When to go
The best time to visit the Galápagos
Two seasons, no bad time — the choice is about water, weather and which wildlife behaviour you want to catch.
Galápagos seasons at a glance
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Warm & wet | Dec – May | Calmer, warmer, clearer water (≈23–24°C); peak nesting; occasional short rain |
| Cool & dry (garúa) | Jun – Nov | Cooler, nutrient-rich water (≈19–22°C); more marine activity; misty, overcast |
There isn't really a bad time
The Galápagos is a genuine year-round destination — the park never closes and wildlife is present in every month. The two seasons simply offer different conditions and different wildlife behaviour, so the 'best' time depends on what you most want to do and see.
Warm and wet: December to May
This season brings calmer seas and warmer, clearer water — typically around 23–24°C, comfortable for extended snorkelling, sometimes without a wetsuit. It's also peak nesting and hatching for much of the wildlife, with lush green landscapes between short bursts of rain and plenty of sunshine.
Cool and dry: June to November
The garúa season sees cooler, nutrient-rich water pushed up by the currents — often around 19–22°C, cool enough to want a wetsuit for snorkelling — which fuels heightened marine activity. Skies are mistier and more overcast, and the richer seas draw more feeding activity through the food chain.
How season affects snorkelling specifically
If in-water time is your priority, the warm season's clearer, warmer water is the more comfortable window; if you're chasing peak marine feeding activity and don't mind a wetsuit and cooler surface conditions, the garúa season delivers on abundance. Both seasons offer excellent wildlife encounters overall.
Booking timing matters more than weather
Because visitor sites operate on managed capacity and popular day tours fill up, securing the specific tours you want — especially over holiday periods — tends to matter more to your trip than the season's weather. Booking ahead is the reliable move whichever window you choose.
Still deciding which islands or which season?
Leave your email and your target month — we'll send you the wildlife-and-conditions rundown for that specific window.