Located just off the east coast of Santiago Island, Bartolome is one of the most famous islands in the Galápagos archipelago; it received its name after naturalist and lifelong friend of Charles Darwin, Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan, who was a lieutenant aboard HMS Beagle.
With the first beams of sun and soft winds, early in the morning we headed to Bartolome with the mission to get to the summit of the island in order to enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Galapagos. Compared with the main islands, Bartolome is quite small, but its geological formations along the wooden steps that lead to the top, are really impressive. At some point we had the impression of being in another planet as mars or the moon, due to its surrealistic landscape, but at the same time, it was able to understand how these oceanic islands were created. Once at the top of Bartolome Island we got our prize. The air temperature was very refreshing and windy, which made it possible to see many other Islands at the distance. From the top we also had the chance to see lots of parasitic cones, such as tuff cones, spatter cones, cinder cones, lava tunnels, and the pinnacle rock one of the most famous attractions in the Galapagos.
After breakfast, we continued our morning expedition on the golden sand; we had chance to snorkel from the beach, observing white tipped reef sharks, sting rays, great number of colorful fish such as burrito grunts, dusky chubs and huge school of small salemas hiding among the rocks. Probably the best attractions during this visit were Galapagos penguins swimming indifferently just in front of the beach. We counted up to twelve of them in feeding frenzy, trying to catch small fish and swimming so fast and then stopping as recovering their energies.
We continued our afternoon activity in Rabida Island with different activities, suitable for everyone. A group of kayakers were sent out first and they had a wonderful time exploring the coastline, which is covered with blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, pelicans, finches, mocking birds, and soaring frigate birds. Along the same coastline we had deep-water snorkelers swimming next to white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, fish and Galapagos sea lions. During the last of the snorkeling, we observed dozens of garden eels along the sandy bottom; like real plants they showed us their long bodies and their big eyes.
Just before sunset we found ourselves walking along a red sandy beach with a sleepy Galapagos sea lions. The light was golden, perfect for photographing sea lions and pelicans in full action. Minutes later, we moved behind the beach to observe different species of sea shore birds while on the trees some yellow warblers and vermilion fly catchers called the attention of our guests; it was late, the sunset looked spectacular and it was time to back aboard National Geographic Islander. Tired but happy we began to remember the incredible creatures and landscapes we observed today during this magical day in the Galapagos Islands.
