Bartolmé Island in the Galapagos
Amongst the islands of the Galapagos archipelago is the volcanic islet of Bartolomé. This marvelous island provides abundant opportunities for nature lovers to spot interesting animal life and for adventurers to explore. Covering a small area of 1.2 kilometers squared, the island consists of a number of volcanic formations in various colors. Its interesting features and remarkable wildlife has made Bartolomé Island extremely popular with visitors.
Bartolomé’s most outstanding and recognizable feature is Pinnacle Rock. This natural wonder is popular with scuba divers and snorkellers, who can spot turtles, white-tip reef sharks, tropical fish, sea lions and penguins. Amidst the rocks, visitors will find sea urchins, coral, parrot fish, blue-eyed damsels, wrasse and other marvels.
The island of Bartolomé has two lovely beaches that are easily reached via a panga ride. The northern beach is great for swimming, whilst the creatures inhabiting the southern beach’s waters may be a bit intimidating, as sharks, stingrays and spotted eagle rays swim here. At certain times of year (mainly November through to January) it is possible to spot green sea turtles on the beaches as they come here to mate and lay their eggs. The females will lay some 80 eggs in a single nest in the sand just near the high water mark. This makes the Galapagos Islands a vital conservation area for the preservation of turtles.
Although Bartolomé Island is somewhat desolate, the beach is bordered by mangroves and tiguilia and chamaesycae grow on the island. Many visitors to the island enjoy traversing the trail to the summit. A pathway is provided, starting out as rock and concrete; then taking hikers through volcanic sand to a wooden stairway. From this point it is just another 30 to 40 minutes until you reach the top. This walk gives travelers the opportunity to really appreciate the landscape of spatter cones and lava tubes, with the occasional appearance of lava lizards. At the peak tourists enjoy spectacular views across the Galapagos region, with its sparkling waters and varied islands. If you do decide to take advantage of this walking trail, be sure to wear a good pair of shoes and bring a water bottle. It is also worth noting that the landing for the summit trip is dry, but to reach the beach requires a wet landing. Bartolomé Island in the Galapagos of Ecuador is well worth the visit, so be sure to book a tour to this fantastic destination.