Bartolome Island Day Tour : Volcanic Hikes And Marine Encounters

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This post was crafted with care and occasional typos by Colleen (and not AI)

No visit to Galapagos would be complete without sight of the Isla Santiago from Bartolome; well at least not for a Camino lover such as myself.

If other days on Galapagos have been all about the wildlife, our Bartolome Island day tour was going to be all about geology and that incredible view.

Bartolome Island Day Tour

The Galápagos Islands are synonymous with wildlife but many shy away from visiting as they think the islands are only accessible through expensive cruises or multi-day guided tours.  That can be the case but we travelled independently across the Galapagos Islands, on our own terms and within our own budget.  Yes, the Galapagos can be expensive but not prohibitively so.    

Bartolome Island is considered by some to be one of the world’s most beautiful islands. Standing at just 114 metres above the sea, it offers one of the most iconic views of Galapagos.  The picture perfect crescent-shaped bay with crystal clear blue waters, views of the nearby Santiago Island and the famous Pinnacle Rock towering above it.

And you get to see all of this on a day trip from Santa Cruz.

Independent Galapagos : Bartolome Island Day Tour

Bartolomé Island was named after Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan, a friend of Charles Darwin and principal surveyor on the HMS Beagle.

Bartolomé is a barren island, joined under the water to neighbouring Santiago Island by way of the beautiful Sullivan Bay.

There is very little vegetation on the island and very little by way of wildlife but you will find countless lava formations such as spatter cones, tuff cones, and lava tubes and a few very odd looking plants.

When planning our time in the Galapagos I always knew that I wanted to make this trip.  This is one of the longer day tours from Santa Cruz and only a handful of boats make the journey so booking in advance was a must.

How Do You Reach Bartolome Island?

Bartolomé Island can be reached on some of the multi-day cruises but it’s also possible to visit on a day tour from Santa Cruz island.

This is a long sea journey and the tours depart early in the morning but include all transportation, meals, and the guided hike on the island.  Our tour also included a fabulous snorkelling adventure too.

I knew this was one of my must-do trips and researched the best day tours before leaving home.  We ended up travelling to the island in the same ship that David Attenborough had used, which just added to our fabulous day.

Top Tip : Do be aware that only a few boats make this journey and not every day so ensure that you plan accordingly. 

How Long Are Day Trips To Bartolome Island?

The duration of Bartolomé Island tours vary but they are typically long due to the distance you need to travel.  Our tour started at 6:45am and we returned to Port Ayora at around 5:00pm.

You’ll drive up through the Highlands to reach the Itabaca Channel to board your ship.  The sea journey to Bartolome is a good two hours and we were served breakfast onboard.

Some tours offer additional options such as snorkelling or a visit to nearby beaches, which can add an extra hour or two. We opted for snorkelling and swam with the famous Galapagos penguins.

What Should I Bring On A Day Trip To Bartolome Island?

This is a long day so it’s important that you come prepared.  We knew that we would be snorkelling before leaving home and we travelled with our own gear.  If you don’t have any don’t worry, the tour companies offer full snorkelling equipment and wetsuits.  You will need to collect them the day before your trip and take it with you on the day.

What To Expect On Bartolome Island?

Bartolome Island was formed by an extinct volcano and is believed to be one of the younger of the Galapagos Islands, at around 1.5 million to 2 million years old.  On a clear day they say you can see ten other islands from the top of Bartolome; we never spotted ten but we did have a fantastic view.

Bartolome Island is very different than other islands. It is barren and offers a unique landscapes although very little plant or animal life (on land at least).  The iconic Pinnacle Rock was formed from an eroded volcanic cone; our guide told us that one of these days it may collapse but for now it stands firm.

We spotted schools and schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and Galapagos penguins.  We had an encounter with a rather large and very grumpy sea lion as we tried to return to our Zodiac and Gerry spotted a huge shark swimming under our boat.

What Wildlife Will You See On Bartolome?

Bartolome Island has an almost Mars like surface and you can get up close and personal with the remnants of long extinct volcanic activity.

Whilst there are no land animals, there are really excellent snorkelling opportunities.  You can snorkel off the beach at the foot of Pinnacle Rock or like us from the boat.

Will You Have A Guide On A Day Tour?

All tours on the uninhabited Galapagos Islands are accompanied by official guides.  Our guide on this tour was a Galapagos Islander and had followed in her father footsteps; he was also a guide.  She had studied Volcanology and Geology at university and was passionate about the land and the sea of her homeland.

The guides are experts.  Make the most of them as they are a fountain of knowledge.

What’s Included In Your Bartolome Island Tour?

As with all the tours we booked on the Galapagos Island, the day is fully inclusive.  All transport, meals and drinks were included.  You could also use the snorkelling equipment if needed.

We had three meals on board our ship; breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.  There were also drinks and water freely available too.  I should add that special diets are also catered for.  All of my meals were gluten free and vegetarian options were readily available.  Just mention when you book and they take care of everything else.

During our long snorkelling adventure, life jackets and ropes were provided for those less confident in the water.

When booking your tour do check and compare what is included in the cost of your trip; tours do vary in quality and what’s included.

Our Amazing Snorkelling Experience at Pinnacle Rock

After our hike our guide offered the group two options.  We could swim and snorkel from Sullivan Beach or we could snorkel from the boat; swimming around the island and meeting the boat at Pinnacle point. Below Pinnacle Rock lies an underwater world teeming with life.

The guide explained that during her last visit, horse flies on the beach had been a problem and perhaps swimming from the boat might be better for us.  We took a vote, and everyone voted for snorkelling from the boat.  Wow!  It was a good choice and an incredible experience.  We’re so pleased she offered us this option.

Gerry is not a strong swimmer so we stayed close to the guide (who was in the water with us).  The current is strong here but oh my, the marine life was incredible.  And we got to swim with the penguins.

We were followed by the Zodiac so anyone who was feeling tired was quickly taken out of the water.  We never once felt in danger but for us it was the experience of a lifetime and a privilege to witness this unique underwater world.

Conservation On Bartolome

Bartholome, much like the rest of the Galápagos, is stringently protected by the Ecuadorian government to preserve its delicate ecosystems.  When you visit, ensure you leave no trace and respect the guidelines put in place and always follow your guides and crew members. 

We got to swim with the Galapagos Penguin, the second smallest penguin species in the world,

In 1982, these creatures suffered a massive decline during an El Niño year and they have been slow to recover.  In 2008 a  parasite was found in Galapagos Penguins and researchers are worried that this could potentially lead to avian malaria. We were lucky to see these animals and the local population in Bartolomé continues to be monitored to ensure their health and survival.

Knowing this, it’s easy to understand that in order to protect these species and their habitats, strict rules and regulations are in place for visitors to follow.

What is the Cost of the Bartolome Island Tour?

This was one of our more expensive tours, partly down to the distance travelled and the longer day. However, it’s not noticeably more expensive and we felt that it was worth every penny.

What Level Of Fitness Do You Need?

The climb to the top is steep; you don’t get those iconic views from the sea level.  But the journey up was broken with regular stops and talks about the volcanic structure and landscape around us.

The hike to the top of Bartolomé Island isn’t for a casual walker and perhaps a moderate level of fitness is required.  I’m a hiker but I’m pretty rubbish on hills and I found it very comfortable.  I took it slow, I let the young fit things go ahead and I never felt rushed.

The hike up is approximately 1.5 kilometres distance but you don’t walk this all at once.  And the elevation is just over 100 metres so not too difficult.  Ultimately, the landscape is so amazing and the views breath-taking that you often forget about the climb.   

Equally the swim does require a level of fitness and swimming ability.  However, you are given life jackets and you can leave the water whenever you want. 

I would say overall, you need a moderate amount of fitness but we’re in our 60s and not athletic and we had no issues.

What Will The Weather Be Like On Bartolome Island?

We visited the islands at the end of May and during our trip to Bartolome Island the weather was perfect.  The sea in the morning was beautifully calm although it was a little choppier on the return trip.

During the hike it was very hot and the sun is strong so sunscreen and protection is really important.  The temperature here rarely dips below around 25c.

The water was surprisingly chilly around Bartolome and I would recommend either the wetsuit provided or a rash suit, this will keep you warm in the water and protect you from the sun whilst snorkelling.

When is the Best Time to Visit Bartolome Island?

When planning your visit to the Galapagos Islands, the best time really depends on the wildlife and activities that you are interested in. In terms of climate, the seasons can be categorized into two main periods: the cool and dry season (June to November) and the warm and wet season (December to May).

Is it Worth Visiting Bartolome Island?

Our day tour to Bartolomé Island gave us some of the best experiences we had during our Galapagos adventure. It was in total contrast to our walk around North Seymour Island and was a great opportunity to learn about conservation and sustainability.

It was an experience we’ll treasure and the whole day made for a memorable adventure.

For those who revel in the unspoiled wild beauty of the natural world, Bartolome Island is a must.   And this day tour is proof that the Galápagos are far from unreachable; rather, they are totally within a DIY island-hoppers grasp and we thoroughly recommend you booking your spot on a boat.

Are You visiting the galapagos Islands?

I have a series of posts that may be of interest to you and help with your Galapagos Island planning :