Named for Lt. David Bartholomew of the British Navy, this small island is located just east of Santiago. Desolate Bartolome is one of the most visited and photographed islands in the Galápagos.  Bartolomé is an extinct volcano and has a variety of variably colored volcanic formations, including a tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island, and the most representative landmark of the Galápagos. This large black partially eroded cone was created when lava reached the sea. Contact with seawater resulted in a phreatic explosion. The exploded molten fragments fused together forming a welded tuff. Bartolomé is a volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island. It is one of the 'younger' islands in the Galápagos archipelago. 

With a total land area of just 1.2 km², this island offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations. Bartolomé has a volcanic cone that is easy to climb and provides great views of the other islands. 

It has two visitor sites. At the first one, you may swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock; the underwater world there is really impressive. You can snorkel with the penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other tropical fish. The bay is also an excellent place to go swimming. The twin bays are separated by a narrow isthmus. 

Galápagos penguins are frequently seen, and a small cave behind Pinnacle Rock houses a breeding colony. Seasonally, Bartolomé is the mating and nesting site for the Green sea turtles. With herons, they make use of the gentler beaches. Very little was once known of these enchanting creatures of the sea. They lived secretive lives only surfacing to breathe. In recent years, sea turtles have been the subject of a variety of international studies. 

9 June 2007 – Morning Visit to Isla Bartolomé (Bartholomew)

PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS: scenic volcanic landscapes; pyroclastic cones

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: Chamaesyce plants; Brachycereus cacti; bathing beach; tuff formations; penguins (occasionally); Tiquillia plants (Coldenia)

MAIN PLANT SPECIES: Brachycereus nesioticus (lava cactus); Tiquilla nesiotic; Tiquilla fusca; Chamaesyce sp.; Cryptocarpus pyriformis (salt bush); Maytenus octogona; Scutia pauciflora; Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove); Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove); Mollugo flavescens gracillima; Ipomea pes-caprae (morning glory); Scalesia stewartii; Opuntia galapageia galapageia (prickly pear);