Isla de San Bartolome

Across the turquoise expanse of the Galapagos, Isla de San Bartolome rises like a painter’s palette. Fiery reds, oranges, and greens contrast sharply with the jet-black volcanic rock. Have you ever seen such a vibrant landscape? Isla de San Bartolome is a relatively young island in the Galapagos, formed by an extinct volcano. It’s named after Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan, a lieutenant on the HMS Beagle and a close friend of Charles Darwin. The island itself is small, only about half a square mile. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in breathtaking beauty. A wooden staircase, 114 meters long, zigzags up the volcanic cone. From the summit, the panorama is simply stunning. You can see the iconic Pinnacle Rock, a jagged volcanic plug jutting out from the sapphire waters of Sullivan Bay. Sullivan Bay, named after the same Sir Sulivan, is a snorkeler’s paradise. Here, you might find yourself swimming alongside Galapagos penguins, sleek marine turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks. The vibrant coral reefs teem with tropical fish. Behind Pinnacle Rock, a small cave provides a nesting site for these remarkable penguins. Isla de San Bartolome is also a crucial nesting site for green turtles. They lumber onto the gentler beaches, sharing the sand with elegant herons. Keep an eye out for the unique Galapagos lava cacti. These hardy plants thrive in the seemingly barren lava fields, adding a touch of life to the otherworldly landscape. The island’s dramatic scenery has even graced the silver screen, appearing in the 2003 film “Master and Commander”. Isla de San Bartolome may be small, but it offers a truly unforgettable Galapagos experience.