Bartolomé is probably the Galapagos's easiest spot to snorkel with Galapagos penguins. Out of the water they often walk along the precarious ledges at the base of Pinnacle Rock.  These half metre tall penguins power through the water at the speed of light, but are just as likely to be seen standing proudly on the rocks above, mocking the inferior snorkelers beneath them.  Interestingly, Galapagos penguins have a strong sense of personal space and tend to enjoy their own company: therefore they are more often than not seen standing a fair distance apart from one another. 

Just north of Bartolomé lies Cousins Rock, a rock which rises some 10 metres above the water and is home to passing birds and sea lions.  The sea lions often slide down the rocks to greet divers as they enter the water.  The stepped wall is awash with black coral bushes interspersed with dazzling tones of gold and yellow.  Longnose hawkfish, the unusual blue-eyed damsel and Galapagos seahorses can often be spotted flitting amongst the branches.  Opportunities to see beautiful starfish and groups of whitetip sharks can be sought on sandy bottom ledges, while there are also good chances to encounter schools of tiny snapper and small pelican barracuda.  Further down the wall divers descend, chances to see rays of all varieties arise.  This dive is almost always accompanied by sea lions, which playfully glide around divers.

All of our Dive Liveaboard trips currently include diving at Cousins. We also visit Cousins weekly during our Hotel Based Galapagos Diving trips.