Best time for wildlife encounters - Galapagos cruise

There are opportunities to encounter endemic wildlife in the Galapagos Islands all-year-round. Here are the creatures you’re likely to run into depending on when you visit:

• In January, land birds begin nesting so we will be on the lookout for rare species such as red boobies, Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, and frigate-birds. It’s also prime time to witness sea turtles start laying their eggs on the beach.  
• February’s the time to spot greater flamingos on Floreana Island and nesting marine iguanas on Santa Cruz Island. Frigatebirds on North Seymour Island can also be seen partaking in courtship rituals during this time.  
• In March and April, waved albatrosses, the largest bird species in the Galapagos, start to migrate back to Española Island for the courtship season where pairs mate for life.  
• April also marks the time when sea turtle and land iguana eggs start to hatch.  
• May is the best time to catch the vibrant blue-footed booby mating dance, as well as other endemic birds such as penguins, flightless cormorants, and flamingoes.  
• In June, marine life thrives and magical sightings of the humpback whale are possible.  
• July brings in even more marine life such as bottlenose dolphins, orcas, hammerhead sharks, Bryde’s whales, and the beloved gentle whale sharks.  
• In August, giant tortoises start to lay their eggs on Santa Cruz Island.  
• September ushers in the breeding season for California sea lions and fur seal pups.  
• October is when the endemic lava herons start building their nests close to the ocean.  
• November is an exciting month – it’s one of the last chances to encounter hammerhead sharks before they migrate as the dry season comes to an end. Curious sea lion pups that were born a few months ago are now old enough to come out and play in the sea too.  
• December is a month of clear, sunny skies – time for the Galapagos giant tortoise eggs to hatch. It’s also possible to witness male marine iguanas fighting each other during their mating season.