Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Galápagos in August
August is the rawest month in Galápagos. It has the coolest air of the dry season, the strongest currents of the year, and swell on the exposed coasts. None of that scares off travelers: this is peak season, and the beaches answer with something worth the wind. Sea lion pups start arriving.
Weather in August
Days average about 23 °C, nights around 19 °C, the coolest combination of the year together with September. The garúa keeps the highlands green and frequently overcast, while the coasts see sun between mists. Pack a fleece for early navigations; out on deck, the wind makes 23 °C feel closer to 15.
Rain is close to its annual minimum. You may go a week without seeing anything more than drizzle.
The sea in August
This is the month to take the sea seriously. Currents reach their annual maximum and west- and south-facing coasts get swell, which is exactly where Fernandina, Isabela and parts of Española sit. Landings stay manageable because guides work the lee sides, but some snorkel sites get rescheduled or swapped.
Water is at its coldest: 19–20 °C by operator averages, with satellite surface readings at Puerto Ayora averaging about 23.7 °C. The gap between the two numbers is the difference between surface and swim depth. Rent the wetsuit, and if you dive, take the thick one.
Wildlife in August
August belongs to the sea lions. Pups are born from August through November on the western and central islands, and the rookeries turn into nurseries: males barking, females commuting, newborns finding their feet on the sand.
Also in progress:
- Galápagos hawks are in courtship over the arid zones.
- Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa, one of the densest seabird shows in the archipelago.
- Giant tortoises climb back to the green highlands after nesting in the lowlands.
- Migratory shorebirds begin arriving from the Arctic and stay through March, picking across the lava at the waterline.
Whale watchers still have a window: humpbacks remain in the Bolívar Channel through September. September’s page has more on how that month differs.
Who August suits (and who it doesn’t)
August suits travelers who want peak wildlife drama and can accept peak conditions alongside it: cool water, firm currents, some bumpy crossings. Divers get the richest season of the year, because cold water here means nutrients, and nutrients mean everything else.
If you are prone to seasickness, think hard before choosing August for a long cruise; talk to the operator about itineraries with shorter crossings. If warm-water snorkeling is the whole point of your trip, this is the wrong month. And if you want empty trails, August is the opposite of that.
Booking advice for August
August is high season, and the boats that suit it best sell out furthest in advance. Book early rather than hoping for a deal; late availability in peak months is real but skewed. Remember the fixed costs on arrival: $200 park fee for foreign adults plus the $20 transit card, all covered in our guide to entry fees.
September keeps the cold water but empties out the boats, which changes both the price and the mood; see Galápagos in September. For the month after the pups keep coming, read Galápagos in October. And if you want to compare the whole dry season at a glance, Galápagos in July is where it starts.
Last verified: September 2026