To assist you narrow the time of year to visit the Galapagos Islands, here are some issues to keep in mind:
For those sensitive to motion or sea-sickness, there are two factors to keep in mind: (1) time of year – try to avoid late August through to October – as the seas are generally more turbulent this time of the year; and (2) try to avoid the sailing (or motor sailer) boats – the narrower the boat the more prone it is to rocking in the open waters, while the wider (and heavier) the boat is the more stable it is. The most stable are the large cruise ships and the motor catamarans (i.e., Athala, Anahi, Archipel I & II etc), followed by the wider motor boats and then down to the narrow sailing boats.
For peak high season dates (April, July, August, December & January) it is strongly recommended making reservations (or tentative reservations) in advance to ensure ample cruise options. Leaving arrangements until the last minute may result in limited or no available options. However, it is sometime advantageous to wait until closer your trip (providing you have confirmed ahead fo time that there are an excess of available hotel and/or cruise boat spaces) to take advantage of possible last minute deals and bargains. For this, you need to be prepared to flexible and shop around.
Galapagos is visited all year round, but for warmer water & air temperatures it is best to visit between mid-November through to late April. Generally speaking, the seas are rougher in late September through to the end of October.
The warmest period (air & water temperatures) generally run from November through to April. The coldest (and generally has more turbulent seas) are generally September and October. June through September is normally characterized by the presence of whales in Galapagos (mainly off the coasts of the western islands of Isabela & Fernandina.
February through to April are the most desirable months. During this period, the islands not only adopt an emerald-green color, and turn humid and balmy warm, but many species start reproducing now.
- calmest waters;
- the hottest period in Galapagos;
- the islands are generally a lush green due to high humidity & scattered showers;
- most animals are in the height of reproduction, courting and/or nesting;
- Reproduction of land reptiles, as well as land birds.
