Islands and Archipelagos

Cocos Island lies off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. Surrounded by deep waters with counter-currents, Cocos Island National Park is admired by scuba divers for its populations of large marine species.

Coiba Island, the largest in Central America, lies off the western coast of Panama in the Pacific Ocean. Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects Coiba Island, 38 smaller islands, and the surrounding marine areas within the Gulf of Chiriqui.

Easter Island lies at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle in Oceania. It is famous for its monumental moai statues, created by the early Rapa Nui. Rapa Nui National Park is a protected Chilean wildlife area and UNESCO World Heritage Site on Easter Island.

Saba Bank Atoll, nestled in the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea, stands as a unique and vital ecosystem of unparalleled ecological significance. This atoll is not only the largest actively growing submarine atoll in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean but also the third largest in the world. Saba Bank Atoll was designated the Saba Bank National Park, a testament to its importance in safeguarding marine biodiversity.

The Exuma Cays are an archipelago of over 365 islands and cays in the Bahamas known for their white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and crystal-clear waters. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a protected area that extends from Shroud Cay in the north to Bell Cay in the south.

Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago located off the northeast coast of Brazil in the South Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago comprises 21 islands and islets, the most significant being Fernando de Noronha. In addition, Rocas Atoll is a circular coral reef that encloses a lagoon.

Situated off Colombia's Pacific coast, the island of Gorgona is a true ecological gem. It boasts a rich biodiversity and a fascinating history that spans indigenous cultures and colonial exploration. This remote island, part of Colombia's Insular Region, is a world unto itself, isolated from the mainland by the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Gorgona is home to Gorgona Natural National Park, a protected area established to preserve its unique ecological treasures.

The Grenadines are a chain of islands and islets between Grenada and St. Vincent in the Lesser Antilles, noted for its beautiful scenery, spectacular beaches, and diverse marine habitats. Its cultural heritage results from blending African, Carib, East Indian, Portuguese, and European influences.

Hispaniola is the second largest and most populated island in the Caribbean region. It is located within the Greater Antilles and is divided politically into two sovereign nations: the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Islas del Golfo de California, with over 240 islands, is located in northwestern Mexico between the rocky and arid peninsula of Baja California, the vast Sonoran Desert, and the abundant mangroves of Sinaloa. It is a part of the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California World Heritage site.