Galapagos Tours

Looking for the perfect time to book Galapagos tours? This a common question, and of course it is important to know when is the perfect time to visit the Galapagos islands and see as much wildlife and marine life as possible.

Galapagos is an amazing destination all year around, as they are located on the equator and the weather does not change significantly throughout the year. There are two seasons (Warm & Cool). In case you would like to see specific Galapagos wildlife we are happy to recommend specific months and places with more probabilities… but what we can definitely say is that Galapagos islands never disappoints!

Generally speaking, Easter, Christmas and New Year’s eve ere the busiest weeks, so if you plan to book a Galapagos tour on those dates it is better to book some months in advance.

Galapagos Warm Season

The Galapagos warm (rainy) season is from December through May, with temperature ranges from the 70’s to upper 80’s Fahrenheit (21-26C). This brings sunny hot days and periodic rains, which brings the desert landscape to life with lush green leaves providing an abundance of food for terrestrial animals in the Galapagos islands.

During this warmer season, the Galapagos’ climate is more tropical, the ocean´s temperature is warmer for swimming and snorkeling. You may observe a large number of species around the islands such as marine iguanas, sea turtle, land iguanas, flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatross, and blue-footed boobies.

Tip: Since the water is warmer, Galapagos tours with snorkeling as highlights are highly recommended.

Galapagos Cool Season

The Galapagos cool (dry) season is from June through November, with average temperatures from 60-70 Fahrenheit (16-21C). During the cool season, the southern Humboldt and Peru currents cool the water temperature. This brings cooler days and a persistent misty fog known as “Garua”. Rain is uncommon during the cool season.

This is the best season to observe Galapagos penguins, dolphins, whales, and other large marine animals. Also you may see giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, cormorants, oyster catchers, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, masked boobies, and sea lions.

Tip: Due to the water temperature, it is the perfect time for Galapagos tours with deep diving, wetsuits may be required for underwater activities.

Wildlife is probably one of the top facts to consider when booking Galapagos tours. Great news! The Enchanted Islands are home to some of the most particular species found on Earth. The Galapagos Islands are so rich in wildlife; you can find animals literally everywhere you look.

The most iconic species are marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, waved albatross, magnificent frigate birds, white tipped sharks, pelicans, pink flamingos, land iguanas, fur seals and the playful sea lions.  

The further you go, the better the wildlife opportunities. Regardless, once you start a Galapagos Islands tour, you embark on a journey through wildlife paradise. 

Galapagos tours for families are perfect, as every member of the group will be fascinated by the flora and fauna they can see. Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands can be found on land, in the air and of course under water. Each person tends to have their wildlife check list, and each tour will do its best to make sure you see as much as possible.

When doing this trip either on a Galapagos Islands resorts or Galapagos Islands ships, you have a lot of chances to see some of the most endemic species. The best Galapagos Islands to see different land or marine iguanas, is Isabela island. The most popular destinations with diverse species are: Fernandina, Española, Bartolome, Floreana, North Seymour, Santa fe and many more. When looking to see different species of booby birds, then Genovesa or San Cristobal are a perfect fit. If you are mostly looking forward to seeing the Galapagos giant tortoises then Santa Cruz is where you can really see them up close.

This is a fantastic destination for adventurers and nature lovers. For those who are looking for underwater magical memories, they decide to go scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands. Under water wildlife is so rich in these islands, especially when trying to see whale sharks, dolphins, giant eagle rays, white tipped sharks, turtles and more! Galapagos Islands trip cost can vary, but there is a trip for anyone who is looking to visit the most natural paradise on Earth!  Don’t hesitate to request a free call with one of our travel advisors; we are happy to provide all the information for an unforgettable Galapagos journey!

The islands can only be accessed by commercial flights all seven days of the week. Baltra and San Cristobal are the two main airports in the Galapagos. The airport on Isabela Island is only equipped to receive small planes with local connections between islands.

Flights usually depart early in the morning. Almost all airlines have a stopover in Guayaquil (30-minute stop), a total 3-hour flight from Quito.

Quito and Guayaquil are the only cities in Ecuador with air access to the Galapagos Islands. The airlines that fly to Galapagos are: AVIANCA AIRLINES, LATAM AIRLINES, EQUAIR.

In most cases, clients who have booked a cruise are required to book their flight together with the cruise operator (specific airline and flight), to ensure the smooth operation of their tour and avoid long waits between flight arrivals.

Please note that there are reduced flight rates for Ecuadorians or Ecuador residents, and regular rates for foreign tourists. If you book Ecuadorian rates, you might be charged the difference at the check-in counter.

In order to travel to the Galapagos islands, you first have to arrive in Ecuador.

We have great international connections worldwide, and it is easy to access Ecuador. The most popular connections are via the United States, with direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, and New York, also via Panama City and Bogota.

If you are travelling from Europe, the most common options to take direct flights from Madrid, Amsterdam, and Barcelona.