Bartholomew & Chinese Hat Island Tour

Bartholomew is a small Galapagos Island located 18 miles northwest of the Itabaca Channel. It’s considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the central Galapagos region, a swim at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock and around, its base is the most important deep-water snorkel with many different species of parrot fishes, marine turtles, sea lions and sometimes Galapagos penguins.

This subspecies of the green sea turtle, which can only be found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, is an endemic specimen of the Galapagos archipelago. It feeds on various species of algae, seagrass, aquatic plants, jellyfish and crabs. They live approximately 80 years, measure up to 84 cm and weigh between 150 and 200 kg. Every two or three years the females arrive at the beaches of the western region such as: Fernandina Island, Isabela Island, Baltra Island, Santiago Island and Santa Cruz Island for their nesting stage, which runs from December to June. Both sexes incubate in soft, whitish shells for 30 to 90 days. In nesting season, turtles average between 1 and 9 clutches. This would correspond from 75 to 200 eggs; the hatching of neonates occurs from June to July. Seeing the Galapagos green sea turtle is a spectacle of nature, its beautiful colors contrast with the vibrant hues of the sea creating a magnificent attraction for tourists.

Is an islet made up of a splash type cone, located near Santiago Island, and surrounded by small splash cones that create a spectacular landscape. Its incredible beach of white coral sand constitutes one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Galapagos Islands. Among the experiences that this island offers are lava formations, splashes, cones and lava tubes. This is one of the most incredible islands for diving and snorkeling.

The family Scaridae (Parrotfish) is one of the most common fish families found in the Galapagos Islands. Scarus are bony fishes that are described as having robust bodies with large scales becoming larger at the base of the tale. The teeth of Parrotfish are fused together to form beak-like plates in both jaws, hence the name Parrotfish. They have a single uninterrupted dorsal fin and large cycloid scales. Parrotfish are known to be omnivores that will feed on pretty much anything from living corral to rotting fish carcasses. These curious fish are known to be able to change sexes, some species will begin life as males and switch to females (protandry), and others switch from female to male (protogyny, some will change sex in both directions, and others will be both sexes at the same time. There are four main species of Parrotfish found in the Galapagos and their descriptions are the following: Blue Chin Parrotfish (Scarus ghobban), Bumphead Parrotfish (Scarus perrico), Bicolor Parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) and Azure Parrotfish (Scarus compressus).