GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CALENDAR

January

Days are generally sunny with a chance of afternoon tropical showers.  High temperatures are in the mid 80s and low temperatures are in the 70s.  Average sea temperature is 74.

• Beginning of the rainy season
• Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain
• On Espanola the adult male Marine Iguanas become brightly colored
• Galapagos Green Sea Turtles arrives to the beaches of Galapagos to lay their eggs
  
• Land Iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela
• Both, water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June
  
• Ideal time for snorkeling.

February

Days are generally sunny with afternoon tropical showers. The temperatures are at the warmest with daily highs in the high 80s and lows in the mid 70s.  Water temperatures average between 76 and 77.

• On Floreana Flamingos start nesting
• Bahamas Pintail Ducks start their breeding season
• Masked Boobies on Espanola are at the end of their nesting season
• Marine Iguanas nest on Santa Cruz
• The highest water temperature reaches 77F (25C). This temperature remains until April
• Very few Galapagos Penguins are sighted in Bartolome
• The nesting season of the Galapagos Dove reaches its peak

March

The rainiest month of the year with tropical rain showers averaging of 2 inches for the month.  Temperatures remain high with an average high in the mid 80s and low in the mid 70s.  Sea temperatures average 76. 

• The rainy season reaches the highest precipitation
• Sporadic tropical rains, intense sun and hot climate
• Air temperature can reach up to 86F (30C)
• Marine Iguanas nest in Fernandina
• The beginning of the summer equinox signals the arrival of the Waved Albatross to Espanola

April

Tropical rain showers are still frequent with a monthly average of 1.5 inches of rain.  Temperatures begin to cool with an average high in the low 80s and low temperature in the low 70s.  Water temperatures remain at an average of 76.

• Massive arrival of Waved Albatross to Espanola
• Albatross courtship starts
• End of hatching season of the Galapagos Tortoises
• The eggs of the Galapagos Green Sea Turtles begin to hatch
• Land Iguanas hatch on Isabela

May

Tropical rain showers taper off with monthly average of less than an inch of rain.  Temperatures continue to cool with an average high in the low 80s and low temperature in the low 70s.  Water temperatures cool with an average of 74.

• Blue-Footed Boobies on North Seymour begin their courtship
• Galapagos Green Sea Turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas.
• Marine Iguanas eggs hatch from nests on Santa Cruz
• Palo Santo trees begin to shed their foliage
• Albatross on Espanola begin laying eggs
• Band- Rumped Storm Petrels begin their first nesting period

June

The beginning of the cool season temperatures cool the average high is now in the high 70s and a low in the high 60s.  Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures remain with an average of 74.

• Beginning of the garua season
• Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz migrate from the highlands to the lowlands
• Beginning of the nesting season of Galapagos Tortoises

July

Temperatures continue to cool he beginning of the cool seas temperatures cool to a high in the mid 70s and a low in the mid 60s.  Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures cool with an average of 72.

• Sea bird communities are very active, especially the Blue-Footed Boobies on Espanola
• Flightless Cormorants court and nest on Fernandina
• It is possible to find Oyster Catchers nesting on Puerto Egas
• Lava Lizards initiate mating rituals until November
• Whales sightings become more common especially off the West coast of Isabela

August

The coolest month of the year with highs in the low to mid 70s and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures cool with an average of 66.

• The Galapagos Hawks court on Espanola and Santiago
• Nazca Boobies and Swallow-Tailed Gulls nest on Genovesa
• The temperature of the ocean descends to 64F (18 C)
• Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the islands until March
• Galapagos Tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz

September

The peak of garua season when a marine layer covers most of Galapagos.  High temperatures average around 76 and lows in the low 60s. Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures have an average of 68.

• The peak of the cold (garua) season
• The air temperature reaches its lowest 64F (19C)
• Galapagos Penguins demonstrate remarkable activity on Bartolome until December
• Sea lions are very active, especially in the western and central areas of the islands
• Most species of marine birds remain active at their nesting sites

October

Garua season continues with a marine layer covering most of Galapagos.  High temperatures average around 77 and lows in the low to mid 60s. Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures begin to warm with an average of 70.

• Lava Herons nest until March
• Galapagos Fur Seals begin their mating season
• Boobies raise their chicks on Espanola
• Galapagos Tortoises still lay their eggs

November

Garua season continues with a marine layer covering most of Galapagos.  Temperatures begin to raise with an average high around 78 and lows in the mid 60s. Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures begin to warm with an average of 72.

• Sea Lion pups are born
• Sea Lions are sexually active on the eastern part of the archipelago
• Breeding season of Brown Noddies
• Band-Rumped Storm Petrels begin their second nesting period

December

The garua season comes to an end and temperatures rise with an average high around 80 and lows in the high 60s. Rain showers are not frequent this time of year. Water temperatures begin to warm with an average of 74.

• Hatching of the Galapagos Tortoise 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 "turns green"
• The first young Albatross fledge