Visiting The Galapagos in September: All You Need to Know
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most magnificent places on earth. With unique wildlife, volcanic landscapes and a vibrant underwater world, the Galapagos is truly one of a kind. Deciding when to visit the Galapagos is a big decision. While the Galapagos can be visited all year round, each month certainly has its advantages and disadvantages. In this post, I’ve shared all you need to know about visiting the Galapagos in September.
September is a great month to visit the Galapagos. There are fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and the marine world comes to life with an array of rare Galapagos wildlife sightings possible. I spent two weeks cruising around the Galapagos in September with G Adventures. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better time to visit.
While September does also bring some disadvantages, it really is a fantastic time of year to visit the Galapagos. Here’s all you need to know about visiting the Galapagos in September, based on my experience.
Galapagos weather in September
The average temperature in the Galapagos Islands during September is 20°C (68°F). This makes it one of the coldest months in the Galapagos and perfect for those who want to explore without the scorching equator heat.
In terms of rain, September is one of the driest months. The Galapagos has two distinct seasons – the wet and dry. September is right in the heart of the dry season and the weather conditions tend to be very stable with little rain. September is also part of the ‘Garua season’ which is created by the Humboldt and Cromwell Ocean currents bringing in colder waters. This can sometimes lead to overcast days, giving a pleasant relief from the strong sun.
Although the Galapagos in September sees cooler temperatures which might not be for everyone, it’s important to note that the weather isn’t cold as such. The daytime temperatures can still reach 24°C (75°F) creating pleasant conditions for hiking and exploring the islands.
Reasons to visit the Galapagos in September
If you’re struggling to decide if visiting the Galapagos in September is the right choice for you, here are a few points to help.
Cooler and drier weather
September in the Galapagos brings cooler and drier weather. For those who want to avoid the scorching equator heat, September is a great time to visit. Cooler weather makes exploring the islands and the hiking trails much more bearable. I don’t think I ever felt too hot during my trip to the Galapagos in September.
Despite cooler temperatures, the weather is still relatively stable. The days can be overcast, but September is one of the driest months of the year making it an ideal time to visit.
Note: the sun is the Galapagos is powerful all year round. Even with the cooler temperatures and cloudier skies, it’s important to protect yourself. Be sure to wear SPF and a cap.
Snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities
The Galapagos is a fantastic diving and snorkelling destination all year round. Its vibrant underwater world is home to an array of unique species found nowhere else on earth, at least on this scale.
Snorkelling or diving in the Galapagos is a bucketlist activity for sure, and September is one of the best months for it. The underwater world is brought to life as the Humboldt Current brings nutrient-rich waters to the islands, attracting a range of marine life. It’s also when visibility is at its best.
For scuba divers, September in the Galapagos is a haven for wildlife such as whale sharks, manta rays and hammerhead sharks. For the best scuba diving, head to Wolf Island where you have the chance of seeing the elusive whale shark, the world’s largest fish. El Derrumbe, near to Wolf Island, is known to be one of the best diving spots on the planet. Kicker Rock near San Cristobal Island is another epic spot for diving.
If you’re joining a regular Galapagos Cruise, your itinerary will no doubt involve plenty of snorkelling opportunities. Look out for green sea turtles and penguins making the most of the nutrient-rich water. I saw incredible wildlife on all my snorkelling excursions. This included fur seals, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, rays and even sharks. It’s by far the best snorkelling I’ve ever experienced.
Swimming with seal pups and penguins
September is an active month for the Galapagos penguins and the sea lions. If swimming with sea lion pups or penguins is high on your list, then September is the perfect time to visit the Galapagos Islands.
The Galapagos Penguins are normally found around Fernandina, Isabela and Santa Cruz Island, but come September, the best place to see them is Bartolome Island. The Antarctic Humboldt Current brings nutrient rich and cooler waters to the area making it perfect for the penguins.
Swimming with the penguins is a game of luck in the Galapagos. I swam with a few in Bartolome Island. We weren’t expecting them to be there, but they appeared from nowhere and swam all around us. Pinnacle Rock is one of the best places to try to swim with the Galapagos Penguin.
September in the Galapagos also sees a bloom in sea lion pups. We saw baby sea lions on almost every island we visited. We also rarely had a snorkelling excursion that wasn’t interrupted by playful sea lions trying to grab our snorkelling equipment.
Land wildlife
It’s not just the underwater world that blooms in September, there is plenty of exciting activity happening on land as well.
Many visitors head to the Galapagos to see some of its unique wildlife including the notorious blue-footed boobies. While you can see this famed bird all year round in the Galapagos, September is the peak of their mating season. It’s also possible to see their newly hatched chicks.
The Waved Albatross is another incredible bird to see in September. They’ll be on land looking after their chicks and undertaking their famed mating courtship dance. It’s an incredible sight. Española Island is the only place to see this.
No article about the Galapagos Islands would be complete without mentioning the famed Galapagos Giant Tortoises. While these fascinating creatures can be spotted all year round, September is an active month for them on the island of Santa Cruz. Make sure your Galapagos Itinerary includes a stop here.
Whale watching
September in the Galapagos is the last chance to see humpback whales before they migrate back to cooler temperatures. September is also a great time to see Orcas in the Galapagos. The channel between Isabela and Fernandina Islands is one of the best places to try to spot whales. If seeing whales in the Galapagos is high on your list, be sure to pick a cruise that visits these islands.
Tip: this area is also a brilliant spot for seeing the famed marine iguanas.
It’s the low season
September is one of the quietest months in the Galapagos. If you’re hoping to explore this magnificent archipelago without hordes of other tourists or lots of other boats, September in the Galapagos is the perfect time.
You may also find that cruises and accommodation are cheaper in September compared to other months. Despite being quieter, it’s still important to plan your cruise well in advance as they do book up.
Reasons not to visit the Galapagos in September
Although September is a great time to visit the Galapagos Islands, there are also some disadvantages.
Rough seas
September and October see some of the roughest seas in the Galapagos. If you’re prone to seasickness, a trip to the Galapagos in September might not be the best idea.
The choppy and rough waters tend to strike during bigger ocean crossings between islands. During my cruise, some of the roughest seas were when we were travelling overnight between two destinations with little protection from land. There was one night where nearly everyone on the boat was suffering from motion sickness. This only happened on one or two occasions during my two weeks on the boat.
Cooler temperatures
With an average temperature of 20 °C (68 °F), September is the coldest month in the Galapagos. For those who love the heat, this may be a little offputting. While the days can still reach 24 °C (75 °F), it can still certainly be a chilly time to visit (especially when moving on the boat and in the evenings).
It’s worth noting that cooler temperatures make exploring the islands more bearable and the days are still warm.
Colder waters when snorkelling and diving
The Humboldt Current is working overdrive in September. While this creates nutrient-rich water great for marine wildlife viewing, it also means cooler water temperatures. The sea temperatures in September are some of the coldest of the year in the Galapagos Islands. On average, the water temperature is 22 °C (72 °F).
I can’t lie, snorkelling in the Galapagos in September wasn’t always the most comfortable experience. Even with a thick wetsuit, being in the water did feel very cold. With cooler air temperatures, you don’t necessarily quickly warm up afterwards either. I would say this is the biggest disadvantage of visiting the Galapagos in September.
It’s worth noting that your cruise company or tour company should provide you with a thick wetsuit to help keep you warm in the water. Colder waters also mean clear waters, so visibility is at its best during the month of September.
On a personal note, I wouldn’t say the water temperature ruined my trip by any means. Snorkelling in the Galapagos was an incredible experience and when you’re admiring the magnificent underwater life, you quickly forget about how cold it is.
Some vessels don’t operate
September is officially the low season in the Galapagos. The temperatures are cooler and children are back at school. With fewer tourists, September in the Galapagos tends to be a good month for tour companies to undertake maintenance on their vessels. This means you might find there are fewer boats and tours to choose from. If you have your eye on a specific boat or tour, it’s worth checking it runs in September.
Read next: the ultimate Ecuador backpacking route
What to pack for the Galapagos in September
Visiting the Galapagos Islands is no doubt a dream trip so you want to be prepared. Here are some extra items to include on your Galapagos packing list for if you are visiting in September.
- Long sleeve rash guard: you’ll likely be spending a lot of your time in the water. The sun is still very strong in September, so it’s worth investing in a good rash guard to protect your arms and back from the sun. This will also help to keep you warm in the cooler waters.
- Warm towel: with cooler waters, snorkelling and swimming in the Galapagos in September can be a cold experience! I’d recommend packing a warm towel to wrap yourself in after swimming. I only had a microfiber towel and nearly froze when I got out of the water. There is often a ride on a RIB boat back to your main ship and with the wind, this can be freezing!
- Long-sleeved tops: the mornings and evenings are likely to be cool during the month of September. Make sure you have some warmer clothes with you, such as a long-sleeved top, light sweater or even a light jacket for those cool evenings sailing across the ocean.
- Wind-proof jacket: if you’re like me and enjoy sitting out on the boat deck, you’ll benefit from packing a wind-proof jacket. Those sails across the open ocean can be very cold with the wind. Pack a jacket so you can still make the most of the boat and scenery.
- Sun hat: despite the cooler temperatures, the sun can still be very powerful. I’d recommend packing a hat to protect yourself and don’t forget to wear SPF.
Summary: Is September a good time to visit the Galapagos?
There’s no best time of the year to visit the Galapagos as such, but September is a great option. The rainy season has come to an end and the cooler temperatures make exploring the islands more bearable. September is also a fantastic time of year to experience the underwater world which is full of life come September. Whenever you visit the Galapagos Islands, you will no doubt have the time of your life.
I booked my tour with G Adventures, I can’t recommend them enough (PS, I receive no benefit from recommending them).
Did you find this post on visiting the Galapagos in September useful? Share on social media below.
