Best time to dive the Galapagos

There is no bad month to dive the Galapagos. There are two seasons: warmer, calmer water from December to May, and cooler, plankton-rich water from June to November, when whale sharks pass Darwin Island. Which is best depends on what you most want to see.

Diver beside a whale shark in the Galapagos

December – May

Warm season

22–28°C · 71–82°F

Calmer seas and the best light and visibility
Manta rays at cleaning stations
Hammerheads at Darwin and Wolf
A 5 mm wetsuit is usually enough

June – November

Cool season

18–23°C · 64–73°F

Whale sharks at Darwin, mostly July to December
The biggest hammerhead schools
Choppier seas and colder thermoclines
Bring a 7 mm wetsuit, hood and gloves

Water temperature, month by month

Jan24–28°C

Feb24–28°C

Mar24–28°C

Apr22–25°C

May22–25°C

Jun22–25°C

Jul18–23°C

Aug18–23°C

Sep18–23°C

Oct18–23°C

Nov21–24°C

Dec21–24°C

Warm seasonTransitionCool season

What you'll see, and when

Months	Water	Seas	Highlights
January – March	24–28°C (75–82°F)	Calm	Warmest, clearest water. Manta rays at cleaning stations; hammerheads at Darwin and Wolf.
April – May	22–25°C (71–77°F)	Moderate	Transition months. Mantas still around; water starts to cool by late May.
June	22–25°C (71–77°F)	Moderate	Cool currents arrive and hammerhead schools grow. Humpback whales start passing (June–September).
July – October	18–23°C (64–73°F)	Choppy	Whale shark peak at Darwin, the largest hammerhead schools, rich plankton. Thermoclines can drop to 15°C (59°F) or lower.
November – December	21–24°C (70–75°F)	Moderate	Water warming again. Whale sharks still possible into December; mantas return toward the warm season.

Year-round: Galapagos sharks, sea lions, turtles, eagle rays and schools of reef fish. Wildlife follows the currents, so sightings are likely, never guaranteed.

Which season is right for you?

Whale sharks first: go between July and November. These are the most popular dates, so they fill first. Book well ahead.

Warmer water and calmer crossings: go between January and May. It's also the better time for mantas and for divers who feel the cold.

Hammerheads: they're at Darwin and Wolf all year, with the largest schools in the cool season.

Traveling with non-divers: the warm season usually brings sunnier days and calmer seas for island walks and snorkeling. In the cool season, the air is cooler and often misty, but the wildlife stays busy.

Find dates in your season

See open cabins and spaces by month for dive liveaboards and naturalist cruises.

See availability

Diving Darwin and Wolf

What the dives are like, how long you spend there, and which boats go.

Read the Darwin & Wolf guide