Galapagos is the nature lover's paradise. Sea birds, sea lions, iguanas, finches, none fear man, and for a short time the tourist can live in harmony and peace with this wonderous environment.
The Galapagos Islands are located on the equator about 870 km (600 miles) west of mainland Ecuador. The Galapagos archipelgao is made up of 13 main islands, six smaller islands, tiny islets, and named and unnamed rocks. They are of volcanic origin and cover a land area of 8,000 sq.km (3,090 sq. miles).
The main islands are: Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española, San Cristobal, Genovesa. Santa Fe, Marchena, Pinta, Rabida & Pinzon.
Galapagos boast some of the most unusual and rare fauna in the world, with many that are endemic to Galapagos and found nowhere else in the world. Enedemic fauna include: Giant tortoise, Lava lizard, Land Iguana, Marine Iguana, Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos penguin, Waved albatross, Flightless cormorant, Swallow-tailed gull, Lava gull, Lava heron, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos rail, Galapagos flycatcher, Galapagos martin, Galapagos dove,Charles mockingbird, Cactus ground finch and Vegetarian finch.
January
Beginning of the rainy season. Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain. On Española the adult male marine iguanas become brightly colored. The green sea turtle arrives in the Galapagos Islands to lay their eggs on beaches. Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela. Water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June. Ideal time for snorkeling.
February
Flamingos start nesting on Floreana. Bahamas pintails start their breeding season. Masked boobies on Española are at the end of their nesting season. Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz.The highest water temperature reaches 25°C (77°F). This temperature remains fairly constant until April. Penguins may be sighted at Bartolomé. The nesting season of the Galapagos dove reaches its peak.
March
Height of the rainy season. Sporadic tropical rains, intense sun and hot climate. Air temperature can reach up to 30°C (86°F). Marine iguanas nest in Fernandina. March 21, the beginning of the summer equinox signals the arrival of the waved albatross to Española.
April
Massive arrival of waved albatross to Española. Their courtship starts. Hatching season ends for giant tortoises. The eggs of the green sea turtles begin to hatch. Land iguanas hatch on Isabela.
May
North Seymours blue-footed boobies begin their courtship. Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas. Most of the marine iguanas eggs hatch from nests on Santa Cruz. Palo Santo trees begin to shed their foliage. Albatross on Española start laying their eggs. Storm petrels begin their first nesting period.
June
Beginning of the garúa season (cooler and drier climate). Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places. Beginning of the nesting season of giant tortoises
July
Sea bird communities are very active, especially the Blue Footed boobies on Española. Flightless cormorants court and nest on Fernandina. Oystercatchers start nesting at Puerto Egas. Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November. Whales are likely to be observed, especially off the Western coast of Isabela.
August
The Galapagos hawks court on Española and Santiago. Mask boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa. The temperature of the ocean can be as low as 18° C (64°F), which varies according to the zones among the islands. Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the islands until March.
Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz.
September
Cold (garúa) season peak. Air temperature reaches its lowest (19° C) (66°F). Penguins demonstrate remarkable activity on Bartolomé until December & sea lions are very active. Most marine birds remain active at their nesting sites
October
Lava herons nest until March. The Galapagos fur seals begin their mating period. Boobies raise their chicks on Española. Giant tortoises still lay their eggs.
November
Sea lion pups are born. Sea lions are sexually active on the Eastern part of the Archipelago. Breeding season of brown noddies Storm petrels begin their second nesting period.
December
Hatching of the giant tortoises eggs begins and lasts until April. Green sea turtles display their mating behavior. The rainy season begins, all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves. Galapagos turns green. The first young albatross fledge.
NOTE: Due to changes in the strength and the limits of the ocean currents that can affect the weather in Galapagos, some of the events described above may differ or even not take place.
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