What wildlife will you see and how long do you need?
From tropical penguins and blue-footed boars to Darwin finches, or male frigate birds that blow their wrinkled necks into impressive red balloons - the Galapagos Islands are an astonishing wildlife haven. While one day you can observe giant tortoises in the highlands, the next day, you’ll be snorkelling with playful sea lions in crystal clear waters or sunbathing next to iguanas on black lava rocks.
Ecuador's Galapagos consists of 13 larger islands and more than 40 small islets. Each island is different and has its own highlights. Because of the distance to the mainland, I’d recommend staying as long as possible (or as long as your budget allows) on the Galapagos to see the full diversity of the islands. Galapagos tours usually takes between 4-12 days, but I think a minimum of 7 days is recommended to fully appreciate nature’s playground.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos?
The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depends on the experience you are looking for. In general, there is no best or worst time as the island group is located on the Equator and the weather is, therefore, suitable for travel all year round. The most popular (and expensive) times to visit are from June to August and mid-December to mid-January.
During the hot, rainy season from December to May, the sea is predominantly quiet, and the daily rain showers often make room for a cloudless sky. Temperatures are usually above 25°C. This is the best time to visit if you are looking for clear snorkelling, colourful fauna and hatching sea turtles.
The Humboldt Current brings cool water temperatures, a drier climate and temperatures around 20-25°C between June and November. The sea is somewhat choppy at this time of year, but it is the most popular period for experienced divers, as the colder water attracts an even greater variety of marine life, such as the hammerhead shark or whale shark. The nourishing current is also very popular with albatrosses and a variety of penguins. If you’re lucky, you can also observe blue-footed boobies in the mating season.