The Gems of Galapagos
Do you want to see a tortoise the size of a car?
Galapagos is a land of weird and anomalous creatures; lizards that swim like fish and penguins that live at the equator. It has to be the world’s most famous wildlife tourism destination, so everyone goes there to see the animals.
But when is the best time to visit? And how do you explore an archipelago of 127 islands without knowing which to focus on and without missing anything? The answer to that is to have a superb guide and as all the guides in this region are government trained you can be sure they know a thing or two!
Here are our top tips for planning a trip to the Galapagos and what our insiders think about before they embark on any expedition to discover the gems.
What is it that we need to know before we consider any trip to the Galapagos?
- What length of trip do you prefer? It takes 10-14 days to see properly, but many trips are a week in length and run back-to-back, which would give you the chance to explore east, west or both.
- Are you a lover of warm water? The reason penguins live in the Galapagos is because of the cold Humboldt current. This is coldest between June and December. It’s the best time if you’re a penguin but not so much fun if you are a swimmer who likes warm water.
- What unique experience means the most to you? You might be happy to simply explore, but some people want to specifically see breeding waved albatross, or be entertained by courting blue-footed boobies. For this you have to choose the right months.
East-side or west-side, or both?
Key Western Islands – an overview
- Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos and is known for its incredible volcanic landscapes. Here you can hike to the top of Sierra Negra volcano, the second-largest caldera in the world – the views are breath-taking. Isabela is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, penguins, blue-footed boobies and Galapagos hawks.
- Fernandina is the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos and it is an important breeding site for marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. Visitors to Fernandina can also see the famous Punta Espinosa site, where they can observe a large colony of marine iguanas and many other wildlife species such as Galapagos penguins, sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
- Santiago is home to several unique visitor sites, including Sullivan Bay, where you can see a field of lava flows that were formed during a volcanic eruption in 1897. This island is also home to Galapagos fur seals, marine iguanas and a variety of bird species, including Galapagos hawks, finches and doves.
- The most populated island in the Galapagos is Santa Cruz and serves as a hub for tourism. Here you can visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is dedicated to the conservation and study of the islands’ flora and fauna. Santa Cruz is also home to a giant tortoise breeding centre, where you can see baby tortoises and learn about the conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. Other visitor sites on Santa Cruz include Tortuga Bay beach, which is a nesting site for green sea turtles and the Cerro Dragon hill, which is home to land iguanas and many bird species.
- Floreana Island has a fascinating human history, with stories of pirates, whalers and settlers. Visitors can explore the island’s rich cultural heritage at the historic Post Office Bay and can leave and collect mail without a stamp! Floreana is also known for its snorkelling opportunities; you’ll likely see sea turtles, reef sharks and many different species of fish.
- One of the most iconic islands in the Galapagos, known for its unique volcanic landscapes and incredible views from the top of its famous Pinnacle Rock, is Bartolome Island. It is also known for its colonies of penguins, sea lions and a variety of fish species.
Key Eastern islands – an overview
- Española Island is the southernmost island in the Galapagos and home to many endemic species, including the waved albatross, only found on this island. You’ll also see colonies of blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Gardner Bay is also popular, known for its pristine beach and crystal-clear waters – great for swimming and snorkelling.
- One of the oldest islands in the Galapagos is San Cristobal, home to several unique sites, including Punta Pitt, which is a great place to see all three species of boobies (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca) in one location. The Interpretation Center on San Cristobal also offers a chance to learn about the history and conservation efforts of the Galapagos.
- Santa Fe is a small island located in the centre of the archipelago and is known for its unique endemic species, including the Santa Fe land iguana and the Santa Fe rice rat. Visitors to Santa Fe can also see colonies of sea lions and many different species of birds.
- North Seymour Island is a small, low-lying island known for its incredible birdlife, including frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Visitors to North Seymour can also see colonies of sea lions and land iguanas.
Choosing the right time of year
Climate doesn’t have to be the principal factor in determining when to visit, but it may help you to know how to pack before arriving. Conditions can be very cold or very warm.
Climate
June to November: air temperatures are 21-27 °C (70-80 °F) and sea temperatures 18-24 °C (65-75 °F) and the Humboldt current generates a steady cool south and southeast wind.
December to May: air temperatures are 27-32 °C (80-90 °F) and sea temperatures 21-26 °C (70-80 °F). The winds drop and it rains more frequently and heavily.
The driest months are June to August and the wettest are October to March.
Choosing the right season for wildlife experiences
Being on the equator and having mostly resident wildlife, Galapagos is a year-round attraction. Here is a summary of the main wildlife events each month:
January:
- Marine iguanas breed on the rocky shores
- Blue-footed boobies begin their courtship displays
- Green sea turtles nest on the beaches
February:
- Galapagos penguins are most active and can be seen fishing in the water
- Land iguanas begin to breed
- Waved albatrosses start to return to the islands for mating season
March:
- Sea lions give birth to their pups on the beaches
- Giant tortoises migrate from the highlands to the lowlands to lay their eggs
- Nazca boobies start to breed and lay their eggs on the ground
April:
- The rainy season begins and plants begin to grow
- Marine iguanas nest in large numbers
- Green sea turtles begin to hatch
May:
- Blue-footed boobies begin to lay their eggs
- Sea lions continue to nurse their pups
- Galapagos fur seals mate and give birth on the beaches
June:
- Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch
- Flightless cormorants begin their courtship displays
- Orcas can sometimes be seen hunting in the waters around the islands
July:
- Penguins can be seen swimming and fishing in the water
- Nazca boobies and frigatebirds are actively raising their chicks
- Whale sharks begin to appear in the waters around the islands
August:
- Sea lion pups begin to swim and play in the water
- Darwin’s finches start to breed
- Giant tortoise juveniles can be seen in the highlands
September:
- Blue-footed boobies and other seabirds start to fledge their chicks
- Whale sharks continue to be spotted in the waters
- Galapagos hawks start to nest
October:
- Sea lion pups start to learn to swim and hunt
- Green sea turtles start to lay their eggs
- Land birds start to lay their eggs
November:
- Waved albatross chicks start to fledge and leave the island
- Sea lion pups continue to learn to hunt and swim
- Giant tortoises can be seen grazing in the highlands
December:
- Sea lions continue to nurse their pups
- Giant tortoises begin to lay their eggs
- Penguins and other seabirds start to court and breed
What is the best way to see everything and as much diversity as possible?
By travelling on the sea! Small luxurious superyachts are a perfect way to see this part of the world. Portmanteau Travel work with the supplier of a 50m superyacht, the first of her kind in the Galapagos Islands. She takes only 16 guests with 1 crew member per guest and has 30% more indoor space than other yachts of her size.
She is the ultimate retreat whilst exploring the dramatic volcanic landscapes of the Galapagos Archipelago.