Safari to Isla Bartolome

young enough to be obviously volcanic

Set just off the eastern coast of the much larger Isla Santiago, Isla Bartolomé is one of the most beautiful locations in Galapagos.

Area : 1 sq km / 0.5 sq mi
Location : 30 km northwest of Seymour Airport

Isla Bartolomé, along with the nearby Bahía Sulivan, were named after a friend of Charles Darwin, Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan, a lieutenant aboard HMS Beagle.

Landing site BA1 : Playa Dorada
Activities : beaches, swimming, snorkelling
Highlights : Galapagos penguins, green turtles

At the western end of Isla Bartolomé there is a cluster of pretty beaches, notably Playa Dorada, with the iconic Pinnacle Rock.

The swimming and snorkelling here is excellent, with sightings including penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and other tropical fish.

This island is one the few locations where Galapagos penguins (the second smallest type of penguin) can be found, with a small breeding colony usually located in a cave near to Pinnacle Rock. It is forbidden to walk on the rocks at either end of the beach, for fear of disturbing nest sites. On occasion you can see penguins fishing in the bay.

Green turtles sometimes use the beaches here as nesting sites.

A short walk to the south, over a sand dune and through some mangroves, leads to a separate beach, where swimming is prohibited, but where it is often possible to view stingrays and sharks from the shore.

Landing site BA2 : Escalera
Activities : walking
Highlights : geology, views

The central volcanic dome of Isla Bartolomé can be a tough climb, with an 800 metre trail ascending around 400 steps, to reach the summit at 115 metres above sea level.

From the top there are some spectacular views, especially back to Pinnacle Rock and Isla Santiago.

The hill itself is comprised of relatively young lava flows, with a few pioneer plants, including patches of Galapagos lava cactus.

To the east of the summit there are some subsidiary spatter cones, with thick lava droplets. To the west lie tuff cones (volcanic ash sediment).

Pinnacle Rock is the one such cone, which has eroded to expose its lava core.

Due to the delicate nature of the lava, it is essential that visitors do not walk off the path.

If you specifically want to include Isla Bartolomé in your trip, then do let us know and we will make sure that you get onto the best and most appropriate boat.

The island is usually included in the following live-aboard cruise itineraries

the island features in many boat itineraries