Also known as the “Enchanted Islands”, the Galapagos Islands is a paradise where animals have no fear of man; it is a magical realm where creatures seem to be enchanted. They have fantastic, unique and fascinating forms with behaviors impossible to find anywhere else in the world.
Due to the uniqueness of the archipelago UNESCO declared the Galapagos Islands a World Natural Heritage.
Biodiversity thrived in a territory of volcanic material that emerged from the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean millions of years ago. Cormorants forgot to fly, iguanas learned to swim, turtles became gigantic, and sharks mild. This is a place where sea lions show off their swimming skills and blue-footed boobies perform their elegant two-step mating dance right in front of you. The archipelago is located in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles, or 965 km, off the Ecuadorian mainland. Its wonders include impressive geological formations, old and new outcrops, various types of cones and tunnels formed by underground streams and currents.
White, red and black sand beaches with extraordinary landscapes highlight the diversity of life itself. This is where Charles Darwin was inspired to draw up his theory on evolution and the origin of species and here is what visitors can expect throughout the year:
January
- Espanola’s marine iguanas get a bright coloring to attract mates
- Marine and land iguanas courtship period
- Green sea turtles start laying eggs
- Hatching of giant tortoises eggs
- Weather: wet and humid
February
- Greater flamingos start nesting on Floreana Island
- Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island
- Penguins migrate away from Bartolome Island to cooler waters of Isabela and Fernandina Islands
- Weather: rainy season
March
- Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina and North Seymour Islands
- Frigate birds mating season starts on San Cristobal and Genovesa Islands
- Weather: wet and humid; perfect time for snorkeling
April
- Rainy season comes to an end
- Water temperature is the highest
- Sea turtles, marine iguanas, and land iguanas nesting
- Waved albatross come back to Espanola Island and begin nesting
- Due to the lack of rain during April and May, the arid zone changes from green to brown; only on the highlands remain green
May
- Waved albatross lay eggs on Espanola Island
- Blue-footed boobies begin their world-known courtship
- Weather: fine and clear
June
- Whale sharks could be seen in the northwestern islands toward the end of the month
- Santa Cruz giant tortoises migrate to lowlands searching for good nesting places
- Humpback whales can be seen around the islands
- Weather: misty and dry, known for its clear skies and mid-day showers
July
- Nesting season for blue-footed boobies, American oystercatchers, waved albatross, and flightless cormorants
- Start of sea lion breeding season
- Lava lizards mating season
- Weather: July and August are the months with strongest winds
August
- Frigatebird chicks are hatching
- Sea lions give birth during this time
- Giant tortoises go back to the highlands after laying their eggs
- Weather: still in rainy season
September
- You can spot Galapagos penguins during their courtship on Bartolome Island
- Sea birds at nesting sites can be seen
- A good month to observe baby sea lions
- Weather: peak of “garua” (mist-like rain) season
October
- Blue-footed booby chicks can be seen on Espanola and Isabela Islands
- Lava herons start nesting
- Galapagos fur sea lions mating season
- Weather: average temperature is 71ºF (22ºC)[/list]
November
- Chance of seeing whale sharks in the far northwest of the islands
- Green sea turtle mating season starts
- Great for swimming and snorkeling with baby sea lions
- Weather: clear and warmer; average temperature is 73ºF (23ºC)
December
- It marks the start of the warm season in the islands
- Baby giant tortoises start hatching
- Waved albatross nesting season is ending
- Marine and land iguanas begin mating
- Sea lions and fur sea lions breeding
- Weather: sunshine!
