// GALAPAGOS
BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND
Lying in the rain shadow of Santa Cruz , fiery Bartolomé feels like it ’ s on a planet located too close to the sun . This craggy island is so dehydrated that only a few lava lizards can eke out a living on its hot slopes . Why visit then ? Well , the sweaty climb to its summit offers sensational views across the rest of the archipelago . The views up here are so dramatic , the scenery so pretty , that it was used as a backdrop in the 2003 film Master and Commander .
If that doesn ’ t seem like quite enough reason to make the day trip from Santa Cruz , then you should know that the coastal swimming is outstanding and likely to feature white-tailed reef sharks , sea lions and rays . While it ’ s possible to snorkel with endemic Galápagos penguins in dozens of locations , here there ’ s the significant bonus of having a chance to encounter some close-up . The world ’ s northernmost penguin , they ’ re one of the islands ’ most special prizes . winter 2022 // 45