Islands and Archipelagos

Islas Marietas are a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico, southwest of the peninsula known as Punta de Mita. The islands are characterized by their wealth of bird and fish fauna. The island archipelago is both a National Park and Biosphere Reserve.

Nestled off Cuba's southern shores, the Jardines de la Reina archipelago beckons as an aquatic haven, revered for its untouched coral reefs and flourishing marine habitats. This expansive sanctuary, encompassing over 250 coral islands and cays, is one of Cuba's most significant protected regions, boasting dual distinctions as a marine reserve and a national park. Renowned for its translucent waters and immaculate coral formations, the area teems with a rich array of marine biodiversity.

The Juan Fernández Archipelago is a sparsely inhabited group of islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of central Chile. The islands occur where the volcanic Juan Fernández Ridge protrudes above sea level. Protected areas include the islands of Robinson Crusoe, Alexander Selkirk, and Santa Clara.

Los Roques is an archipelago off the northern coast of Venezuela with over 300 small islands, cays and sand banks that ring a central shallow lagoon. Los Roques Archipelago National Park was created to protect its marine ecosystem of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds.

Isla Magdalena National Park is a protected area on Magdalena Island, Patagonia, Chile. Its rugged landscape, deep ravines and coastal cliffs make it an ideal environment for species such as Penguins, Cormorants, Sea Lions, and Southern River Otters.

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a large marine protected area off Colombia's Pacific coast. This World Heritage Site includes the barren Malpelo Island, its rocky outcroppings, and the surrounding marine environment, recognized as one of the top diving sites in the world.

The Marajó Archipelago is the largest fluvial-maritime archipelago on Earth. It is located in the states of Amapá and Pará in Brazil and is formed by approximately 2,500 islands. Marajó Island is the main and largest of the islands in the Marajó Archipelago.

Margarita Island, Cubagua Island, and Coche Island are the largest of 70 islands comprising Nueva Esparta state, situated off the northeastern coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. Margarita Island was discovered by Columbus in 1498 and is known as the "Isle of Pearls."

Ometepe is an island in southwest Nicaragua, formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua. It is the lake's largest island. Two imposing volcanoes, Maderas and Concepción, define its topography. The island has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Nestled within the captivating Gulf of Honduras, a wide inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lies a tropical paradise – the Bay Islands. Among these islands, Roatán stands out as a jewel, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich natural heritage. This region, indenting the coasts of Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, boasting a unique ecosystem with a diverse array of coastal marine waters, including estuaries, barrier beaches, lagoons, salt marshes, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, keys, and barrier reefs.