Is March a good time to visit the Galapagos Islands?

Galapagos tortoise, March in the Galapagos Islands

A couple of giant tortoises shuffling through Camp.

 

March in the Galapagos Islands continues the vibrant life initiated by the Warm and Wet season. The islands are awash in color as the vegetation remains lush and animals are highly active, engaging in nesting, mating, and birthing rituals.

 

Photos from March

All the photos in this article were taken during the month of March, either at Galapagos Safari Camp or on one of our Safaris.

 

Galapagos in March: At a glance

  • Warm & Wet Season
  • Peak of lush, green vegetation
  • Heightened mating and birthing season for wildlife
  • Air temperature: 23-32°C / 73-90°F
  • Sea temperature: 25-27°C / 77-80°F
  • Average rainfall: 3-6cm / 1.2-2.4in
  • Extended clear skies periods
  • Frequent, yet brief rain showers
  • Wind force: 1-3
  • Underwater visibility: approx 10-25m

 

Galapagos Weather in March

Paradise for sun lovers

March sees the continuation of the warm and wet season, with temperatures ranging comfortably for sun lovers between 23-32°C (73-90°F). The sea temperatures, now at their warmest, offer ideal conditions for extended snorkeling and swimming sessions.

 

Refreshing rain showers

The island experiences its share of rainfall, ensuring the flora stays vibrant. These showers are typically short-lived, clearing up quickly to reveal sunny, blue skies, making every day in March perfect for exploration and relaxation.

 

Clear night skies as seen from Galapagos Safari Camp (photo taken in March)

Clear night skies as seen from Galapagos Safari Camp.

 

Galapagos Wildlife in March

Giant tortoises at Galapagos Safari Camp

Giant tortoises at Galapagos Safari Camp

 

The wildlife in the Galapagos is fascinating and bountiful at any time of year. In March, you can expect the following

  • Land birds are highly visible, engaging in nesting activities
  • Galapagos sea lions are particularly playful, with pups often seen on the beaches
  • Both marine and land iguanas are visible, some still in mating colors
  • Newborn Galapagos giant tortoises may start to emerge

 

Additional sightings:

Species frequently spotted on our Safaris during March include:

  • Giant tortoises
  • Marine iguana
  • Land iguana
  • Sea lion
  • Blue-footed booby
  • Frigatebird
  • Galapagos Dove
  • Galapagos Finch
  • Galapagos Mockingbird
  • Galapagos Penguin
  • Flamingo
  • Galapagos Hawk
  • Various species of sharks
  • Various species of Darwin’s finches

 

Galapagos Safari Camp in March

Barn owl at Galapagos Safari Camp

Our resident Galapagos barn owl is often seen at Camp.

 

As the air fills with moisture, especially near the coasts, the highland location of Galapagos Safari Camp offers a refreshing retreat. Cooler evenings provide a perfect backdrop for dining under the stars and peaceful, comfortable nights without the need for air conditioning.

The sunset views in March are nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy your favorite beverage as you watch the sun cast its golden hues over the national park and the silhouetted islands.

 

Summary: Galapagos in March

With the Warm & Wet Season in full swing, March stands out as an excellent time for those seeking sunshine and adventure to visit the Galapagos Islands. Despite the expectation of rain, the weather is predominantly sunny, offering clear, blue skies and warm seas, enriching both land and underwater explorations.

 

March Reviews of Galapagos Safari Camp

The following are comments from guests who stayed at Galapagos Safari Camp in March.

Collected from feedback forms:

“Amazing service and experience. Fabulous property, exceptional service and food”

“This has been an amazing place to stay. Beautiful location, wonderful service from the staff and the food was absolutely scrumptious! [Name of guide] was the best tour guide we could have imagined. His experience and depth of knowledge were impressive. He kept us safe and made sure we were comfortable all the time. Fabulous stay. Thank you!”

“Setting is gorgeous. Loved the owls!”

“The staff is very attentive and we felt well cared for during our stay. [Name of guide] was an excellent guide. We enjoyed our tours with him and we appreciated his advice on which activities to do based on the weather and location. We had a great time and saw nearly all the wildlife we had wanted to see. There was a lot of care and coordination throughout our stay. Thank you!”

“What a dream come true! Every detail imaginable thought of. Thank you!”

“No detail left undone! The best experience. This would be a dream yoga retreat! Day tours were all fantastic. [Name of guide] was excellent and so knowledgable. Entire staff so friendly and accommodating. We will definitely write a great Google review! Thank you all!”

“We don’t know how you could do any better! Delicious, friendly, accommodating”

“Amazing! Thank you so much for eerything. Everything was perfect!”

“Food exceeded expectations for every meal!!”

“We cannot say enough about the experience. 10/10”

“Top notch service and food, waits and chefs were excellent.”

“The food was amazing, the wine suggested paired perfectly with the food. Everything was wonderful! Took such good care of us. Even if he couldn’t stop the torrential downpour, [name of guide] took good care of us. He was wonderful”

“Everyone was so wonderful. The chefs are amazing and Jorge’s musical talents were an unexpected treat!”

“We had a fantastic honeymoon. Thank you! [Name of guide] was incredible! So knowledgable and fun

“Everything was magical and perfect”

“Incredible! [Name of guide] was extraordinary. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Thank you for everything!

 

Tripadvisor and Google Reviews of Galapagos Safari Camp

For more testimonials, see our reviews on Tripadvisor (you can filter them for ‘time of year’) and also on Google.

“The Galapagos Safari Camp is situated beautifully amongst roads dotted with giant tortoises and with views of hills and water. …. The tailor made experience from the daily scheduling check ins made it particularly easy to travel with a young child.” Read full review on Google.

“My Mom and I returned from our trip to the Galapagos Safari Camp last weekend and we both want to thank the GSC team again for helping make this trip possible.The experience felt like a wonderful dream. …” Read full review on Google.

 

When to Visit the Galapagos by Month

For more information on the weather and wildlife in the Galapagos, please visit When to visit the Galapagos Islands or one of our monthly guides:

January, February, March, April, May. June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

 

SEE OUR SAFARIS

 

Wildlife Observation Disclaimer

Please note that our wildlife observations and insights are gathered from the first-hand experiences of our staff, guests, and professional Naturalist Guides. Our goal is to provide an authentic and immersive wildlife experience. However, it is important to recognize that wildlife encounters are by nature unpredictable. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the sighting of specific species or certain animal behaviors on our Safari tours. Each experience is unique, and we appreciate your understanding of the variability and spontaneity of wildlife interactions.