What to See on Bartolome Island
A wild paradise, Bartolome Island is one of the best islands to visit in the Galapagos. The landmass is completely unpopulated, bar its wonderful animal residents. Such tranquillity leaves the islet a serene, unspoilt area to explore.
When it comes to what to see on Bartolome Island, prepare to be blown away by its fascinating volcanic landscape. What this little island lacks in size is certainly made up for in its natural attractions.
It is even home to one of the most famous landmarks in the entire archipelago: Pinnacle Rock. This majestic, cone-shaped formation offers a unique beauty, along with astounding vistas over the island’s coastline.
The allure of Bartolome Island is certainly not limited to this legendary attraction. For starters, the island is home to one of the best dive sites in the Galapagos. Along with a vibrant population of colorful fish, sea lions and rays, you will be able to see what many think of as the archipelago’s cutest resident: the Galapagos penguin.
There is also a dazzling variety of land-based animals on Bartolome Island. Prepare to cross paths with everything from marine iguanas to lava lizards.
In this article, we outline the top things to see on Bartolome Island to make it as easy as possible for you to plan an unforgettable trip to the Galapagos Islands.
History of Bartolome Island
Wondering how Bartolome Island was formed? The island used to be a volcano, until it emerged from below the sea around 2 million years ago, making it one of the youngest Galapagos Islands.
Regarding its name, Bartolome Island, otherwise known as Bartholomew Island, was named after Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan. This gentleman served as the principal surveyor and second lieutenant on the HMS Beagle in 1835, the ship that brought Charles Darwin to the archipelago.
Bartholomew developed a close friendship with the revolutionary and was also honored with the naming of Sullivan Bay, the landing point of Santiago Island.
Where is Bartolome Island?
Bartolome Island is right in the center of the Galapagos archipelago, in Sullivan Bay to the east of Santiago Island. Thanks to its central location, visitors can gaze over at the ten surrounding islands on a clear, sunny day.
The unique landmass also lies a short day trip from Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz, making it a must-visit on any Galapagos Island cruise.
Stretching just 0.5 miles long, Bartolome Island is significantly smaller than some of the other isles in the archipelago. The serene landscape of this unpopulated island lies completely unspoilt and is home to a wealth of incredible natural sites and wildlife. In fact, it is one of the best places in the Galapagos Islands to see lava lizards, thanks to its dry, rocky landscape.
How Do You Get To Bartolome Island?
As a small, unpopulated landmass with no airport, many visitors wonder how to get to Bartolome Island. You’ll be pleased to hear that it is easier than you might think! All you need to do is book a cruise that includes a trip to this unique part of the archipelago.
The sites on Bartolome Island can easily be ticked off on a day trip starting from the islands of Santiago and Santa Cruz.
What to See on Bartolome Island
There are many spectacular things to see and do on Bartolome Island, so we have listed some of our favorites below.
1. Pinnacle Rock Viewpoint
Pinnacle Rock is easily one of the best things to see on Bartolome Island. In fact, this dramatic arrow-shaped rock formation is one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos Islands.
Pinnacle Rock has a striking cone shape which emerges dramatically from the ground. It is an example of a tuff cone, a formation which is created when water enters the volcanic vents and contacts magma, causing it to explode outward.
Before you even tackle the hike to its viewpoint, you will be able to enjoy a touch of excitement on ground level. A colony of Galapagos penguins frequents its base, along with plenty more fascinating creatures.
You can expect to see a wonderful array of Bartolome Island birds along with playful sea lions. Take a moment to gather yourself amidst this spectacular setting before beginning your hike.
If the sight of Pinnacle Rock seems peculiarly familiar to you, you might well be recognising it from its film debut! The legendary Galapagos landmark made an iconic appearance in the 2003 film Master and Commander featuring Russel Crowe and Paul Bettany.
Now onto the trek itself. Climb to the top of Pinnacle Rock to be treated to a sensational vantage point over the island’s stunning coastline. This is also a wonderful spot for seeing some of the Bartolome Island birds, including hawks and penguins.
If you do plan on completing this hike, be sure to pack sunblock, a hat and suitable footwear. Nothing ruins the fun like a blister or sunburn!
2. Bartolome Summit Trail
Take the trail to Bartolome Summit to tick off one of the most photographed views in all of the Galapagos Islands. The vista offers the perfect perspective over Pinnacle Rock, along with the island’s gorgeous coastline.
The trail begins with a 600-meter wooden boardwalk which takes you through the island at an elevated position to protect its lunar-like landscape. Next, you will face a wooden staircase that will take you to the top of the 20-foot formation.
While braving the trek, be sure to take breaks to catch your breath. Do not feel any pressure to push yourself beyond your limits in fear of holding up those behind you. There is more than enough room for others to pass by if need be.
Giving yourself these breaks will also give you some time to stop and appreciate the incredible volcanic rock formations on Bartolome Island. Also look out for endemic vegetation such as Tiquilia nesiotica, lava cactus and scalesia bushes.
These fascinating plant species are some of the few varieties that can tolerate the arid, ash-covered volcanic slopes. In this way, they tell a tale of how difficult it is for plants to thrive on volcanic land.
As you tackle the final few steps, the most awe-inspiring vista over the Galapagos Islands will come into view. Gaze over golden-sand beaches, azure waters and the unmistakable sight of Pinnacle Rock below you.
You will also be able to see Daphne Major, Daphne Mindor and the rest of Santiago Island. The view is absolutely breathtaking, making this hike one of the best activities in the Galapagos Islands.
3. Bartolome Dive Site
Bartolome Dive Site is an excellent place to go for those looking to check out the island’s vibrant marine life. Home to hundreds of species, it is recognised as one of the best places to go scuba diving in the Galapagos.
Delving into these waters is one of the best ways to appreciate the variety of Bartolome Island animals. You can expect to see white-tipped reef sharks, marine turtles, rays and much more at this flourishing spot.
Yet, it is often the Galapagos penguins that end up stealing the show at this site. Not your average bird, the Galapagos penguin is the only species of penguin to naturally exist north of the equator and one of the smallest in the world.
You can snorkel alongside these playful little creatures here, getting a unique insight into their underwater life as they swim around in search of food. There is also a high likelihood that you’ll be able to enjoy the sensational experience of swimming alongside sea lions.
Social creatures, they often like to play with humans and catch their attention. If you’re struck by particular luck, you might even be able to see Galapagos Scalloped Hammerhead sharks.
You will find incredible lava formations lurking below the waters. Dive deep down to get an up-close look at how these extraordinary configurations and underwater cliffs stretch down into the deep sea bed. The marine life scene is second to none here, so you’ll also see multi-colored tropical fish, sea horses and reef sharks swimming around the overhangs.
The only thing to bear in mind is that the current at Bartholomew Point tends to vary between moderate and strong. For this reason, it might be best to get a bit of snorkeling experience under your belt before checking out these waters.
4. Pinnacle Rock Beach
Pinnacle Rock Beach is a gorgeous piece of coastline blessed with golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Owing to these conditions, it makes a fantastic place to go snorkeling on Bartolome Island.
Head to the north beach where you can explore the waters around Pinnacle Rock. Prepare to see a wonderful array of animals including white-tipped reef sharks, rays and tropical fish species.
Pinnacle Rock Beach also just makes a fantastic place to sunbathe. Take a moment to relax and recuperate on your adventure, while catching some rays. After rejuvenating, you can follow a short trail through the mangroves to the south beach.
Bartolome Island offers a wonderful snapshot of the extraordinary variety of animals on the Galapagos Islands. While you won’t be able to swim here, you might be able to spot sea turtle nests depending on the time of year that you are visiting the Galapagos Islands. The creatures nest here from January until March.
From the shore, you will also be able to peer over at reef sharks and rays in the transparent shallow waters. This makes for a brilliant thing to do on Bartolome Island when you have ticked off the more physically-demanding activities and are looking for a relaxed way to appreciate its wildlife.
Photo credit: D-Stanley on Visualhunt
Summary
With so many spectacular things to see on Bartolome Island, it makes a fantastic addition to a Galapagos Island bucket list.
You’ll be reminded that the Galapagos Islands are one of the most biodiverse places in the world at every corner. Penguins, lava lizards and blue-footed boobies will become wonderful surprises along the way to attractions, instead of being the main event themselves.
Wherever you choose to visit Bartolome Island, prepare to have the most amazing adventure possible in a truly extraordinary corner of the planet.
With incredible wildlife and otherworldly landscapes, there is nowhere quite like the magnificent Galapagos Islands. Touring Galapagos has a fabulous array of cruises and tour packages on offer that will take you to all of the top sites in the archipelago.Get in contact to begin your adventure in this unique paradise.