May is actually our favourite month in the islands — and it’s not hard to see why. The climate is at its most pleasant, the wildlife spectacle is in full swing, and the islands feel at their most alive.
By May, the trade winds have returned, bringing a gradual and welcome cooling of both air and water temperatures compared to the intense heat of the preceding months. Blue skies are still very much the order of the day, and the sporadic rainfall that characterises January through April has largely eased off — making it one of the most comfortable and reliable months to visit.
The real showstopper in May is the Waved Albatross. These magnificent birds — the only tropical albatross species in the world — return to Española (Hood) Island each year, and by May their courtship displays are in full, extraordinary swing. Mating for life and living up to 50–55 years, they perform an elaborate dance of bill-clacking, sky-pointing and honking that is truly one of nature’s great performances. If you only visit the Galapagos once, seeing the albatross courtship ritual is reason enough to make it in May!
On Genovesa (Tower) Island, Great Frigatebirds are also putting on a show — males inflating their vivid red throat pouches to impressive proportions in an effort to attract a mate. Blue-footed Boobies are beginning their own courtship rituals too, with that endearingly comical high-stepping dance. Between these three species alone, May delivers seabird theatre unlike anywhere else on the planet.
May is a superb month for wildlife watching on land, with several species at peak activity and the pleasant climate making shore excursions and island walks genuinely enjoyable.
The Waved Albatross on Española is the undisputed highlight — but beyond the seabirds, there is plenty happening across the islands. Giant tortoises are active in the highlands of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela, and May is one of the better months to encounter them in the wild as females begin moving to lower, drier areas to lay their eggs. Land iguanas are also nesting at this time, and the sight of these prehistoric-looking creatures going about their business is one of the Galapagos’ more quietly remarkable experiences.
The famous fearlessness of Galapagos wildlife is on full display in May. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and lava lizards will approach with barely a flicker of concern. Swallow-tailed gulls, the world’s only fully nocturnal gull, are also present and nesting on the cliffs.
For birdwatchers, May is a particularly rewarding month. In addition to the albatross and frigatebirds already in full courtship, flightless cormorants are displaying on the western islands, and the first blue-footed booby dances of the season are well underway across multiple sites.
Land-based wildlife highlights for May:
May brings a rich mix of marine encounters both above and below the waterline:
May is an excellent month to get in the water. Sea temperatures are still warm at around 24°C (75°F) — comfortable enough to snorkel in a shorty wetsuit or even a swimsuit in shallower areas — and underwater visibility is good, typically ranging between 10–20 metres depending on the site.
The transition from the warm season to the cooler garúa season means the water is clear without yet being cold, and marine life is plentiful. You’re very likely to encounter sea lions, marine iguanas feeding underwater, and large schools of colourful fish when you snorkel. Green sea turtles are frequently spotted gliding through the shallows, and reef sharks are a common presence at many sites.
For divers, May offers some of the most well-rounded conditions of the year. Sites such as Gordon Rocks, Kicker Rock (León Dormido) and Devil’s Crown are all rewarding at this time, and hammerhead sharks are beginning to gather in greater numbers as the season shifts. Manta rays and eagle rays are also regularly sighted. As the Humboldt Current strengthens through June and beyond, the water will cool and visibility can fluctuate — making May a sweet spot for those who want productive diving without the chill of the deep dry season.
In short — yes, and we’d go further than that. May is one of the very best months to visit, and for many travellers it represents the ideal balance of everything the Galapagos has to offer.
The climate is at its most pleasant: warm but not oppressively hot, with the trade winds providing a comfortable breeze and reliable blue skies. Rainfall is minimal and the sea is still warm enough for comfortable snorkelling. At the same time, you’re catching the very beginning of the dry season’s wildlife activity, with some of the most spectacular seabird behaviour of the entire year already underway on Española and Genovesa.
May also tends to be quieter than the peak holiday periods of December–January and July–August, which can mean more availability on boats and a more relaxed atmosphere on the visitor sites. If you’re flexible with timing, it’s a month well worth targeting.
The one consideration worth noting is that May marks a transition point — conditions can vary slightly from year to year depending on when the trade winds fully establish themselves. That said, in our experience, this variability adds to the sense of discovery rather than detracting from the visit.
For wildlife photography, snorkelling, seabird watching, and sheer all-round quality of experience, May is hard to beat.
May marks a welcome turning point in the Galapagos climate. The intense heat and humidity of the warm season (January to April) begin to ease as the south-eastern trade winds return and gradually strengthen through the month. The result is warm, sunny days with a refreshing breeze — conditions that many of our guests describe as the most comfortable they’ve experienced anywhere in the tropics.
Rainfall drops off compared to earlier in the year. What rain does fall is generally confined to the highlands — particularly on Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela — where brief mist or light showers may occur, especially in the early mornings. Down on the coast and at sea level, skies are predominantly blue and clear.
It’s worth knowing that the Galapagos has two distinct climate zones, and May is a particularly good time to appreciate the contrast. The lowland coastal areas are warm and dry, ideal for wildlife watching, snorkelling and boat excursions. The highland zones, meanwhile, are lush and green from the previous months’ rainfall, and are excellent for spotting giant tortoises in the wild. Visiting both within the same trip gives you a very different — and rewarding — perspective on the islands.
Water temperatures in May sit at around 24°C (75°F), still warm from the season just passed. As the Humboldt Current begins to strengthen through June and July, sea temperatures will cool considerably — so May represents one of the last comfortable months for snorkelling without a full wetsuit.
In terms of what to pack: light clothing is ideal for daytime, with a light layer for evenings and boat transfers when the trade winds pick up. A light waterproof is worth having for highland excursions, and reef-safe sun protection is essential year-round.
