Quick answer: BartolomƩ is a small volcanic island off Santiago where a 600 m boardwalk of about 372 steps climbs to a 114 m summit overlooking Pinnacle Rock and Sullivan Bay. Day tours from Santa Cruz leave the Itabaca Channel early, sail about 2 hours each way, and add snorkeling with a good chance of GalƔpagos penguins.
Updated September 2026 by our local guides in Quito.
| BartolomƩ day tour at a glance | Details (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Summit trail | About 600 m of boardwalk and stairs (roughly 372 steps) to 114 m |
| Departure | Hotel pickup in Puerto Ayora around 6ā7am, boat from the Itabaca Channel |
| Sailing time | About 2 hours each way |
| Total day | About 8ā10 hours door to door |
| Snorkeling | Near Pinnacle Rock; water about 19ā23 Ā°C June to November, 24ā26 Ā°C December to May |
| Our tour price | From USD 310 per person, daily on availability |
| GalƔpagos entry costs | USD 200 park fee (foreign adults) + USD 20 transit control card |
The Summit Trail and Pinnacle Rock View
The summit trail on BartolomĆ© is a wooden boardwalk of roughly 372 steps that climbs about 600 m to the island’s highest point, 114 m above the sea. At the top, the classic view over Pinnacle Rock and Sullivan Bay is one of the most recognizable images of the GalĆ”pagos Islands.
The boardwalk winds through a lunar landscape of volcanic cones, spatter and ash, with almost no vegetation. The GalƔpagos National Park built the stairs to stop visitors eroding the loose volcanic slopes, so staying on them is mandatory.
Most people reach the top in 20ā40 minutes with photo stops. The steps are steep in places but there are rest platforms, and our guides stop to explain the geology along the way. There is no shade, so the morning climb is far more comfortable than midday.
Pinnacle Rock itself is a volcanic plug of thin basalt layers, eroded into the pointed tower you see in every postcard. It also starred in the 2003 film Master and Commander, which is why it looks familiar.
How does a BartolomƩ Island day tour from Santa Cruz work?
A BartolomƩ day tour starts with a hotel pickup in Puerto Ayora, a drive across Santa Cruz to the Itabaca Channel, and a boat ride of about 2 hours each way. BartolomƩ cannot be visited on your own; every visit is with a licensed naturalist guide on an authorized boat.
| Time (approx.) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:00ā7:00am | Pickup at your hotel in Puerto Ayora |
| +40 min | Drive across the highlands to the Itabaca Channel, north Santa Cruz |
| About 2 h | Boat ride to BartolomƩ, passing Daphne and Santiago on clear days |
| 1ā1.5 h | Dry landing and summit hike to the Pinnacle Rock viewpoint |
| 45ā60 min | Snorkeling near Pinnacle Rock or the beach |
| Midday | Lunch on the boat, sometimes a second snorkel stop |
| About 2 h | Boat ride back to Itabaca, drive to Puerto Ayora (usually back mid to late afternoon) |
Exact timings depend on the boat, sea conditions and the park’s visitor schedule, which assigns each boat a time slot at the site. Some operators land at Sullivan Bay on Santiago instead of adding a second snorkel.
Local tip: The crossing from Itabaca can be choppy, especially from July to October. Take seasickness tablets 30ā60 minutes before pickup, eat a light breakfast, and sit at the back of the boat, low and near the middle, where the motion is gentlest.
Snorkeling Near Pinnacle Rock
Snorkeling near Pinnacle Rock is the best chance on any day tour from Santa Cruz to swim with GalƔpagos penguins. The waters around the rock are also home to white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, sea lions and colorful reef fish.
Visibility is usually good but currents can pick up off the point, so stay with your guide and wear a life vest or float if you are not a confident swimmer. The sandy beach next to Pinnacle Rock is an easier entry for beginners.
Snorkel gear comes with most tours. Wetsuits are often extra; on our BartolomƩ tour the wetsuit is not included, and rentals in Puerto Ayora cost around $10 per day. From June to November we recommend one.
Wildlife You Might See
The wildlife highlight on BartolomƩ is the GalƔpagos penguin, the only penguin that lives on the equator, which keeps a small breeding colony in a cave behind Pinnacle Rock. Sightings are common but never guaranteed.
Beyond penguins, keep an eye out for sea lions, marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. Green sea turtles nest on the northern beach, and on the boat ride you may spot dolphins or, in the cool season, whales.
The volcanic terrain also supports pioneer plant species adapted to the harsh, dry environment, such as lava cactus and the gray Tiquilia shrubs that grow in the ash.
Sullivan Bay
Sullivan Bay, the channel between BartolomĆ© and Santiago, is covered by a huge black pahoehoe lava flow, usually dated to the late 1890s. From the summit you see it spreading across Santiago’s coast; some tours also walk on it, where the ropey lava patterns and tiny pioneer plants are easy to see up close.
Best Time to Visit
BartolomĆ© can be visited year-round, and the calmest seas and warmest, clearest water usually come in the warm season from December to May. Older versions of this guide said the garĆŗa season brings calmer seas; that is the reverse of what our guides see.
From June to November the Humboldt Current cools the water and the southeast trade winds make the boat ride rougher. The upside is more marine life, as the cooler, nutrient-rich water feeds fish, penguins and sea lions.
| Season | Months | Water temperature | Seas | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm season | December to May | About 24ā26 Ā°C (75ā78 Ā°F) | Usually calmer | Sunny with short showers, best visibility, hottest climb |
| GarĆŗa (cool) season | June to November | About 19ā23 Ā°C (66ā74 Ā°F) | Choppier, roughest July to October | Overcast mist, wetsuit recommended, very active wildlife |
For a month-by-month breakdown, read our best time to visit the GalƔpagos guide.
What to Bring
For a BartolomƩ day tour, bring sturdy shoes for the boardwalk climb, sun protection and anything you need for a full day on a boat.
- Sturdy sandals or trainers for the dry landing and 372 steps
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat with a strap and sunglasses
- Swimsuit, quick-dry towel (our tour provides towels) and a change of clothes
- Snorkel gear if you prefer your own fit (gear is provided), and a wetsuit from June to November
- Seasickness tablets, a refillable water bottle and a light windbreaker
- A camera, ideally waterproof or with a dry bag
Our full Ecuador packing list covers the rest of your GalƔpagos bag, including what you cannot fly in.
What are the rules for visiting BartolomƩ Island?
BartolomƩ is a GalƔpagos National Park visitor site, so you must go with a licensed naturalist guide, stay on the marked trail and keep your distance from wildlife.
- Stay on the boardwalk and marked paths at all times.
- Keep at least 2 m from animals, never touch or feed them, and do not use flash.
- No food, smoking or drones on the island, and take everything you bring back to the boat.
- Do not touch or stand on coral or rocks when snorkeling, and do not chase penguins or turtles in the water.
Before you get to Santa Cruz you need to pay the entry costs. As of 2026 the GalĆ”pagos National Park charges USD 200 for foreign visitors over 12 (USD 100 for under 12s, USD 100 for adults from CAN and Mercosur countries), paid in cash on arrival at Baltra or San CristĆ³bal. The USD 20 transit control card is bought at the Quito or Guayaquil airport before check-in.
Since January 2026 the biosecurity sworn declaration is digital only: register on the ABG (GalƔpagos Biosecurity Agency) SIABG system, ideally 72 hours before you fly, and show the QR code at inspection.
How much does a BartolomƩ Island tour cost in 2026?
A BartolomƩ day tour from Santa Cruz costs from USD 310 per person with us in 2026, and prices across Puerto Ayora range from roughly $250 to $500 depending on the boat. It is one of the most expensive GalƔpagos day trips because of the long crossing and limited park permits.
| Cost item | Amount (USD, 2026) | Included in our tour? |
|---|---|---|
| BartolomƩ day tour | From 310 | Boat, guide, hotel pickup, lunch, snorkel gear, towels |
| Wetsuit rental | About 10 per day | No |
| GalƔpagos National Park fee | 200 (foreign adults) | No, paid on arrival |
| Transit control card | 20 | No, paid in Quito or Guayaquil |
| Guide tip | Your choice | No |
If BartolomƩ is out of budget, North Seymour is a shorter, cheaper day trip with blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. See our island hopping vs cruise guide to decide how to structure the whole trip.
BartolomĆ© Island day tour Ā· from USD 310 Ā· 1 day Ā· daily on availability
Hotel pickup in Santa Cruz, boat from the Itabaca Channel, summit hike to the Pinnacle Rock viewpoint, snorkeling with an English-speaking naturalist guide, and lunch on board. Park fee, transit card and wetsuit are not included.
Visit it on our BartolomƩ Island day tour, or see all our GalƔpagos day tours, including North Seymour.
Related guides
- Things to do in the GalƔpagos Islands
- Best time to visit the GalƔpagos in 2026
- Island hopping vs cruise-based tours
- How much a trip to Ecuador costs in 2026
- Ecuador travel facts 2026
Plan it with us
Want help fitting BartolomĆ© into a GalĆ”pagos trip? Visit our office at Pedro FermĆn Cevallos N6-78 y Olmedo in Quito, message us on WhatsApp at +593 97 953 3832, or email info@communitytravel.ec. We will check availability and current prices for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see penguins on BartolomƩ Island?
Often, yes. BartolomƩ has a small breeding colony of GalƔpagos penguins in a cave behind Pinnacle Rock, and it is the best place to snorkel with them on a day trip from Santa Cruz. Sightings are never guaranteed because penguins move with food and water temperature, but they are more active in the cooler months from June to November.
How hard is the BartolomƩ summit hike?
It is moderate. The boardwalk is about 600 m long with roughly 372 steps and climbs to 114 m, and most people take 20ā40 minutes with stops. There are rest platforms, but no shade and loose volcanic ground on either side. Anyone who can climb several flights of stairs at a steady pace can do it.
How long is the boat ride to BartolomƩ from Santa Cruz?
About 2 hours each way from the Itabaca Channel on the north side of Santa Cruz, after a 40-minute drive from Puerto Ayora. The full day usually runs 8ā10 hours door to door. Seas are generally calmer from December to May and rougher from July to October, so bring seasickness medication.
Is BartolomƩ good for families with children?
Yes, for children who can climb stairs and handle a long boat day. The summit trail is manageable for most school-age kids, and the beach next to Pinnacle Rock is an easy snorkel entry. Younger children may find 4 hours on a boat tiring. Foreign children under 12 pay a USD 100 park fee instead of USD 200.
How much is the GalƔpagos entry fee in 2026?
As of 2026, foreign adults pay USD 200 to the GalĆ”pagos National Park and children under 12 pay USD 100, in cash on arrival at Baltra or San CristĆ³bal. Citizens of CAN and Mercosur countries pay USD 100. Everyone also pays USD 20 for the transit control card at the Quito or Guayaquil airport before check-in.
Can you visit BartolomƩ Island without a tour?
No. BartolomƩ is a national park visitor site that can only be visited on an authorized boat with a licensed naturalist guide, either on a day tour from Santa Cruz or as part of a cruise itinerary. Each boat gets a set time slot at the site, which keeps the summit trail from getting crowded.
