Travel guide · Month by Month
Galápagos in February
February is Galápagos' warmest stretch: flamingos start nesting on Floreana, marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz and the sea is calm and at its warmest.…
February is the heart of the warm season, and by most measures the warmest month of the Galápagos year. Air peaks around 30 °C, the water reaches its operator-average high, and rainfall hits its annual maximum, though “maximum” in Galápagos still means brief afternoon downpours, not days of grey. It is a month where the wildlife action moves to nests: flamingos on Floreana, marine iguanas on Santa Cruz, and the last of the Nazca boobies finishing up on Española.
It is also, outside Carnaval week, one of the quieter months on the boats. The combination of warm water, calm sea and regular demand is why we often steer snorkel-first travellers here.
February at a glance
| February | |
|---|---|
| Air | 30 °C by day, 23 °C at night |
| Water | about 24 °C (operators’ average), 26 °C at the surface (satellite) |
| Rain | the rainiest month at Puerto Ayora (about 131 mm), in afternoon showers |
| Sea | calm; visibility near its best |
| Wildlife | flamingos nesting, marine iguanas nesting, green turtles nesting, red-footed boobies on Genovesa |
| Crowds | low to moderate; a bump at Carnaval |
| Cruises sailing | 206 departures on 24 yachts, from US$2,000 per person |
Weather in February
Air averages 30 °C high and 23 °C low. February is the rainiest month at Puerto Ayora, around 131 mm in a typical year, but the warm-season pattern holds: bright mornings, a shower in the afternoon, sun again by evening. Humidity is at its highest, which is the thing visitors notice more than the rain. Pack light rain gear and quick-dry clothes rather than a heavy jacket, and plan the walks for the morning.
The highlands are at their lushest. The Santa Cruz tortoise reserves are green and muddy, the wallows are full, and the tortoises gather in them, which makes February one of the better months for a highlands morning.
The sea in February
The sea stays calm, and February is the warmest month for water by the operators’ averages at around 24 °C. Satellite sea-surface readings for Puerto Ayora run warmer still, near 26 °C: the surface layer in the warm season is genuinely bath-like. In practice, snorkellers are comfortable without wetsuits, and long swims or snorkel sessions are easy. Underwater visibility in the warm season is at its best of the year, since the calm, warm, clear water of the Panama current dominates.
Penguins largely shift to the western islands, Isabela and Fernandina, in February, following the cooler water there. If seeing one is a priority, the west is where your itinerary should go; the penguin page explains where the colonies sit.
Wildlife in February
- Flamingos start nesting on Floreana. At Punta Cormorant’s brackish lagoon, American flamingos build their cone-shaped mud nests from February onward. They are shy birds: keep distance and quiet, and note they will abandon a nest if disturbed, which is exactly why your guide enforces the trail rules. Floreana has the detail.
- Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz. Females dig burrows in sand and soil, sometimes right beside the visitor paths, and lay their eggs. Watch where you step and give nesting females space.
- Nazca boobies wrap up on Española. February marks the end of the Nazca booby nesting season there.
- Green turtles are still nesting. The January to March window is in full swing, with hundreds of eggs going into the sand on the main beaches.
- Red-footed boobies nest on Genovesa. February falls within their nesting period, and Genovesa holds one of the largest colonies of the species on the planet.
Where to go in February
For flamingos, Floreana. For the marine iguana nesting, Santa Cruz’s beaches and trails, which you can do land-based. For the red-footed boobies, a northern itinerary with Genovesa. For penguins, the west. A central and southern route gives you the turtles, the iguanas and Floreana in one week; the northern loop adds Genovesa. Snorkel-driven travellers do well on almost any route in February because the water is warm everywhere, so pick the itinerary by the birds rather than by the sea.
Crowds, prices and departures in February
February is regular demand by Galápagos standards, with one exception: Carnaval, the long national holiday, which falls in February or early March depending on the year and fills flights and boats with Ecuadorian travellers for four or five days. Outside that week the islands are quiet, and the ferries and day tours have space.
In our inventory, 206 departures on 24 yachts sail in February, from US$2,000 per person, with a median fare of US$5,795. The full list is on our February departures page. Book your preferred boat two to three months out as a baseline, and earlier if Carnaval falls within your trip.
The fixed costs do not change: the US$20 transit card before you fly and the US$200 park fee for foreign adults on arrival, both in the entry fee guide. Flights sit in the middle of their US$400–550 range outside the Carnaval days.
What to pack for February
The warm-season list: quick-dry clothing, a light rain shell, a hat with a strap, reef-safe mineral sunscreen, a rash guard and plenty of water capacity. No wetsuit needed for most people. Mosquito repellent earns its place in February, because the rains bring the insects out around the highland lagoons. The full checklist is in our packing guide.
Who February suits, and who should wait
- Warm-water lovers. The sea is at its most inviting; snorkelling is easy and long.
- Birders with flamingo on the list. This is when nesting starts and the lagoon birds are most tied to their sites.
- Travellers who want green islands. The highlands are at their lushest.
- Anyone avoiding rough seas. February sits squarely in the calm stretch.
Think twice if humidity wears you down (February is the warmest, most humid month), if you want penguins but will not go west, or if the albatross is your reason for coming (still absent until April). January is the month before, March the month after, and the whole year is compared in best time to visit Galápagos.
Frequently asked questions
Is February the hottest month in Galápagos?
It is one of the two warmest, with March. Air reaches about 30 °C by day and the sea surface is at its warmest of the year, around 26 °C by satellite readings. Afternoon showers cool things briefly.
Is the sea calm in February?
Yes. February sits in the calm half of the year, which runs from roughly November to May. Crossings are gentle, snorkelling is easy and visibility is near its best.
Can I see flamingos in February?
February is when flamingo nesting begins at Punta Cormorant on Floreana, and the birds are tied to the lagoon. Sightings are likely but never guaranteed, because the population is only a few hundred birds across the archipelago.
Does Carnaval affect a Galápagos trip?
Yes, for a few days. Carnaval is a national holiday in February or early March and Ecuadorian travellers fill flights, ferries and some boats. Book earlier if those dates fall inside your trip, or travel the week after.
Sources
- Galápagos weather and seasons, International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA)
- Monthly sea surface temperature at Puerto Ayora (NOAA satellite data)
- Sea birds of Galápagos, Galápagos Conservancy
- How to get to Galápagos, Ecuador Travel (Ministry of Tourism)
Last verified: October 2026