The Galapagos in July | Best time to Visit the Galapagos

WHAT’S GALAPAGOS LIKE IN JULY

You might need a wetsuit to stave off the chillier seas while snorkeling in July, but this is the month when the sea lion mating season begins, leading to engrossing scenes of males tussling for territory and females, especially at Mosquera in between Seymour and Baltra Islands. This is the second month of the garua season when blue-footed boobies are nesting and mating, their comical stomping dance one of the highlights of the Islands. For your Galapagos Islands tour, bear in mind that waves are beginning to get larger at this time of year – boat trips can be less relaxing than in other months

July in the Galapagos sees changes in the sea. The cooler Humboldt current is taking hold, mixing with the warm water throughout the islands and producing rich nutrients and plantain that many creatures of the sea and land feed from.

The weather is cooler than previous months, the waves are larger, and wetsuits when snorkeling are the way to stay warm while exploring. Keep reading for the active wildlife in the islands, and the places you can visit during your Galapagos vacation.

Sea Lions

Sea lions in the Galapagos are starting their mating season in July. Males in colonies at Mosquera in between Seymour and Baltra Islands jockey for position, fighting each other for stretches of sand where harems of 30 females are protected by sole alpha male. Bulls protect their territory for anywhere from ten days to three months. Other islands that we visit where you can observe the mating ritual include South Plaza, where marine and land iguanas dot the landscape inland and sea lions greet you on the beach.

Blue-Footed Boobies

During the second month of the Garúa season, blue-footed boobies are nesting. You can find pairs enacting their hallmark mating dance, chicks with their parents, juveniles and young adults. Seymour island is home to the iconic bird in large numbers, but they also make an appearance off the shores of Bartolome, diving for food in the bay.

Other Sea Birds

Other birds that nest in the Galapagos in July include the red-footed and masked boobies, penguins, frigate birds, flightless cormorants, and flamingos. Each can be found on the islands you visit on the camp’s safari trips.

Whales and Dolphins

The arrival of the cool waters also signals the start of whale season in the islands. The western and southern coasts of Isabela island are the places to keep your eyes on the horizon. Humpback whales, orcas, and schools of dolphins breach the waters; the latter traveling in groups of a hundred at times.

Galapagos Penguins

Found off of the shores of Isabela island during the wet season when the waters are cooler than other islands of the Galapagos, penguins migrate with the arrival of the Humboldt current. One hotspot for observing and swimming with the small creatures is the bay of Bartolome island, where they congregate on the ledges of Pinnacle Rock.

Marine Life

July is a busy month under the sea, with fish and marine life coming closer to shore in larger numbers to feed. While the waters are cool, snorkeling gives you a kaleidoscope of animals to discover. Rays, sharks, turtles, sea lions, and thousands of fish await you after taking the plunge.

Our safaris visit uninhabited islands where the wildlife is in the spotlight. Our tour itineraries change according to what island’s wildlife is active, and the national park’s directives during each season. For more information about a Galapagos vacation at the camp, contact our team through this site or our toll-free number.