Americas
Best Time to Dive in the Galapagos
3 dive areas, each scored on its own. The season peaks October–January at Western (Isabela/Fernandina). There is no real season at Galapagos Central and Darwin & Wolf. The one that asks for experience is Darwin & Wolf.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galapagos Central | January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: Off season | May: Off season | June: Good | July: Good | August: Good | September: Good | October: Good | November: Good | December: Off season |
| Darwin & Wolf | January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: Off season | May: Off season | June: Good | July: Good | August: Good | September: Good | October: Good | November: Good | December: Off season |
| Western (Isabela/Fernandina) | January: Good | February: Moderate | March: Off season | April: Moderate | May: Off season | June: Good | July: Good | August: Good | September: Moderate | October: Good | November: Good | December: Good |
Off season Good Moderate
The Galapagos compared
| Dive area | Best time | Water | Visibility | Dived from | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galapagos Central | Any month | 22–27 °C | 15–25 m | liveaboard and day boat | Advanced Open Water |
| Darwin & Wolf | Any month | 25–28 °C | 20–30 m | liveaboard | experienced divers |
| Western (Isabela/Fernandina) | Oct–Jan | 21–26 °C | 10–20 m | liveaboard | experienced divers |
Water and visibility are the whole year's range at each area, coldest month to warmest. Visibility is estimated from satellite chlorophyll-a.
Which area to pick
- Galapagos Central
- No real season, so any month works. It is dived only from liveaboards and day boats.
- Darwin & Wolf
- No real season, so any month works. It has the clearest water, up to 30 m, is for experienced divers and is the one for whale sharks.
- Western (Isabela/Fernandina)
- The only one in season from October to January. It has the lowest visibility, 10–20 m, is for experienced divers and is the one for bump-head sunfish.
The Galapagos month by month
Two or more areas are good at once in June to November: the time to combine them in one trip.
- Jan
- Good at Western (Isabela/Fernandina). Off season at Galapagos Central and Darwin & Wolf.
- Feb
- Nowhere at its best; Western (Isabela/Fernandina) is workable.
- Mar
- Nowhere at its best.
- Apr
- Nowhere at its best; Western (Isabela/Fernandina) is workable.
- May
- Nowhere at its best.
- Jun–Aug
- Every area is good.
- Sep
- Good at Galapagos Central and Darwin & Wolf.
- Oct–Nov
- Every area is good.
- Dec
- Good at Western (Isabela/Fernandina). Off season at Galapagos Central and Darwin & Wolf.
Galapagos Central
Conditions are good all year, so the month is decided by wildlife: June to November for scalloped hammerhead.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: Off season | May: Off season | June: Good | July: Good | August: Good | September: Good | October: Good | November: Good | December: Off season |
Off season Good
- Water
- 22–27 °C
- Wear
- 5 mm full suit
- Dived from
- liveaboard and day boat
- Suits
- Advanced Open Water
Known for Galapagos sea lion, Scalloped hammerhead
Galapagos Central month by month →Darwin & Wolf
Conditions are good all year, so the month is decided by wildlife: June to November for whale sharks and the schooling scalloped hammerheads of Darwin's Arch.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: Off season | May: Off season | June: Good | July: Good | August: Good | September: Good | October: Good | November: Good | December: Off season |
Off season Good
- Water
- 25–28 °C
- Wear
- 5 mm full suit
- Dived from
- liveaboard
- Suits
- experienced divers
Known for Scalloped hammerhead, Whale shark
Darwin & Wolf month by month →Western (Isabela/Fernandina)
The wildlife shows no season worth planning around, so pick your month on the sea and the sky: October to January.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Good | February: Moderate | March: Off season | April: Moderate | May: Off season | June: Good | July: Good | August: Good | September: Moderate | October: Good | November: Good | December: Good |
Good Moderate Off season
- Water
- 21–26 °C
- Wear
- 5 mm with hood and gloves
- Dived from
- liveaboard
- Suits
- experienced divers
Known for Galapagos sea lion, Bump-head sunfish
Western (Isabela/Fernandina) month by month →Diving in the Galapagos: common questions
- When is the best time to dive the Galapagos?
- It depends which area. The season peaks October–January at Western (Isabela/Fernandina). There is no real season at Galapagos Central and Darwin & Wolf, so any month works there.
- Can you dive the Galapagos all year?
- Yes. With all 3 areas to choose from, one of them is always at its best.
- How warm is the water in the Galapagos?
- 21 to 28 °C across the year, depending on the area and the month. Each area's page gives its own month-by-month temperatures.
- What can you see diving in the Galapagos?
- The headline animals are Galapagos sea lion, scalloped hammerhead, whale shark and bump-head sunfish. Each area's page lists everything recorded near it, with the months it was seen.