The last time we visited the Galapagos Islands, we asked the expert guides when the best time to visit the Islands is. Although Galapagos is a year round destination, many agree that May is the best month to visit as the weather and sea are at a sweet spot, warm weather and calmer seas for snorkelling. #galapagos🐢 #galapagosvacations #galapagosinmay #galapagosmay
Aren't these just the loveliest creatures? This is a group of White Nosed Coati in the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. There were about 30 animals in the group that we observed. They are a member of the Racoon family and as you can see, they don't have much fear of humans. It was enchanting watching this group go about its daily business!
One of the most striking things in the ancient rainforests of Costa Rica are the intricate tree roots of the forest floor. They are a visible sign of the smybiosis between living beings and the complexity of the life here. I was amazed when I saw this root connecting two large trees. I've never seen this before.
Emerald Toucanet emerging from its nest
From Rachel...
Whilst Ecuador still has the top space in my heart, and for me its biodiversity relative to its size can’t be topped, I am absolutely loving it here in Costa Rica. It is a true nature lovers paradise. I spent last night at Trogon Lodge, in the heart of San Gerado de Dota in the Talamanca Mountains, which is famous as one of the best places in the world to view the resplendent quetzal with its vivid green and red plumage that has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful birds. It did not disappoint!
Our guide Greivin Gonzalez, first took us to see a nest of the Emerald Toucanet (he took this video on my phone through his scope) – we were then treated to a fly over by a resplendent quetzal …. And it wasn’t even 6am!
We asked expert Galapagos Guide Maurizio when the best time to visit might be. His favourite time is May to July... find out why.
The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands
One of the most frequently asked questions we get is 'When is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands?'
When we were in Galapagos earlier this year, we asked expert Galapagos Guide Billy just that question... and here's his answer (hint - May is one of the highlights!)
Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve
I was in the Galapagos last month visiting suppliers and wanted to share this video (I have more to come!) of a giant tortoise speeding towards me at the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal Island.
Located in the highlands of San Cristobal this six hectare reserve created in 2003 is one of the Galapagos National Parks breeding centres for giant tortoises and is the only place where you can see the giant tortoises of San Cristobal (Geochelone chathamensis) in semi-captivity in a re-introduction project.
The idea of these breeding centres established by the Galapagos National Park is to try and increase the survival rate of new giant tortoise hatchlings and they are kept at the centre for the first few years of their life when they are particularly vulnerable to introduced predators before they are introduced into the wild. As you can see, they're doing a great job!
Rachel
What are the Galapagos Islands like in June? It's a wonderful month to visit as many of the native birds are courting and nesting. The air and sea temperatures are also perfect for exploring and snorkelling 🙂.
This video, taken by recent guest Lynne Smith shows the red volcanic earth of Rabida Island in contrast with the crystalline turquoise sea and green cacti. We hope you agree that the colours are stunning.
Lynne visited Rabida as part of an 8-day Western Itinerary on board the yacht Seaman Journey. If you'd like to find out more, get in touch with Rachel 🙂
This video of the Frigate Birds flying overhead from recent traveller Lynne Smith is really evocative of the Galapagos experience. This was filmed leaving Rabida Island on the way to Chinese Hat - however the friendly Frigate Birds are there and doing this for much of your Galapagos cruise. It's all just part of that incredible connection that is made with the wildlife that is around you on your visit. 🌍
This is from Lynne ""A short navigation. Chance to spend time on the top deck with our constant companions the Frigate Birds. They often tracked our boat. Soaring above - at exactly the same speed so we could just gaze at them from our loungers. 😍"
Introduction to Think Galapagos
May is one of my favourite times in the Galapagos Islands - and it's also one of the best times here in the UK. Find out more about me, Think Galapagos and what we do in my first in a series of personal videos 🙂
#galapagosholidays
#galapagosinmay
#galapagosvacation
#galapagostrips
A little tale of a night time visitor...🐱🐱
El Monte, in Ecuador’s cloud forest, is one of our favourite places in the world. Whilst some of our guests were staying there last month, the lodge noticed a chicken and duck had gone missing at night and so decided to set a trap camera …. they had a surprise visitor! It was a margay doing a little window shopping at the chicken coop!
Margays are among the most beautiful and mysterious of the spotted cats in the Americas, though now are sadly on the red list of endangered mammals. The Margay looks similar to the bigger Ocelot, although it is quite a lot smaller standing at just 30 cm tall (12 inches) In some parts of South America it is even called “little ocelot”.
Isn't it just beautiful? Thanks so much to El Monte for sharing this with us.
April marks a change in the Galapagos Islands - the dry season is now finally over and the trees, previously parched, have sprung to life and are covered in new green leaves.
April is a lovely time to visit the Galapagos as the air temperature is warm and the sea temperature is at its warmest for the whole year, with an average of 25 degrees. This makes it perfect for snorkelling and getting a glimpse of the underwater wonders of the Galapagos!
**What are the Galapagos Islands like in March?**
🐢 March sees the rainy season reaching its peak in the highlands of some of the larger islands leaving them at their most lush and verdant. Although it's called the rainy season, in reality it only rains for a short period each day.
🐢 Giant Tortoises up in these highlands start laying their eggs this month whilst Marine Iguanas are nesting in the coastal areas.
🐢 The weather on the coastal areas remains largely sunny and in fact March is also one of the sunniest months in Galapagos. Daily temperatures reach a daily high of 31 °C (87°F), with the average water temperatures 25 °C (77°F)
It's a fantastic time to visit and see Giant Tortoises as the video shows!!
This week we wanted to share with you the wonderful underwater footage shot by Jeff Runningen on a trip to Galapagos in January.
It is so evocative of Galapagos snorkels, the joy of playful sealions, the thrill of seeing your first shark, the challenge of staying still in shallow waters whilst you watch marine iguanas feeding underwater! Thanks so much to Jeff for sharing this with us. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Jeff was on board the Seaman Journey on their 8 day Western Galapagos itinerary and managed to get 11 snorkels in over his week in Galapagos. If this whets your appetite to come on a trip with us, you know what to do... call us on + 44 1482 887453.
The first video features one of the most iconic creatures of the Galapagos, the marine iguana.
Snorkelling with Cormorants in the Galapagos Islands
This video, taken in January 2022 captures the joy of snorkelling with sea birds in the Galapagos Islands. Seeing them above water, then diving down with them to experience their underwater world. Thanks to Jeff Runnigen for this lovely video, taken on his trip organised by Think Galapagos.
Snorkelling with Penguins in the Galapagos Islands
Ahh the joy of swimming with a rare sea bird in its natural habitat!
Thanks so much to Jeff Runningen who took this footage of Galapagos penguins on a trip to Galapagos in January. Jeff was on board the Seaman Journey on their 8 day Western itinerary and managed to get 11 snorkels in over his week in Galapagos.
🐢The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is one of the most iconic creatures of the archipelago. In fact, the word 'Galapagos' derives from an old Spanish word for tortoises. 🐢
FACT: There were more than 14 distinct species of giant tortoise across the Galapagos, 12 of which still exist today.
These majestic creatures were nearly all driven to extinction by the first humans to discover the Galapagos. Whalers and traders hunted this easy prey as source of fresh meat which could be kept alive on a ship for several months without any food or water.
Luckily most visitors to the Galapagos today get to experience this incredible animal :)
As we approach the weekend, it's time to start FEELING GOOD! Snorkelling with curious and playful sea lions in the Galapagos Islands is one of the best feelings in the world and one which many of the guests who travel with us get to experience.
Watch the video and imagine it's you 🙂.
The wildlife below the water in Galapagos is as fascinatingly rich and biodiverse as the wildlife on land. 👇👇
The waters around the Galapagos Islands are the second largest marine reserve in the world and protect one of Earths most unique underwater ecosystems. If you're into diving or snorkelling - THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE!!
You can swim with countless fish, sea lions, turtles, rays and more... got you dreaming? Check out our website for details
https://thinkgalapagos.com/galapagos-diving/
