Little by little, the rains are subsiding and the Galapagos Islands are painted in a beautiful vibrant green. Lush and full of life, the Archipelago is ready for courtship rituals and mating season this month of April! If you have already booked with us and we are expecting you this month, you have probably asked yourself: what can I see in Galapagos in April? Well, let us tell you! This is the time to see some of its most iconic BIG15 species in action and to see life as it takes its first steps across this world. In this blog, you’ll find a brief summary of what’s going on during this month. The Archipelago’s landscapes, wildlife, and sunsets are waiting for you! Are you ready to get in sync with the Galapagos aboard Yacht Isabela II?
With the exception of Easter Week – a big Holiday in Ecuador and throughout all Catholic countries – April is a relatively calm month to travel to the Galapagos (not that you would ever feel overwhelmed by the number of people). Remember that the Galapagos National Park only allows 75,000 visitors per year. This number is distributed throughout the year and well-curated itineraries will make sure you have most of the visitor sites all to yourself.
The Albatross Is The Only Marine Bird That Migrates From The Galapagos Islands
If you are into sword fights, you are going to love the waved albatross! Check out the Galapagos’ only colony of albatrosses over on Española Island as they arrive en masse to begin their courtship ritual, which is probably one of the noisiest and most interesting displays in the animal world. Albatrosses mate for life, so when they all go back to Española Island – males arrive first and females shortly after – the ritual begins. Males and females engage in a beak “fight,” very much like a sword fight. Scientists believe that this behavior of clapping their beaks is used to assist them in recognizing their partner. It is one of the most interesting events to see in the Galapagos!
Land Iguanas Are One Of The Galapagos Islands Iconic Species
Land iguana eggs start to hatch after a period of three to four months of calmly waiting in their underground nest. They can take up to a week to dig their way up to the surface, where they will have to watch out for predators and other dangers. It’s no surprise to find herons, owls or the Islands’ apex predator, the Galapagos hawk, lurking around nesting areas.
Giant Tortoise Babies Emerge From The Nest After Four To Eight Months
During this month, the hatching season of the Galapagos giant tortoises comes to an end. Even though they face a lower risk of threats than their marine cousins (the green sea turtles) tortoise hatchlings still have to watch out for their only predator – the Galapagos hawk. You can witness these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat up in the highlands of Santa Cruz or in captivity over at the Charles Darwin Research Station! All of our itineraries offer close encounters with these gentle reptiles!
Are you coming to the Galapagos this month? Are you planning your trip for next year? Let us know!
