Bartolome Island Galapagos
Ecuador
Frequently Asked Questions
By zodiac. Expedition ships anchor offshore and drop visitors at the landing, often with curious sea lions as an escort. There is no pier and no village on the island.
The lava spire standing at the edge of Bartolomé's bay, probably the most photographed image in the Galápagos. It rises above two pale crescents of sand separated by a narrow isthmus, and it serves as a visual landmark for the whole archipelago.
372 wooden steps, on a boardwalk trail built to protect the fragile ground. Allow around forty minutes for the climb, breaks included. The pace is your own and guides build in stops.
It stays reasonable for anyone who walks regularly, but it is not a stroll. There is no shade on the slope, the equatorial sun is direct, and the wooden steps can be slippery. A hat, water and closed shoes are necessary.
The bay with its two pale crescents, Pinnacle Rock pointing skyward, and Santiago Island spreading its black lava flows directly opposite. On a clear day you can pick out more than ten islands around the horizon.
Yes, when conditions allow. A colony of Galápagos penguins, the second smallest penguin species in the world, nests in the caves behind Pinnacle Rock. Snorkelling from the beach, you see them shoot underwater like torpedoes.
Parrotfish, playful sea lions and often a sea turtle grazing without any concern for swimmers. Harmless whitetip reef sharks and rays regularly round out the picture.
Cooler than you would expect on the equator, because of the Humboldt Current. A light wetsuit, often provided on board, makes a real difference to snorkelling comfort. Water clarity varies with the season.
Usually half a day: the trail to the viewpoint, then the swim from the beach. The island is small and the national park caps how many visitors are there at once, which keeps the experience intact.
Yes, as everywhere in the Galápagos. A guide is mandatory, trails are marked and leaving them is prohibited. The guide is also the one who reads the landscape for you: collapsed lava tubes, spatter cones and eruptions that are recent on a geological scale.
