• Flexible Cancellation
The Volcanic Masterpiece:
Your Bartolomé Island Day Tour
A full-day tour from Santa Cruz to the most photographed landmark in the Galápagos. Climb to the Bartolomé summit for the classic view over Pinnacle Rock, then snorkel with penguins and sea turtles in Sullivan Bay.
What to Expect on the Bartolomé Island Day Tour
Bartolomé Island is the raw, volcanic soul of the Galápagos, and the reason most visitors book a day trip from Puerto Ayora. Beyond the famous Pinnacle Rock, you cross a surreal landscape of dormant craters, spatter cones and hardened lava flows, followed by a snorkeling session in the turquoise water of Sullivan Bay, off Santiago Island. It is the single best landscape tour in the archipelago, and one of the few places where Galápagos penguins are a realistic sighting from the water.
Choosing between islands? Bartolomé is unmatched for volcanic scenery and panoramic views. If your priority is birdlife, the North Seymour day tour gets you closer to blue-footed boobies and frigatebird colonies. If you mainly want time in the water, the Pinzón Island snorkeling tour spends more of the day at the reef.
Bartolomé Island Tour Itinerary, Hour by Hour
06:00 AM — Hotel Pickup in Puerto Ayora
The day starts at your hotel door in Santa Cruz. Our private transport takes you across the island to the Itabaca Channel, where the boat is waiting.
07:45 AM — Navigation to Bartolomé
Board the yacht and sail north toward Bartolomé Island. We pass close to the Daphne islets, a prime spot for watching endemic seabirds from the deck.
10:00 AM — Summit Hike & Pinnacle Rock
Climb 115 meters on a wooden staircase of roughly 400 steps. At the top, the panoramic viewpoint over Pinnacle Rock, the twin bays and the lava fields is the most photographed scene in the Galápagos.
02:00 PM — Snorkeling in Sullivan Bay
Snorkel at Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island, where Galápagos penguins, sea turtles, reef fish and white-tip sharks are regular sightings. A guided walk follows over the “pahoehoe” ropy lava field.
What’s Included
- ✓ Bilingual Naturalist Guide
- ✓ Full Snorkeling Gear
- ✓ Lunch & Snacks on board
- ✓ Hotel Pickup & Drop-off in Puerto Ayora
Not Included
- ✕ Galápagos National Park Fee
- ✕ INGALA Transit Card ($20)
- ✕ Tips & Personal Expenses
What to Bring on Your Bartolomé Day Trip
- Swimwear – Wear it under your clothes; changing space on board is limited.
- Towel – A quick-drying travel towel is highly recommended.
- Sun Protection – Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. There is no shade on the summit trail.
- Clothing – Lightweight layers and a windbreaker for the crossing.
- Footwear – Comfortable waterproof sandals or water shoes.
- Hydration – Reusable water bottle.
- Capturing Memories – Waterproof camera or GoPro.
- Personal Items – Small waterproof backpack and seasickness pills.