Bartolomé Summit and Pinnacle Rock
The walk on Bartolomé is one of the classic moments of a Galápagos cruise: the climb to the summit for the most photographed view in the islands, and a swim beside…
More about Bartolomé Summit and Pinnacle RockGalápagos islands · 1 visitor site
Bartholomew Island cruises
29 yachts and catamarans include Bartholomew in their routes, with departures from October 2026 to December 2028. Compare dates and fares, then ask us for your offer.
Book with Dana Tours and enjoy complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa.
Yachts that visit29
Upcoming departures995
Cruise length4–15 days
Fares fromUS$2,076
About the island
Bartholomew Island
Bartolomé, or Bartholomew Island, is a small islet off the east coast of Santiago, and its view is the most famous image of the Galápagos: two curving beaches and Pinnacle Rock, a spear of eroded volcanic rock, framed by spatter cones and black lava.
Bartolomé covers just 1.2 square kilometers (half a square mile) and rises to 114 meters (375 feet). It was named after Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan, a friend of Charles Darwin and a surveyor of the Beagle expedition. Its landscape, almost free of vegetation, is a lesson in volcanic geology: spatter cones, tuff cones and lava flows can all be seen from the top. The scenery appears in the film Master and Commander (2003).
On our cruises Bartolomé is part of the central routes, almost always together with Santiago, and often with North Seymour and Genovesa. The visit has two parts. A dry landing leads to a trail of about 600 meters, much of it a wooden boardwalk with steps, climbing to the summit for the classic view over Pinnacle Rock, Sullivan Bay and Santiago. Then a wet landing on the northern beach, beside Pinnacle Rock, gives time to swim and snorkel; swimming is not allowed on the southern beach.
Bartolomé has a small colony of Galápagos penguins, which nest in the caves around Pinnacle Rock and are often seen on the rocks or in the water while snorkeling. The water also holds sea turtles, which nest on the beaches from January to March, white-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays and colorful reef fish, and Galápagos hawks and herons hunt along the shore.
Bartolomé suits almost everyone: there are many steps, but the boardwalk is even and there are places to rest. The summit is exposed to the sun, so the climb is most pleasant early or late in the day.
Fast facts
- The view of Pinnacle Rock from Bartolomé's summit is the most photographed scene in the Galápagos.
- A trail of about 600 meters, mostly boardwalk and steps, leads to the summit at 114 meters (375 feet).
- A small colony of Galápagos penguins nests in the caves around Pinnacle Rock.
Visitor sites
Visitor sites on Bartholomew Island
Each site is visited with a certified naturalist guide of the Galápagos National Park.
Live dates & prices
Next cruises visiting Bartholomew
The next 12 of 995 departures that include Bartholomew. Fares are per person, based on two guests sharing a cabin.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | |||||
| 7 – 14 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
 Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Itinerary CBaltra | US$7,675 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure |
| 8 – 15 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
 Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests
|
A5B4 · Western/Norther/Central IslandsBaltra | US$5,295 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 8 – 15 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
 MoniqueLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
7 Night Cruise ABaltra | US$8,290 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 9 – 13 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 Treasure of GalapagosFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Central Islands & San CristobalBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$4,150 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure |
| 10 – 17 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
 EliteLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Eastern & Western GalapagosSan Cristóbal | US$8,219 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure |
| 10 – 14 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 Galaxy OrionFirst Class motor yacht · 14 guests
|
Itinerary CBaltra | US$2,250 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure2 places left |
| 11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Central & GenovesaBaltra | US$4,782 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure |
| 11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Itinerary 5BBaltra | US$3,845 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure |
| 11 – 14 Oct4 days / 3 nights |
Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Itinerary BSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$3,289 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure |
| 11 – 18 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Itinerary BSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$7,675 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure |
| 12 – 15 Oct4 days / 3 nights |
Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests
|
B4 · Northern/Central IslandsBaltra | US$2,395 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure2 places left |
| 12 – 19 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests
|
B · Central/Eastern/Southern IslandsBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$5,295 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
Yachts & catamarans
Yachts that visit Bartholomew
Mid-range catamaran · 16 guests
Archipel I
Luxury catamaran · 20 guests
Hermes
First Class motor yacht · 20 guests
Monserrat
Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests
Natural Paradise
Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests
Tribute
Luxury catamaran · 16 guests
Galaxy Sirius
First Class catamaran · 16 guests
Treasure of Galapagos
First Class motor yacht · 16 guests
Solaris
Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests
Galapagos Sea Star
First Class motor yacht · 16 guests
Galapagos Angel
Luxury catamaran · 16 guests
Horizon Trimaran
Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests
Grand Majestic
Good to know
Questions about visiting Bartholomew
Which cruises visit Bartholomew?
29 yachts and catamarans include Bartholomew in their routes, with 995 upcoming departures between October 2026 and December 2028. Fares start at US$2,076 per person, based on two guests sharing a cabin.
How many days do I need to visit Bartholomew?
Cruises that include Bartholomew last from 4 to 15 days. Longer routes combine it with more islands.
Which visitor sites can I see on Bartholomew?
Bartolomé Summit and Pinnacle Rock (dry landing). Every visit is led by a certified naturalist guide of the Galápagos National Park.
What wildlife can I see on Bartholomew?
Blue-Footed Booby, Brown Pelican, Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Frigatebirds, Galapagos Green Turtle, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Lava Gull, Galapagos Lava Heron, Galapagos Lava Lizard, Galapagos Marine Iguana, Galapagos Mockingbird.
Do I get complimentary nights in Mindo?
Yes. Every cruise booked with Dana Tours comes with complimentary nights at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa in Mindo Cloud Forest (usually 2–3, more on request), with all meals and private transfers from Quito. Departures with a fare of US$3,500 or more per person include Mindo Plus, with tickets for Mindo’s top experiences, and those of US$5,000 or more are marked ★ and include our Mindo All-Inclusive program, with your own private guide throughout.
Your Mindo Cloud Forest stay
Your cruise comes with complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest.
Complimentary nightsUsually 2–3, more on request, at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa
All meals includedBreakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay in Mindo Cloud Forest
Private transfersBetween Quito and Mindo, before or after Galápagos
★ Mindo All-InclusiveWith your own private guide throughout. Our signature gift on departures marked ★.
Your written offer lists exactly what’s included for your departure — before you book. How it works · Cruises with Mindo All-Inclusive
We understand the lay of the land (and ocean)
Book with a local, “we’re on the ground here for you!”
Not sure which cruise? Talk to David and the Dana Tours team. We’ll help you compare routes, cabins and your Mindo stay.