When to go to the Galapagos Islands

A nature lover’s delight, a visit to the unique and spectacular Galapagos Islands is a fantastic opportunity to see ‘evolution in action.’ Hailed as the ‘laboratory of evolution’ because Darwin based his theory of natural selection in part due to his research of the Galapagos, these tiny volcanic islands off the Ecuador Coast, offer tourists the ideal opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. And though the number of wildlife and plant species here are rather small, it is their variety and differences that these islands celebrate.

If you wish to visit the Galapagos, there is no real best time to go, as the weather out here is pleasant and lovely throughout the year. The peak tourist period is mainly from June to August. However, a lot of people also visit the islands around the Easter season and between the months of December and January. With accessibility to the amazing flora and fauna year round, any time you visit you will be treated to school of whales and dolphins swimming by, birds flying overhead, giant tortoises lumbering about and colorful iguanas scurrying all over the place.

If you wish to visit the islands during the low season, try coming between the months of June and November, which is ‘garua’ season. This period is known as garua because a fine mist constantly falls, keeping the vegetation on the islands lush and green. If you plan on visiting in December or January be aware that you may not get the chance to see the beautiful waved albatross that leave the islands during the month of December and only come back somewhere in late March.

There is a wet season in the Galapagos that lasts from January to June, but the weather during these months is usually pleasant with warm sun shine and only intermittent showers or downpours. February is the hottest month on the islands, with the sea being fairly calm and the water temperature a comfortable 24 degrees centigrade, ideal for snorkeling in.

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