February

February in the Galapagos Islands

The temperature of the air and water in Galapagos varies depending on the strength of the trade winds. December through May, the winds are at their weakest and the cooling currents subside and temperatures rise.

The waters are warmest during this period (reaching their peak in February) with better visibility making it one of the best times for snorkelling.

The first rains to Galapagos can arrive either in January or February (ironically these are also the sunniest months in Galapagos!) The rains are typically limited to the lush highlands, and the coastal areas remain arid and covered with plants adapted to desert conditions. With the rains, flowers are blooming, leaves are sprouting and insects are emerging after many months of dormancy.

This short-lived abundance provides food for the chicks of many species of land birds such as finches and mockingbirds. This time of year also sees hundreds of Green Sea Turtle females, some of which have travelled for more than a thousand miles, come ashore to lay their eggs. Galapagos is considered one of the last safe breeding places for sea turtles in the Eastern Pacific.