Overview
The Galápagos Islands. There’s something magical about the name - they are, of course, known as the Enchanted Isles - and they sit adrift of mainland Ecuador in isolation in the Pacific Ocean, for centuries far removed from the influences of mankind. Up to the middle of the 20th century only a colourful array of pirates, whalers, convicts, eccentrics and fishermen dropped anchor on their shores.
Born from volcanoes thrusting their way through the surface of the waters, the clutch of alternately sun-baked and misty islands of twisted lava, jagged cliffs and scrubby forest seem an unlikely habitat for wildlife. But a phenomenal array of trusting bird and reptile species, not to mention undersea marine animals, have settled and evolved here, to the delight of visitors from Darwin onwards.
Watch the lumbering giant tortoises, nesting albatrosses, flirting frigate birds, comic boobies, wrinkly iguanas and frolicking sea-lions from a cruise or land-based adventure. Climb a volcano, kayak to a white sand beach or swim with hammerhead sharks: so many unique experiences to get involved in are at your feet.
Our top holiday styles to Galapagos Islands
Holidays Galapagos Islands
Enjoy diving, snorkelling, wildlife watching and cruising in the Galapagos on one of our unforgettable holidays. Book now with Journey Latin America.
Classic holidays
Group - Classic
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands
Albatross: Ecuador’s highlands and Galapagos
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands
Ecuador’s Andes and Galapagos Islands hop
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Classic holidays
Group - Classic
Peru / Lake Titicaca / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Hawk: Peru and Galapagos
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands
Luxury Galapagos Islands cruise
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Places To Visit In Galapagos Islands
Discover the unique character and wildlife of each of the Galapagos Islands on one of our award winning holidays. Book now with Journey Latin America.
Baltra
Baltra is a small island which hosts the islands’ principal airport and offers public transport to Puerto Ayora by bus and ferry as well as private transfers for visitors.
Bartolome (Bartholomew)
A walk to the summit of this small island reveals a pitted moonscape; one of the most photographed panoramas in the archipelago. There are views of the island's twisted lava formations and the sea-sculpted Pinnacle Rock, smothered with Galápagos penguins and marine turtles.
Espanola (Hood)
There’s a huge variety of birds and reptiles, nesting or on the cliffs. Some species (eg. The waved albatross) aren’t seen elsewhere. There’s a spectacular blowhole: spray shoots 30m high.
Fernandina (Narborough)
An active volcanic island with frequent eruptions. Its steep flanks, streaked with successive lava flows, are arid; marine iguanas gather in their thousands. There’s an interesting shore-line trail.
Things to do
Discover a wealth of activities in the Galapagos Islands, from wildlife encounters to biking, kayaking and snorkelling. Book with Journey Latin America.
Accommodation
Explore the Galapagos Islands on a cruise, stay on dry land or do both on one of our award winning holidays. Book now with Journey Latin America.
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Alya
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Archipel I
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Beluga
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Cachalote Explorer
Where to go when - our guide to Galapagos Islands
The weather in Galapagos Islands is wide and varied
The Galapagos Islands are extraordinary no matter the time of the year. Although there are two distinct seasons, the hot rainier season of Dec-May and the cooler dry season of June-November, the wildlife both on land and underwater is prolific and easy to spot every single month. You may choose to time your visit to coincide with a particular wildlife event, such as the June-October whale watching, the arrival of the waved albatross in April or the February marine iguana mating season when they turn brightly coloured. However, our general advice is to base your dates on whether you prefer hot days when the sun beats down through clear blue skies or whether you’d be more comfortable exploring the islands in cooler temperatures, with breezier days and some cloud protection from the sun. Another consideration is how you wish to explore. If you want a smaller expedition cruise, or wish to ‘island-hop’ travelling by speedboat between the islands, then you might consider December-May when the seas are calm. If you preference is for a less intimate and larger/inherently more stable vessel then the choppier seas of June-November needn’t be much of a concern. Novice snorkelers and divers may favour the warmer waters and better underwater visibility of December-May although the nutrient rich cool waters of June-November, when visibility reduces, bring with them even more underwater activity and larger species. A final consideration may be what the weather is like in other places you are visiting during your holiday, for example in Ecuador’s Andean highlands, the Amazon rainforest or perhaps even in Peru or another country?
View our Galapagos Islands weather guidePapagaio
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