Information
Landmark: Bartolomé IslandCity: Galapagos Islands
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Bartolomé Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Overview
Bartolomé Island, with its sharp volcanic peaks and sweeping golden sand, stands as one of the most iconic and breathtaking spots in the Galápagos.Bartolomé, with its sharp black lava fields, white-sand beaches, and sweeping cliff views, gives visitors a rare chance to wander through some of the most dramatic scenery in all the Galápagos.Just off Santiago Island’s eastern shore sits a small island, its rugged cliffs, black lava rock, and scattered tide pools revealing its fiery volcanic past.Bartolomé Island sits about 24 kilometers, or 15 miles, northeast of Santiago Island, right in the heart of the Galápagos, where turquoise water laps at black volcanic rock.You can reach the island easily by boat, and most tours include it along with nearby spots like Santiago or Santa Cruz.Size and Terrain: Bartolomé covers just 1.2 square kilometers-about half a square mile-small enough to cross on foot in under an hour.Though it’s small, the place bursts with dramatic volcanic scenery-tuff cones rising like stone sentinels, dark lava fields stretching for miles, and smooth, rope-like pahoehoe curling under the sun.A tall central peak rises here, giving you wide, sweeping views of nearby islands and the Pacific’s bright blue waters shimmering in the sun.Bartolomé Island, with its jagged volcanic peaks and black lava flows, is mostly empty of people and widely regarded as a geological marvel.The island’s landscape is dotted with striking tuff cones-steep, ash-colored mounds born from blasts of volcanic ash and molten lava.The cone-shaped peaks stand out sharply, throwing deep shadows across the stark, empty sweep of volcanic rock.The island is lined with stretches of pahoehoe lava-smooth, ropy flows that wind across the ground like thick, twisted cords cooling in the sun.Bartholomew Peak rises to 114 meters (374 feet), making it the island’s highest point, with winds often catching in the scrub at its rocky summit.Climbing to the summit is a highlight of the island, rewarding you with sweeping views of its rugged volcanic slopes and distant neighbors like Santiago and the small, hat-shaped Sombrero Chino.Despite its volcanic, almost lifeless look, Bartolomé Island shelters penguins, lizards, and other creatures that have learned to survive its blistering sun and sparse shelter.You’ll find a blend of sea and land creatures here, from bright reef fish darting through the shallows to rare birds pausing on their long migrations.Number one on the list.Marine Life - Sea Lions: On Bartolomé’s beaches, Galápagos sea lions often sprawl in the sun, their sleek fur glistening in the heat.Visitors flock to see these playful animals, often catching sight of them basking on the rocky shore or gliding through the clear waters around the island.Marine turtles glide through the clear waters off Bartolomé, then crawl ashore at night to bury their eggs in the warm sand.Snorkeling in Bartolomé’s clear, blue waters-where parrotfish flash past like streaks of paint-is one of the trip’s true highlights.Beneath the glassy surface, schools of tropical fish dart between coral heads, while manta rays glide past and reef sharks patrol the depths.The waters around the island swirl with bright fish and drifting coral fans, making it a perfect place to snorkel or dive.Step two.On Bartolomé Island, you’ll find a small colony of Galápagos penguins-the only penguins that live north of the Equator, often seen darting through the clear, cool shallows.Small and perfectly suited to the Galápagos’ warm air, these penguins often dart through the clear shallows or lounge on sun‑warmed black rocks.Lava Lizards: The island is home to Galápagos lava lizards, small reptiles that dart across the sun-baked volcanic rocks.Birdlife: Bartolomé may not boast the sheer variety of birds found on other Galápagos islands, but you can still spot frigatebirds gliding overhead, boobies diving for fish, and herons stalking the shoreline.On Bartolomé Island, travelers come for the striking natural scenery-think jagged volcanic peaks against a bright blue sea-and to dive into a range of outdoor adventures.Travelers to the Galápagos flock to this island for its striking volcanic cliffs and the promise of unforgettable adventures.First.Climbing to the top of Bartholomew Peak rewards you with sweeping island views, the wind tugging at your sleeves as the sea glitters far below.In about 20 to 30 minutes, the moderate hike climbs a smooth, well-kept trail, where you can pause to take in sweeping views of the island’s jagged tuff cones, dark lava ridges, and the distant shapes of neighboring islands.From the summit, you can see Santiago Island, Sombrero Chino, and a sweep of turquoise water shimmering in the sun.People often call this the archipelago’s most photographed view, the kind you’d stop for with salt on your lips and a camera in hand.Number two.Bartolomé Island is perfect for diving into clear blue water, whether you’re gliding over bright coral or just swimming near the shore.The waters around the island shine so clear you can spot darting fish and swaying coral, with plenty of other sea life waiting to be discovered.Just west of the island, the snorkeling spot off Gardner Bay draws plenty of visitors, with sea lions gliding past, turtles paddling by, and flashes of bright tropical fish swirling below.In the island’s calm, protected waters, stingrays glide past, eels weave through coral crevices, and manta rays drift like shadows, creating a true haven for anyone who loves the ocean.Three.Bartolomé may be best known for its rugged cliffs and striking volcanic rock, but it also offers soft, white sand where you can stretch out and listen to the surf.Just a short walk from the visitor center, the island’s main beach invites you to stretch out in the sand and watch sea lions sprawled lazily in the warm sun.You can stroll slowly along the shore, feeling the sand shift under your feet, or just sit back and soak in the quiet around you.Number four stood alone, a small dark mark in the margin.Bartolomé Island is a great spot for wildlife lovers, with plenty of chances to see creatures up close-especially the Galápagos penguins diving sleekly through the clear, cool water.You can often see these penguins gliding through the water or lounging on sun-warmed rocks by the shore.You’ll often spot marine iguanas basking on the rocks, lava lizards darting through the sand, and a variety of birds wheeling overhead.So, why visit Bartolomé Island?If you’re exploring the Galápagos, don’t miss Bartolomé Island-the climb up Bartholomew Peak rewards you with sweeping views of jagged volcanic slopes and the nearby islands shimmering in the sun.On Bartolomé, you can watch Galápagos penguins dart through the water while sea lions lounge on the rocks and marine iguanas bask in the sun-an unforgettable sight for anyone who loves wildlife.Snorkeling and diving here are unforgettable-the water’s so clear you can see your toes, and beneath the surface swim everything from darting tropical fish to graceful manta rays.Geological Wonders: the island’s rugged cliffs and black-sand beaches shaped by ancient volcanic forces.
