February vs May

Best match

Whale shark aggregations at Darwin Island — the largest concentration of whale sharks on earth, accessible only by liveaboard.

• ↑Darwin and Wolf Islands (accessible only by 8-day liveaboard, February–October peak): the aggregation site for hundreds of pregnant female whale sharks — no diving experience on earth replicates the scale of 50+ whale sharks in a single dive
• ↑Manta ray season peaks in February: aggregations of 20–30 giant manta rays at Roca Redonda and Darwin Island alongside the whale sharks make this the single most wildlife-dense month in the archipelago

Best match

Shoulder season at its best: low prices, few visitors, and the last warmth before the Humboldt Current brings the cool season.

• ↑The lowest visitor numbers of the year (outside June–July which ironically sees more): last-minute liveaboard availability and day-cruise prices at their annual minimum
• ↑Rain essentially over (30mm — lightest of any month) with increasingly clear skies as the Humboldt Current begins its approach: good conditions for both snorkelling and island hikes