June

June in the Galapagos Islands

June is at the start of the Garua season, the cool, dry season in Galapagos. This makes it ideal weather for visitors.

South Eastern trade winds, which returned to Galapagos in late April, bring a gradual cooling of air and water temperatures compared to previous months, which have been characterised by more intense, hot climate. This means that May and June have arguably the most pleasant climate in Galapagos ,with lovely temperatures and lots of blue skies.

As well as a very pleasant climate, you have the Waved Albatross on Espanola (Hood) in full courtship mode. These birds mate for life; they can live for up to 50-55 years and their courtship displays are really quite something to witness.

The courtship of the Great Frigate birds on Genovesa (Tower) island, the other main outpost island for seabirds is also in full swing as the males puff out their red gullet sacks to impress the females. This is an amazing spectacle.

The cooling waters trigger the breeding season for several of the other iconic sea birds of the Galapagos; Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, Tropicbirds and Cormorants. They are all preparing to take advantage of the improving feeding conditions and begin their courtships.

Weather

  • Air temperature daily high: 26 °C (79°F)
  • Air temperature daily low: 21 °C (69.8°F)
  • Average Rainfall: 22.9 mm (0.90 inches) (mainly in the highlands)
  • Average Water Temperature: 23 °C (73.4°F)
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Wildlife

  • Some courtship still from boobies, Waved-Albatross and Frigate Birds
  • Some chicks starting to appear in the nests
  • Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz Island begin to migrate from the highlands to the lowlands to begin their mating season
  • Some groups of humpback whales that migrate up to equatorial latitudes along the coast of Ecuador reach Galapagos too around now
  • Dolphins and whales present throughout the year in the waters around Galapagos, but numbers vary greatly from year to year.
  • Red-footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies breeding and nesting year-round
  • Magnificent Frigatebirds breeding (year-round on North Seymour Island)
  • Flightless Cormorants, Greater Flamingos and Galapagos Penguins year-round, depending on food supply you will see breeding and nesting
  • Baby Sea Turtles
  • Female Sea Lions begin delivering pups.