The Galapagos in June | Best time to Visit the Galapagos

Galapagos Weather in June

This is a month of transition, when the dry and wet seasons meet, producing a fluctuating, if unpredictable climate. Amid the mist (known as the garua) that begins to close in on the highlands, giant tortoises begin on their annual journey of 3.7 miles which takes them up to three weeks to reach their destination: a migration to the shores of the arid zone. At this time of year, it’s best to head to Tortuga Bay in the morning when there’s less chance of a shower, but stay down at shoreline for a spectacular sunset.

June in the archipelago brings the best of the dry and wet seasons together; pleasant days are balanced by cool waters, lush landscapes, and abundance of wildlife.

The weather isn’t always predicable; but as a rule-of-thumb, midst and clouds cover the highlands, while the coast and the lowlands have mid-day showers and tropical temperatures. These conditions can produce spectacular days braving the waters on adventures that end with epic sunsets.

A safari holiday during the onset of the garua season sees humpback whales return to the Galapagos waters, and penguins start to migrate from Isabela to other islands in the archipelago.

The transition month also marks the most active part of the breeding season for Nazca and red-footed boobies. Blue-footed booby eggs are starting to hatch; and chicks and their mothers start to make an appearance along the trails of Seymour and Bartolome islands.

Keep reading for an in-the-know take on what is happening in the islands in June, and what you can discover on our safari adventures at the camp and the neighboring islands where we can take you.

Galapagos in June

Santa Cruz
Wildlife

Galapagos Tortoises

As the cooler season is starting to kick in, giant tortoises from the highlands start their annual migration to the shores of the arid zone. The lumbering legends travel the journey of 3.7 miles at a leisurely pace; taking two to three weeks to reach their destination.

One of our stops on the first day of our safaris is to a tortoise reserve in the highlands. Exploring the trails around lagoons reveals giant tortoises in the wild, slowly making their way to the lower elevations of the island.

Flamingos

Pink flamingos are at the start of their nesting season in June on Santa Cruz. One of our day trips from the camp includes a stop at El Garrapatero Beach. Behind the white stretch of sand and through the mangroves lies a lagoon where you can often observe flamingos building their nests and feeding in the shallow waters.

Activity-Catch a Wave

Elsewhere on the island at Tortuga Bay, the return southwest trade winds bring more waves and stronger currents. We can arrange surf lessons with local teachers for those wishing to improve their skills.

The best time to venture towards Tortuga Bay is in the morning when conditions and the weather are at their best. The lessons that we arrange make for a fun time tackling the waves, and are geared toward creating an experience, as well as a few hours at the beach.

The instructors that we use are from a local surf club and school, and are adept at assessing the conditions and the abilities of their students.

North Seymour
Wildlife

On our day safari to North Seymour, boats rides lead to paths skirting blue-footed Boobies and frigate birds enacting intricate mating rituals, and chics and their cautious parents resting in nests. The island is also a stop for birds migrating north for the season, and many are spotted along the shores.

Activities-Under Water Adventures

The return of the cooler Humboldt Current to the islands sparks a new level of marine life under the sea. Scuba diving in Seymour Channel is an adventure that often includes schools of reef and hammerhead sharks, rays, and Galapagos garden eels that cover the floor of the sea. Our dive safaris offer two dives a day, and can take you to this site as well as other well-known spots around the islands.

Bartolome Island
Wildlife

Galapagos Penguins

One of the favorite moments of guests who visit Bartolome on a safari holiday is swimming with penguins. Galapagos penguins migrate with the temperature of the water. June marks an active month for the endemic species around the island, as they return with the cool currents to the island to mate.

Acitvities-Hiking, Snorkeling, and Scuba Diving

Hiking

The hike to the lookout spanning the bay, Pinnacle Rock, and the surrounding island is an active endeavor. Looking down from the vantage point, you can see sea lions on the beach, and blue-footed boobies diving for fish in the waters off the shore.

Snorkeling

The bay waters and those surrounding Pinnacle Rock are the place to see and swim with penguins, rays, sea lions, and schools of fish that will leave you breathless.

Further Under the Sea

For scuba divers, the waters around Bartolomew Point offer an adventurous dive along a reef that drops off into an underwater canyon. The area is home to sharks, turtles, rays, and quickly moving schools of fish. This site is a favorite of divers worldwide, and we can arrange a trip on our dive safaris.

For more information about where we can take you on a safari holiday at the camp, contact us through this site or our toll-free number.