Islas de San Bernardo
Ten coral islands in the Gulf of Morrosquillo with white beaches, reef and the most crowded islet in the world among them.
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The archipelago sits on a coral platform in the Gulf of Morrosquillo and consists of ten islands - Isla Mucura, Tintipan, Palma, Panda, Ceycen, Maravilla, Cabruna, Mangle, Punta and Santa Cruz del Islote. Tintipan is the largest and mostly mangrove; Mucura has the beaches and the hotels; Santa Cruz del Islote is the extraordinary one, a hectare of coral holding over a thousand people. The reef around the group supports snorkelling, though it has suffered from bleaching and from anchor and diver damage. The islands are part of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo national park, and land ownership on several has been contested between private holders, the state and communities.
What you actually see
- Ten coral islands - from mangrove-covered to beach-fringed.
- Isla Mucura - the beaches and most of the accommodation.
- Santa Cruz del Islote - a hectare holding over a thousand people.
- Reef under pressure - bleaching and physical damage.
When to go
December to April. A full day or overnight.
Honest expectations
Day trips are crowded and rushed; overnight is better if you can. Boat operators overcharge and overload - agree terms first. Reef condition has declined. Fresh water on the islands is limited and shipped in.
Nearby
Tolu is on the mainland; the Rosario islands are north.
What to pack for Islas de San Bernardo
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.