Ecuador, South America

Galapagos Islands in May

A transition month with great wildlife: blue-footed booby courtship on North Seymour and waved albatross courtship on Espanola.

BestWarm, highs near 82F (28C), water starting to cool

Sally Lightfoot crab, Galapagos Islands — Galapagos IslandsPhoto: Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps, Public domain

The straight answer

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Galapagos Islands. A transition month with great wildlife: blue-footed booby courtship on North Seymour and waved albatross courtship on Espanola.

Weather: Warm, highs near 82F (28C), water starting to cool
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What May is like in Galapagos Islands

May is a transition month and one of the best for wildlife. Highs are near 82F (28C), the sea is still fairly calm, and the water starts to cool slightly. Skies are mostly sunny. Crowds are light and prices moderate, since it falls between the Easter and summer peaks.

May suits wildlife lovers, photographers, and families who want calm seas with lots of animal activity. Blue-footed boobies court on North Seymour and waved albatrosses dance on Espanola. There is really no one this month does not suit, other than those who want the warmest possible water, who should come in February.

Make the most of May

What is especially good about Galapagos Islands this month.

Blue-footed booby courtship

The foot-lifting, sky-pointing dance is easy to see on North Seymour, close to Santa Cruz.

Albatross courtship on Espanola

Waved albatrosses perform their bill-clacking courtship dances, a highlight of the early season.

Quieter sites

Fewer visitors mean more space at popular landing sites.

What to pack for May

A shorty wetsuit as the water starts to cool
Binoculars
A light layer for breezy boat decks
Reef-safe sunscreen

Our timing tip

Book cruises that stop at both North Seymour and Espanola to see two of the islands' best courtship displays in one trip.

Book Galapagos Islands for May.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Galapagos Islands
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Vacation rentals in Galapagos Islands
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Galapagos Islands for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in May

Waved albatross season on Espanola

Roughly April through December

Nearly the entire world population nests on Espanola. Courtship dances peak in the early months.

Green sea turtle nesting

Roughly December through June

Turtles come ashore to nest in the warm season, with hatchlings emerging from around March.

Blue-footed booby courtship

Year-round, with strong activity from May through August

The foot-lifting, sky-pointing dance is easiest to see on North Seymour and Espanola.

Things to do in Galapagos Islands

Full guide

Charles Darwin Research Station

On Santa Cruz, the main place to learn about tortoise conservation and the islands' science.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Santa Cruz highlands tortoise reserves

See wild giant tortoises grazing in the misty highlands. Mornings are cooler and the tortoises more active.

Tickets and tours →

Espanola Island

Waved albatross colonies from roughly April to December, plus blue-footed boobies and colorful marine iguanas. Reached by cruise or select day tours.

Tickets and tours →

Bartolome and Pinnacle Rock

Climb to the classic viewpoint, then snorkel with penguins in the bay.

Tickets and tours →

Isabela Island

The largest island, with the Sierra Negra volcano, flamingo lagoons, and penguins along the coast near Puerto Villamil.

Tickets and tours →

North Seymour

Frigatebird and blue-footed booby colonies close to Santa Cruz. The easiest place to see the booby courtship dance.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Avoid late June through August and Christmas to New Year, when cruises sell out and prices peak.
April, May, and November give the best balance of wildlife, sea conditions, and availability.
Book small expedition cruises 6 to 12 months ahead for high season; last-minute deals sometimes appear in Quito or Puerto Ayora in the shoulder months.
On land-based trips, stay on Isabela or San Cristobal for a quieter base than Santa Cruz.

Know before you go

Some cruise boats go into dry dock for maintenance around September and October, limiting options in those months.
Visitor sites are strictly regulated: most require a licensed naturalist guide, and itineraries are set by the park, so not every boat visits every island.
The park entry fee is paid in cash on arrival, and the transit control card is bought in Quito or Guayaquil before the flight.
Rough seas in August and September can lead to changes in day tours and uncomfortable crossings between islands.

Galapagos Islands in May, quick answers

Is May a good time to visit Galapagos Islands?

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Galapagos Islands. A transition month with great wildlife: blue-footed booby courtship on North Seymour and waved albatross courtship on Espanola.

What is the weather like in Galapagos Islands in May?

Warm, highs near 82F (28C), water starting to cool.

Is Galapagos Islands crowded in May?

May is one of the quieter months in Galapagos Islands; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Galapagos Islands in May?

Waved albatross season on Espanola (roughly april through december); Green sea turtle nesting (roughly december through june); Blue-footed booby courtship (year-round, with strong activity from may through august).