Bartolome Island is perhaps the most recognised, most visited and most photographed of the Galapagos Islands. It is most famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spear-headed obelisk jutting out of the ocean – arguably the best-known landmark throughout the entire Galapagos National Park.
Named after lifelong friend of Charles Darwin, naturalist Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan, this islet consists of an extinct volcano and a stunning mixture of red, orange, green and black volcanic formations. The origins of the islet vary, some with fresh lava and spatter cones, others made from eroded tuff formations. Most of the island's vegetation is hardy pioneer plants, usually the first plants to appear after an ecosystem is damaged, however between the islands two beaches there is a distinct change to more luscious green halophytes.
Bartolome Island Size: 1.2 Square Kilometres
Bartolome Island Population: 0
Bartolome Island Max Altitude: 114 metres above sea level
Bartolome Island Visitor Sites: Isla Bartolome, Pinnacle Rock
Bartolome Island Top Wildlife
- Marine Life: The waters around Bartolomé are rich with marine life, including sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, sea lions, white-tipped and black tipped reef sharks, and a variety of tropical fish. It's also a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.
- Birds: You can spot Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds.
- Reptiles: The island is home to lava lizards and Galápagos land iguanas.
Bartolome Island Landing Sites
The first landing point is the Bartolome Summit Trail which begins with a dry landing on a jetty, from which you start your 600 metre trek through the wild and unearthly looking lava strewn landscape to the summit. From here the dramatic views towards Santiago Island, Pinnacle Rock and Daphne Island are simply stunning, the colours of the islands magnified by the turquoise waters that separate them.
The second landing is a small beach in a cove where you will find excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities, and maybe even a chance to swim with the endemic Galapagos penguins that frequent the area. The best way to see and photograph the penguins, however, is a panga ride close to pinnacle rock where they clamber the narrow ledge at the base, as sea lions relax on the rocks, seemingly waiting to play with potential snorkellers.
A third point of interest is the beach parallel to the first, where marine turtles come to nest between January and March.
