Paul Schicke
Written by Paul Schicke Senior Expedition Designer

Updated: April 20, 2026
Published: June 24, 2019

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Galapagos Sea Lion pup on a white sand beach in the Galapagos Islands

One of the questions we get asked the most at Quasar is this—What’s the best time of year to travel to the Galapagos? And as much as we’d love to deliver a simple, straightforward answer, the truth is that every single month of the year brings its own unique advantages, opportunities, and natural events that make it worthwhile based on each traveler’s interests and goals for their trip.

This is certainly true when it comes to the month of January, when the weather is warm and the water is clearer than you can imagine. That’s why we put together this helpful guide to fill you in on 6 of the best parts about visiting the Galapagos in January, from dazzling wildlife to unbeatable weather.

Temperatures for Galapagos Islands in January:

Average Low: Average High: Water Temperature: Average Rainfall:
70°F / 21°C 84°F / 29°C 74°F / 23°C 2.00 inches / 5.08 cm

Key Takeaways

  • January is part of the Galapagos’ warm season - bringing warmer air and water temperatures, sunny days, and occasional short tropical showers.
  • Snorkeling and water activities are at their most comfortable - warmer seas and calmer conditions allow for longer, more relaxed time in the water.
  • A popular time to visit with a lively atmosphere - early January sees holiday travelers, but thoughtful planning ensures a more personal, immersive experience.
  • Wildlife activity is vibrant across both land and sea - with active marine life and seasonal behaviors that make each day feel dynamic and varied.

1. The Best Time to Snorkel with Penguins

In January, some of the Galapagos penguin species are at their most active. They love swimming through the mild waters of the islands’ warm season, searching for food. The Galapagos penguin, found only on the islands and the only penguin found north of the equator, is a playful and rare species that can only be seen her. This makes January an incredible time to visit for nature and wildlife lovers of all kinds. Meanwhile, their high level of activity just so happens to coincide perfectly with the clear waters that occur at precisely this time of year.

Little boy snorkeling, Galapagos Penguins perched on rocks

2. Incredible Underwater Visibility

Though the Islands water is incredibly clear year-round, January brings fresh currents from the sea that make the water clear as glass and perfect for snorkeling in the Galapagos. From the Galapagos penguins to a wide range of sea life including beautifully colored fish, striking green sea turtles and countless others, January is one of the year’s best times to capture incredible underwater scenes (and impressive photos for underwater photographers who join us on our photography cruises.) If you’re looking for world-class snorkeling, January in the Galapagos is a must-do event.

Snorkerler swimming next to a green sea turtle in crystal blue ocean water, best underwater visibility in January

3. The Warmest Water of the Year

Want to experience some of the warmest water the Galapagos has to offer? It’s right here waiting for you during the month of January. As warmer currents and warmer air enter the region, the coastal waters surrounding the islands rise to 77°F (25°C) so comfortable and inviting that you won’t believe it when you first dip your toes into the water. This makes for wonderful swimming, wading, snorkeling, and exploring the marine areas surrounding the Islands.

A pair of Galapagos Sea Lions on the surface level of the warm ocean current in the Galapagos Islands

4. Warm and Sunny Days with Clear Skies

While the wet season has officially begun by January, it still doesn’t reach a point where you should expect long periods of rain. While a brief afternoon sprinkle may occur, you can generally expect warm and sunny days beneath the clear-blue skies of the Islands. Combine that with the warm and pleasant water, and you’ll find yourself enjoying a true paradise beyond anything you could have imagined.

A perfect sunny day on the white sand beach with wildlife in the Galapagos

5. Nesting Green Sea Turtles

Our guests aren’t the only ones who take the opportunity in January to get nice and comfortable. This is also the period during which the green sea turtles in the area begin to nest, laying their eggs in the sand surrounding the island. At Quasar, we love getting our guests up close and personal with these beautiful creatures without disturbing their nesting grounds—and there’s no better time than in January to see them!

Green Sea Turtle nest found dug in a Galapagos beach

6. Mating Land Iguanas and Marine Iguanas

The Iguanas of the Galapagos are nearly as famous as the Galapagos Tortoises, and January marks their annual mating season. You’ll see large land iguanas and stunning marine iguanas on the coasts and even in the water, sunning themselves and looking for mates around the Island. It’s an incredible time to see these distinctive reptiles up close.

At Quasar, what we love most about the Galapagos is how every time of year brings its own unique adventures while the temperate climate ensures that there’s no wrong time to visit.

A land iguana standing still, ready for matin season in the Galapagos

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Paul Schicke
By Paul Schicke
Senior Expedition Designer

Hello! My name is Paul. I am photographer, traveler, teacher and writer. I have extensive experience in travel to Galapagos, Peru, Patagonia and the western seaboard of South America specializing in ways travelers can experience these once-in-a-life destinations like locals on the road. Lover of wine, chocolate, travel, coffee, and helping others plan vacations of a lifetime!

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COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS POST?
4 comments
    • Paul Schicke
      • October 31, 2022 at 7:46 pm

      Hi James! During a La Niña event, average ocean temperatures in the Galapagos Islands tend to be a bit cooler than normal. This is a good thing as the Humboldt current, which is a nutrient rich current coming from Antarctica that drives the regions food change, is not interrupted as it is during an El Niño. Keep in mind that the warmest average ocean temperature in the Galapagos is 77F / 25C which is during January, February and March, i.e. you typically always want to wear a wet suit in the Galapagos and Quasar includes the use of full length wet suits in all its cruises. So expect things to be a bit cooler during January during a La Niña. The Galapagos Islands are a marine desert environment and it typically never rains there in January.

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      • Karen
        • June 21, 2024 at 8:29 pm

        Hi Paul, when rains in January is just usually a stray shower or heavy rainfall during the day? Concerned about when being on tours etc, rain, clouds no sunny scenery and dull blue water. Different websites say different things. Does La Nina tend to bring less rainfall then for January? 

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      • Paul Schicke
        • June 25, 2024 at 1:56 pm

        Hi Karen!

        The only time it rains reliably along the coast of the Galapagos Islands is in April. Otherwise you will find that the Galapagos coastline, where you will spend about 90% of your time, is a marine desert environment with cactus. The exception is during an El Niño event, when the water is warmer resulting in more rain along the coast, as happened this past year with heavy rains in March. It rains in the highlands of the Galapagos islands from June through December during the garua season. It typically never rains that hard in Galapagos and it can be nice to visit when it does as it is the rare time that the desert coast greens up somewhat.

        Typically January through March are the sunniest months in the Galapagos. As mentioned during April it can rain along the coast. May is typically clear and June is when the garua arrives, characterized by a high cloud marine layer. This usually burns off in the afternoon or might not form at all. Sometimes it persists for the entire day. At the end of October, November and early December the garua starts to taper off with more blue skies and cumulus clouds.

        La Niña tends to tends to bring cooler water temperatures and drier conditions. The cold water currents tend to be nutrient rich and benefit wildlife.

        Finally because more severe storms like hurricanes form in the tropics and head toward the poles you never see these in Galapagos. Hope this helps!

        – Paul

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