The Galapagos in February | Best time to Visit the Galapagos

What are the Galapagos Islands like in February

Experience the islands in psychedelic technicolor throughout February as pink flamingos mate, red-footed boobies guard their nests and tropical flowers bloom. Catch the end of the frigate birds’ mating season on North Seymour as males puff out their grapefruit-sized, scarlet pouches in their elaborate mating ceremonies. Sunnier skies and calmer, warm seas beckon you to the water where you can spend hours snorkeling, kayaking or learning to surf on Tortuga Bay

Galapagos in February: An explosion of color

Pink Flamingos are mating, red-footed boobies are tending to their nests, and Magnificent Frigate birds are active on North Seymour.

Elsewhere in the Galapagos, flightless cormorant fledglings are getting their first plumage, Nazca boobies are at the tail end of their mating season, and land iguanas are nesting on Isabela.

The second month of the new-year is the time of the season to visit for calm waters, sunnier skies, and first-hand encounters at the crossroads of the season. Daily boat trips immerse our guests in the Galapagos; our family safari combines time spent learning the local fisherman’s tricks of the trade with a trip to a secluded beach after a few hours on the water.

The warmer waters lend themselves to quality time in the ocean; the diving is exceptional, surf lessons lead to fun times playing on gentle waves, and the snorkeling is a lesson in the creatures beneath the sea. Kayaking in the channels between the islands takes you past colonies of sea birds, sea lions, and marine iguanas, while blue-footed boobies dive from the sky into the waters around you.

Surfing and Hiking on a Visit to Isabela

For a fun day surfing, the Puerto Villamil beach on Isabela Island is a great place to take a lesson or hone your skills in the warm February waters. The site is a haunt of the marine iguana, spotted resting on the shores or in the water when paddling out to catch the next wave.

A hike up the slopes of the Sierra Negra volcano on the eastern side of the island takes you through the different environmental zones of the island. The volcano is the most active of the seven that formed Isabela. The journey from the lowlands to the highest point on the island is brimming with the different plants and animals in each distinctive zone.

The volcano is home to the Sierra Negra giant tortoise, one of five subspecies found on the island. The rare glimpses into the lives of the creatures makes the trek an off-the-beaten path excursion, and the view from the high vista gives you a panoramic picture of Elizabeth Bay and the nearby Fernandina Island.

Magnificent Frigatebirds on North Seymour

One of the most active colonies of magnificent frigatebirds is on North Seymour Island. In February, the males inflate their basketball-sized red pouches as part of an intricate mating ritual, while perched high up in trees or cliffs. The female chooses her mate from above, and after the eggs hatch, both parents take care of the young for ninety days until they fledge.

A stop on our safari itineraries, the island is also the place to find blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.

A stay at Galapagos Safari Camp takes you to the islands that make the archipelago a one of a kind destination. Our Galapagos tours are flexible, and boats depart daily to sights unseen with activities geared toward the interests of the whole family. For more information about planning your Galapagos vacation, contact us today.