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Galapagos
Activities and Events Calendar
January:
Beginning of the rainy season. Land birds start nesting, generally
after the first rain.
On Hood (Española) Island adult marine iguanas become
brightly colored (green & red + black)
The green sea turtles arrive to beaches in the Galapagos for
egg laying period. Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles
on Isabela Island. Both, water and air temperatures rise and
stay warm until June. Ideal time for snorkelling.
February:
On Floreana Island greater flamingos start nesting. Bahama
pintail ducks (Black-tailed pintail) start their breeding
season Nazca (masked) boobies on Hood are at the end of their
nesting season. Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island.
The highest water temperature reaches 25C (77F). This temperature
remains constant until April. Very few penguins are sighted
at Bartolome Island (most have followed the cool waters back
to the west or near up welling areas). Nesting season of the
Galapagos dove reaches its peak.
March:
The rainy season reaches the highest precipitation (this does
not mean it rains everyday). Sporadic tropical rains, intense
sun and hot climate. Air temperature can reach up to 30C (86F).
Humidity is high. Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina. March
21st, the beginning of the summer equinox signals the arrival
of the waved albatross to Espanola. Even the western islands
have warm waters where snorkelling is excellent. Punta Vicente
Roca (Isabela) can be an amazing site. Penguins still active
in the water, next to tropical fish! Some shores, especially
those facing the north side, can receive deep surge (ola de
fondo) coming from the northern currents. Wet landings at
places like Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay, Bartolome can sometimes
be a challenge. Snorkelers will remain long periods of time
in the water by choice, marine life is very active.
April:
Massive arrival of waved albatrosses to Española. 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. While the rains have
ended, the islands quite continue green
Good visibility in the water for snorkelers. Perhaps, together
with May, the best months in Galapagos (for weather, animals,
water temperature).
May:
North Seymour's blue-footed boobies begin their courtship.
Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant,
and Puerto Egas. Most of marine iguanas' eggs hatch from nests
on Santa Cruz Palo santo trees begin to shed their foliage.
Waved albatross on Española start laying their eggs.
Ban-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.
June:
Beginning of the garúa 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. Many red pouches by
males of Magnificent Frigatebirds 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. Some groups of Humpback
whales that migrate up to equatorial latitudes along the coast
of Ecuador can reach the Galapagos too.
July:
Sea bird communities are very active (breeding), specially
the Blue footed boobies on Española.
Flightless cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals
and nesting activities on Fernandina. If you walk along the
shores of Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) you could find American
oystercatchers nesting. Lava lizards initiate mating rituals
until November. Cetaceans (whales & dolphins) are more
likely to be observed, specially off the western coast of
Isabela. Great month to see the four stages of nesting in
Blue footed boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and subadults.
Water temperature does not reach more than 21C (68F).
August:
Galapagos hawks court on Española and Santiago. Nazca
(masked) boobies and Swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa
Island. The temperature of the ocean drops to 18C (64F), 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. Oceans are quite choppy, currents 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) season. The air temperature
reaches its lowest levels (19C-66F)
Galapagos Penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome.
Since May swimmers and snorkelers can be delighted at Bartolome
with penguins active at the surface or torpedo-like while
underwater.
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. The Galapagos Fur Seals
(subspecies of Sea lions) begin their mating period. Blue
footed boobies raise chicks all over Española and Punta
Vicente Roca (Isabela)
Giant tortoises are still laying eggs. Days are not always
sunny. Garúa can be expected in most locations, except
the western islands where most days have a misty start but
after few hours of daylight it burns off. Sunrises in the
west can be quite beautiful after the garúa 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 archipelago.
Breeding season for the brown noddies. Some species of jellyfish
can be seen around the islands.
The genus Physalia is commonly seen floating around Gardner
and Tortuga Islets. Some can also be seen stranded at the
shores of the Flour Beach at Floreana. Band-rumped storm petrels
begin their second nesting period. Seas are calm. South east
trade winds have decreased strength. Water temperatures are
slowly rising. Generally great weather due to transition between
one season and the next one. Good visibility for snorkelers.
Sea lion pups (especially at Champion Islet) play aqua-aerobics
next to snorkelers. Most pups here are curious enough to nibble
at fins of snorkelers. The average age of most pups is 3-4
months.
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 becomes "green". The first young waved
albatrosses fledge. Great weather.
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