Galapagos Islands holidays

The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depends partly on what you’re hoping to do and see. The year begins with mating season for some animals, such as marine iguanas which become brightly coloured, and many birds.

By March, young animals are being born, including sea lions, while flowers start to bloom on the islands, making for some eye-catching landscapes.

From June, it’s the beginning of mating season for blue-footed boobies, making it easier to spot them on land, before their chicks are born from around October. There’s also calmer weather from October after the windier months of August and September, although if you’re looking for the best time to visit Galapagos when it’s quiet, September is a good choice.

There are no direct flights from the Galapagos Islands from the UK – not too surprising when the answer to the question ‘Where are the Galapagos Islands’ reminds you that they sit around 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Instead anyone planning Galapagos tours needs to fly via Quito or Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador, before taking an onward flight to San Cristobal or Baltra Island.

UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands) for up to 90 days in a 12-month period. However, all visitors taking Galapagos Islands holidays must have a Transit Control Card (TCT) issued by INGALA (the Galápagos Governing Council) which costs US$20.

You can apply for this online in advance or get one at Quito or Guayaquil airports, and it needs to be presented on arrival and departure. All visitors are required to pay a Galapagos National Park Entrance fee, currently US$200 for UK citizens aged 12+ and most foreign tourists. This must be paid in cash at the airport on arrival.

There are two main seasons in the Galapagos, with cooler drier weather from June to November, and warmer, wetter months from December to May. This hotter period is the best time to visit Galapagos if you’re hoping to dive, as the water is calmer with better visibility and it’s also sunniest, with most rainfall confined to short drizzle rather than continuous downpours. August and September tend to have the roughest seas, although this is usually less of an issue for cruise ships, and the islands can be quieter during this time.

Whether you choose a Galapagos cruise or a land-based tour, you’ll still get to see some fantastic wildlife, so choosing between these Galapagos tours is partly down to personal preference. Needless to say, you can’t explore the archipelago without taking some boat trips; a land-based tour will limit your time at sea, but you’ll need to travel by boat during the day and you’ll be restricted in terms of how far you can travel.

A Galapagos cruise may cover some of the longer distances overnight, so you’re less aware of the journey involved, and enables you to voyage further, visiting islands such as Fernandina, Rabida and smaller islets.

By contrast, a land-based holiday gives you longer to explore a couple of islands in more depth, particularly Isabela and Santa Cruz. If you’re concerned about seasickness, a cruise will involve a larger ship, so you may be less affected than on smaller craft hopping between islands, although you will use smaller boats to access the little islands too.

A packing list for Galapagos Islands holidays depends partly when you plan to travel. During the warmer, rainy months, temperatures can rise to 30C with regular showers, so you’ll want lightweight fabrics and loose layers, and summer clothing such as T-shirts and shorts, or zip-off trousers, ideally in neutral shades (but avoid black and white). A hat and sunglasses are essential, as well as a swimming costume and rash vest. During the cooler, drier months, temperatures still remain around the mid 20Cs, although fog can leave it feeling even cooler, while you’ll also want extra layers for early morning and evenings.

A lightweight raincoat and day bag is a good idea year-round, along with sturdy but lightweight footwear which can cope with wet landings and the islands’ rocks. Waterproof walking sandals are a great option for the hotter months, or waterproof walking shoes when it’s cooler. Trainers are an alternative as you won’t be doing any serious hikes, but bring a pair you don’t mind getting wet and dusty, or add water shoes and be prepared to change if necessary. You won’t need anything too smart for the evening, even on Galapagos cruises, but you may want a few smart casual outfits to change into after a day exploring.

It's well worth bringing a proper camera, including a zoom lens, but make sure you have enough spare batteries and memory cards as well, or portable chargers if you’re using a phone. Binoculars are also ideal to get a good view of the wildlife. High SPF reef-safe sunscreen is also essential, as the sun is so strong at the equator, even during cooler months, while a well-stocked first aid kit including insect repellent and travel sickness medication is also a good idea – cruise ships will have first aid kits, but if there’s anything particular you may want, you’ll need to bring it with you.

Absolutely. You’ll need to travel through mainland Ecuador at least briefly to reach the Galapagos Islands, so it’s easy to extend your stay and explore Quito, as well as venturing into the Andes and the Ecuadorian Amazon during Galapagos Islands holidays. But it’s also easy to discover neighbouring Peru alongside Galapagos tours, including the country’s fascinating Inca history, before flying up to Quito or Guayaquil to reach the islands.