Galapagos Islands Wildlife Calendar
In the unique Galapagos archipelago, every month is different, bringing new challenges and exciting milestones. We've put together a wildlife calendar to help you decide when to visit these incredible islands.
Follow in Darwin’s footsteps and discover what makes this volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador so special.
On a voyage of discovery around the Galapagos Islands, you will meet a huge variety of wildlife that has had no experience of man's existence and therefore has never feared it. Limited number of visitors are able to observe and photograph at remarkably close range.
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San Cristóbal Island - Roca León Dormido (Galápagos), Bartolome Island - Santiago Island, Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) - Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island), Cale
San Cristóbal Island (Galápagos), El Barranco - Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island), North Seymour Island - Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island), Mangle Point (Fernandina Island) -
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UK - Quito (Ecuador), Baltra Island, Punta Vicente Roca - Fernandina, Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Research Station, Floreana - Champion Islet - Cormorant Point,
UK - Quito (Ecuador), Baltra Island, Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve - Punta Pitt, Santa Fe - South Plaza Island, Santa Cruz Island, Española - Gardner Bay, Eden Isle
Baltra Island (Galápagos), Mosquera Island, Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, Puerto
Quito, Baltra Island, Galápagos, Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island, Galápagos, Fernandina Island, Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, I
Baltra Island, Galápagos, Mosquera Island, Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos, Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Santa Fé Is
Quito, Baltra Island, Galápagos, Mosquera Island, Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos, Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Sant
San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Roca León Dormido, Bartolome Island, Santiago Island, Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island, Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, Caleta Tag
San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Roca León Dormido, El Barranco, Genovesa Island, Galápagos, Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island, Galápagos, North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Su
Baltra Island (Galapagos Islands) - Daphne Island, Espanola Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island - Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Islan
Quito (Ecuador), Quito - Baltra Island (Galapagos) - Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island - Lima (Peru), Lima - Callao, Puerto General San Martin, Antofa
The Galapagos Islands are in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador on the equator, and also cooled by the Humboldt Current, which makes them suitable for both hot and cold weather flora and fauna. The islands were designated a National Park in 1959 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Numbers of visitors are limited, giving a sense of freedom and adventure as like-minded travellers can observe the wildlife, explore the wilderness of the islands and also take time to relax on golden beaches.
Most of the cruises operate nimble zodiac boats to take passengers to shore, with some offering kayaking trips to get even closer to the natural beauty and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.
It is easy to see why the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin almost two centuries ago. The unique flora and fauna is captivating. There are 25 native reptile species, 19 of which are endemic, as well as 154 species of birds. The flora is no less impressive, with an incredible 1432 plant species which thrive in the desert-like conditions.
The wildlife varies by island and location. The Western Galapagos islands include Bartolomé and Fernandina. These islands are home to giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, sea lions and manta rays, to name but a few. The Northern and Central islands of the Galapagos archipelago include Rabida and Santa Cruz. Keep an eye out for red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as marine iguanas and sea lions.
The most densely populated island of Santa Cruz is the home of the Charles Darwin Research Centre, where there is the opportunity to learn more about the preservation of this distinctive wildlife habitat. Travel up into the lush highlands to see lava tunnels, the Twin Craters and giant tortoises foraging for food.
Santiago island is home to land and marine iguanas that bask on the long, lava shoreline, and offers the chance to explore tide pools and meet Galapagos fur seals.
The famous Pinnacle Rock towers over the mangroves and golden sands of Bartolomé, where it is possible to snorkel with penguins and see white tipped reef sharks.
The largest of the islands, Isabela, boasts 5 active volcanoes as well as salt water lagoons full of flamingos, and a beautiful shoreline with dolphins, whales, sea turtles and the ocean sunfish – mola mola.
Fernandina is the youngest of the islands, a place to see evolution in action with the flightless cormorant. It is also a haven for the marine iguana, whilst Floreana island is snorkelling heaven, home to a large colony of sea lions.
Espanola island is a fabulous island of boobies, doves and mocking birds, and is the only nesting place of the waved albatross.
In the unique Galapagos archipelago, every month is different, bringing new challenges and exciting milestones. We've put together a wildlife calendar to help you decide when to visit these incredible islands.
JANUARY
This is the marine and land iguanas courtship period, during which the marine iguanas get a bright colouring to attract the males. It is also the month when green sea turtles and hatching giant tortoises start to lay their eggs.
FEBRUARY
On Floreana Island, greater flamingos begin to nest, while on Santa Cruz Island the marine iguanas begin to do the same. Penguins migrate from Bartolomé Island to the cooler waters of Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
MARCH
On Floreana Island, marine iguanas nest, and mating season begins for frigate birds on San Cristobal and Genovesa. March is also the perfect time for snorkelling with the wealth of marine life.
APRIL
Water temperatures are at their highest, and it is nesting time for sea turtles, marine iguanas and land iguanas. Waved albatross return to Espanola Island to nest.
MAY
On Espanola Island, waved albatrosses begin to lay their eggs, while the blue-footed boobies begin their famous courtship.
JUNE
In the waters surrounding the North Western islands it is possible to observe whale sharks towards the end of the month. On Santa Cruz Island, giant tortoises migrate to the lowlands in search of the perfect nesting sites. It is also possible to see humpback whales gliding through the waters.
JULY
It is nesting season for blue-footed boobies, American oystercatchers, waved albatrosses and flightless cormorants. It is also the start of the breeding season for sea lions. Meanwhile, for lava lizards it is mating season.
AUGUST
Frigate bird chicks begin to hatch, sea lions give birth to their young, and giant tortoises return to the higher lands after laying their eggs.
SEPTEMBER
On Bartolomé Island, Galapagos penguins perform their courtship rituals, and it is possible to observe baby sea lions.
OCTOBER
Blue-footed boobie chicks roam around Espanola and Isabela Islands, lava herons begin to nest, and mating season begins for Galapagos fur seals.
NOVEMBER
Mating season commences for green sea turtles, and it is the perfect time to swim and snorkel with baby sea lions.
DECEMBER
Warm season comes to an end as baby giant tortoises begin to hatch, and nesting season draws to a close for waved-albatross. Meanwhile, marine and land iguanas begin to mate, and sea lions start to breed.