August: coolest seas, albatross chicks and penguins
Expect Giant tortoise, Blue-footed booby, Galápagos penguin & Marine iguana , plus albatross chicks peak; penguins plentiful.
- Air
- 64–75°F (18–24°C)
- Water
- 68°F (20°C)
- Seas
- Very rough
The Best Time to Visit the Galápagos
Wildlife peaks, seas and island highlights by month
Tap a month. Islands light up with what’s happening
Air
64–75°F (18–24°C)
Water
68°F (20°C)
Seas
Very rough
Standout
Albatross chicks peak; penguins plentiful
Often the coolest, roughest month, and one of the best for land wildlife. Espanola chicks are prominent, and western penguin sightings stay strong for snorkellers and hikers.
Best islands this month
Wolf Island, August
- Whale shark Peak Northern diving stays strong at Wolf Island through August. Cool, rough seas concentrate prey, and whale sharks remain a main reason to run the Darwin and Wolf circuit.
- Hammerhead shark Peak The coolest seas keep hammerhead schools strong at Wolf Island through August. Expect the classic northern-island shark encounters on good current days.
Darwin Island, August
- Whale shark Peak Northern diving stays strong at Darwin Island through August. Cool, rough seas concentrate prey, and whale sharks remain a main reason to run the Darwin and Wolf circuit.
- Hammerhead shark Peak The coolest seas keep hammerhead schools strong at Darwin Island through August. Expect the classic northern-island shark encounters on good current days.
Isabela, August
- Giant tortoise Likely Egg laying stays active near Isabela in August. Cool-season nesting is underway, so open ground and nest flats matter as much as shady highland grazing spots.
- Blue-footed booby Likely Blue-footed boobies nest and court across much of the year near Isabela. In August, watch for sky-pointing pairs and nest scrapes, plus the classic foot-lifting dance that makes landings memorable.
- Galápagos penguin Peak The coolest seas around Isabela in August favour penguins. Expect frequent shore sightings and splashy hunting as upwelling keeps prey dense.
- Marine iguana Likely The coolest months keep iguanas tightly clustered for warmth on Isabela. In August you get dense groups on the rocks and reliable close views on most western or southern landings.
Fernandina, August
- Galápagos penguin Peak The coolest seas around Fernandina in August favour penguins. Expect frequent shore sightings and splashy hunting as upwelling keeps prey dense.
- Marine iguana Likely The coolest months keep iguanas tightly clustered for warmth on Fernandina. In August you get dense groups on the rocks and reliable close views on most western or southern landings.
Santa Cruz, August
- Giant tortoise Peak Egg laying stays active near Santa Cruz in August. Cool-season nesting is underway, so open ground and nest flats matter as much as shady highland grazing spots.
- Galápagos sea lion Likely Pupping begins around Santa Cruz in August. Beaches shift from adult haul-outs to nurseries. Expect nursing pups and protective mothers close to visitor trails.
- Green sea turtle Likely Good snorkel sites
Floreana, August
- Marine iguana Possible The coolest months keep iguanas tightly clustered for warmth on Floreana. In August you get dense groups on the rocks and reliable close views on most western or southern landings.
- Galápagos sea lion Likely Pupping begins around Floreana in August. Beaches shift from adult haul-outs to nurseries. Expect nursing pups and protective mothers close to visitor trails.
- American flamingo Likely Punta Cormorant lagoon
San Cristóbal, August
- Blue-footed booby Likely Blue-footed boobies nest and court across much of the year near San Cristóbal. In August, watch for sky-pointing pairs and nest scrapes, plus the classic foot-lifting dance that makes landings memorable.
- Galápagos sea lion Peak Pupping begins around San Cristóbal in August. Beaches shift from adult haul-outs to nurseries. Expect nursing pups and protective mothers close to visitor trails.
- Green sea turtle Likely
- Frigatebird Likely Late breeding on San Cristóbal in August still fills mangroves and cliff edges with nests. Guests see an active colony, not only soaring birds.
Española, August
- Blue-footed booby Likely Blue-footed boobies nest and court across much of the year near Española. In August, watch for sky-pointing pairs and nest scrapes, plus the classic foot-lifting dance that makes landings memorable.
- Galápagos sea lion Likely Pupping begins around Española in August. Beaches shift from adult haul-outs to nurseries. Expect nursing pups and protective mothers close to visitor trails.
- Waved albatross Peak Peak chick season on Española in August: large downy young sit in the open while parents forage hard at sea, so landings feel busier than in the earlier courtship weeks.
Genovesa, August
- Blue-footed booby Possible Blue-footed boobies nest and court across much of the year near Genovesa. In August, watch for sky-pointing pairs and nest scrapes, plus the classic foot-lifting dance that makes landings memorable.
- Galápagos sea lion Possible Pupping begins around Genovesa in August. Beaches shift from adult haul-outs to nurseries. Expect nursing pups and protective mothers close to visitor trails.
- Frigatebird Peak Late breeding on Genovesa in August still fills mangroves and cliff edges with nests. Guests see an active colony, not only soaring birds.
Galapagos Wildlife in August
Tap animals to match cruises below
August Galapagos visit forecast
Recommended itineraries
Select wildlife on the leftabove to find cruises that visit those animals
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Find the best time to visit the Galapagos with this interactive wildlife calendar. Tap a month to see which islands light up, what wildlife peaks where, and how rough the seas tend to be. Built for guests planning a Galapagos cruise or land-based stay.