nature’s raw power. The hot weather makes diving into the Pacific the perfect escape from the tropical heat, as well as the best immersion into the underwater world of the archipelago’s hundreds of different fish species.

Activities: Snorkeling • Scuba Diving • Sea Kayaking • Wildlife Viewing

Best Months: December • January • March • April • May

The intense sun and scattered tropical rains make the rainy season in the Galapagos Islands, December and May, a great time to dig deeper into the adventures found across the archipelago. From marine iguanas to albatrosses, rambunctious penguins to hatching tortoises, the rainy season gives you a wide variety of land and sea experiences. with calm waters and generally idyllic tropical weather.

Activities: Hiking • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing • Beach

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are famous for their pristine conditions and untouched wildlife, bonded to the iridescent and tropical Pacific Ocean. Knowing what to do and where to go can only support your best time to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos, and Zicasso’s Ecuador and Galapagos travel guide has plenty of helpful tips and information for your perfect trip.

You can also find new ideas on how to fully embrace your experience with our Galapagos Islands vacations and Ecuador tours.