Isla Beata

Beata lies off Cabo Beata at the southwestern tip of the country, a low limestone island of about twenty-seven square kilometres inside Jaragua National Park, with no permanent civilian population beyond a small naval post and a few fishing camps. It matters biologically: the island and the smaller Alto Velo beyond hold endemic reptiles including a distinct subspecies of rhinoceros iguana, and the surrounding waters and beaches are important for turtles and seabirds. Visits are day trips by chartered boat from Bahía de las Águilas, landing on beaches of pale sand and clear water with nothing built anywhere on them, and are entirely weather dependent.

What you actually see

• The empty beaches - pale sand and clear water with no development at all.
• Endemic reptiles - iguanas and lizards found only here and on nearby cays.
• Alto Velo - the steep islet beyond, the country's southernmost point.
• The crossing - open water off the southwestern cape.

When to go

December to April has the calmest sea, though the waters off Cabo Beata are exposed and trips are cancelled often. Boats are chartered from Bahía de las Águilas or Pedernales and arranged locally. The whole trip depends on wind.

Honest expectations

This is a charter, not a scheduled service, and the cost falls on whoever books it, so it works out expensive for small groups. The crossing is exposed and frequently rough. There is nothing on the island: no shade, no water, no facility, and no help if something goes wrong. Park permission is required and is not always straightforward.

Nearby

Bahía de las Águilas is the mainland base; Pedernales is the nearest town.