Climate guide for Galapagos, Ecuador

Best Time to Visit
Galapagos

How to read the score (0–10)
05810
UnfavorableGoodOptimal

About Galapagos

June-November is the sweet spot: snorkel with sea lions, hike lava fields, and cruise between islands. Cooler dry-ish months often calm seas for wildlife encounters.

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Travel Tips

Transit Control Card & Park Fee
Pay the national park fee and obtain the Transit Control Card before or on arrival. Keep both documents handy for island hops - rules are enforced at airports and docks.
Cruise vs Island-Hopping
Liveaboard cruises reach remote landing sites; land-based stays on Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal cost less but need day tours for top wildlife. Book reputable operators - last-minute deals exist but quality varies.
Biosecurity Rules
Do not bring fresh produce, seeds, or soil between islands. Stay on marked trails, keep distance from animals, and never touch or feed wildlife - fines apply and ecosystems are fragile.
Cash & Connectivity
ATMs are limited and often empty; carry US dollars in small bills. Internet is slow outside main towns - download offline maps and confirm cash needs with your boat or hotel before departure.

Things to do in Galapagos

Galapagos, Ecuador. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

When to visit Galapagos: the short answer

The best time to visit Galapagos is August, followed by September, October. Those months combine the most usable temperatures with the fewest lost days to rain: August averages 22°C with 5 mm of rain and about 24 sunny days. The months to avoid unless you have a specific reason are March, April. If budget matters more than perfect weather, April is the strongest of the low-rate months at 7/10.

Across the year Galapagos swings from 22°C in September to 27°C in March, a 6-degree spread, while rainfall ranges from 5 mm in August to 67 mm in March. That is the whole planning problem in one sentence: Galapagos is not equally good year-round, and the difference between the best and worst month here is 3 points on a 10-point scale.

Warmest month: March (27°C). Coolest: September (22°C). Driest: August (5 mm). Wettest: March (67 mm).

Galapagos month by month

January in Galapagos — reliably good (8th best month)

Good · 7.9/10

January averages 25°C (76°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 15 mm for the month, with about 28 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight to work with.

It scores 7.9/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 9.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

February in Galapagos — reliably good (10th best month)

Good · 7/10

February averages 26°C (79°F) with humidity around 80%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

Expect 43 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 27 sunny days and 12 daylight hours.

It scores 7/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 9.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, August is materially better in Galapagos — 2.2 points higher on the same scale.

March in Galapagos — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.2/10

March averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 78%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

Rainfall runs 67 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 29 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight.

It scores 6.2/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 9.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, August is materially better in Galapagos — 3 points higher on the same scale.

April in Galapagos — reliably good (11th best month)

Good · 7/10

April averages 26°C (79°F) with humidity around 83%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

Expect 41 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 29 sunny days and 12 daylight hours.

It scores 7/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 9.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, August is materially better in Galapagos — 2.2 points higher on the same scale.

May in Galapagos — reliably good (9th best month)

Good · 7.8/10

May averages 25°C (76°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 12 mm for the month, with about 24 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight to work with.

It scores 7.8/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 9.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

June in Galapagos — reliably good (7th best month)

Good · 8.1/10

June averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 11 mm for the month, with about 20 sunny days and 11.9 hours of daylight to work with.

It scores 8.1/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 9.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

July in Galapagos — the year's strongest window

Best window · 8.5/10

July averages 23°C (74°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 6 mm for the month, with about 21 sunny days and 11.9 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Galapagos at 8.5/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

August in Galapagos — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.2/10

August averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 5 mm for the month, with about 24 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Galapagos at 9.2/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

September in Galapagos — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.2/10

September averages 22°C (71°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 5 mm for the month, with about 23 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Galapagos at 9.2/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

October in Galapagos — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.2/10

October averages 22°C (71°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 6 mm for the month, with about 25 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Galapagos at 9.2/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

November in Galapagos — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9/10

November averages 23°C (73°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 7 mm for the month, with about 25 sunny days and 12 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Galapagos at 9/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

December in Galapagos — the year's strongest window

Best window · 8.6/10

December averages 23°C (74°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 10 mm for the month, with about 24 sunny days and 12.1 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Galapagos at 8.6/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Galapagos, Ecuador?
In Ideal Weather mode, the best months to visit Galapagos are August, September, October, November, December, July. August is the single peak month with an Ideal Weather score of 9.2/10 based on temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and historical sunny days.
What is the weather like in Galapagos year-round?
Galapagos has a climate profile suited to nature and wildlife travel. Average monthly temperatures range from 22°C in September to 27°C in March, with Ideal Weather scores between 6.2 and 9.2 out of 10.
Which months should I avoid in Galapagos?
The lowest Ideal Weather-scoring months in Galapagos are March (6.2/10), February (7.0/10), April (7.0/10). These months typically combine less comfortable temperatures, higher rainfall or fewer sunny days.
When is the rainy season in Galapagos?
March is the wettest month in Galapagos, averaging about 67 mm of rainfall. August is the driest, at roughly 5 mm.
Which is the sunniest month in Galapagos?
March sees the most sun in Galapagos, with about 29 sunny days on average - ideal for outdoor plans.
Is Galapagos a good destination for nature and wildlife travel?
Galapagos is well suited to nature and wildlife travel. Its highest Ideal Weather window (August, September, October, November, December, July) aligns with the conditions travelers usually look for in this style of trip.
How is the bestime.to score for Galapagos calculated?
Each month receives an Ideal Weather score from 0-10 using ERA5 climate normals for Galapagos: temperature comfort, precipitation, humidity, daylight hours, and historical sunny days - weighted for nature and wildlife travel.

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Curated in Galapagos

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