Bartolome, The Galapagos, Ecuador - February 2023

 It was a familiar route when we left Santa Cruz for another island. The bus took us to Itabaca Chanel where we caught a dingy to get to the boat. It was about 2 1/2 hour boat ride to Bartolome Island. 

The boat was a catamaran, big enough for ten passengers and our guide, Ernesto.  On board, the crew consisted of a captain, a first mate and a chef who prepared snacks and lunch for us. It was a very nice boat ride, passing by the Major and Minor islands on the way. We had a relaxed time sun-bathing and dolphin-watching while under way.   

Ready for the dingy

Transiting to the catamaran.

Passing by Santa Cruz

Minor Island. 

Sea lions 

Dolphin having fun.

Our boat for the day

Sea life around Major Island.

Dolphin under the boat

Bartolome island is composed of an extinct volcano and variety of red, orange, green, black volcanic formations. Lava cactus is the only vegetation on the island. 

The famous Pinnacle Rock

View of our boat with Pinnacle Rock in the background.

View of the beach and Pinnacle Rock 

We just left the boat to start the island hike.

Hiking around the island

Lava rocks

Lava cactus

The island summit

View from the island hike

After the hike, we came back to the boat for a quick break. Then, we got ready to go swimming and snorkeling. It was a perfect day to enjoy the beach!.

 

Beautiful Pinnacle Rock Beach

First time snorkeling.

Having a wonderful beach time.

We had a delicious (fish) lunch on board as the boat left the island mid afternoon. The waves got stronger and the sea was a bit rough. Some people felt sea sick and laid down on the bunks.  We were back to Santa Cruz on time.  It was raining hard on our bus ride back to the hotel. But, it cleared up in the evening for us to walk around town. We dropped off our dirty clothes at the laundromat, and had a good pizza dinner before calling it a night!.

Lunch on the boat