Isla Gorgona

Isla Gorgona is an island located 28kms off Colombia’s Pacific Coast, it has a total area of 25km². It is 9kms long and at its widest point it is 2.5kms. The island can only be reached by boat from Guapi.

Until further notice it is not possible to offer this destination or activity.

Its small size belies the incredibly broad variety of wildlife on this Pacific Ocean island, it is a paradise for eco tourism. Previously the island was the Alcatraz of Colombia and housed a prison, today you can visit what remains of the former penal colony.

With its wealth of flora and fauna, Gorgona national natural park is one of Colombia’s top highlights for nature lovers, it boasts no fewer than 147 species of birds, more than 100 different insects and over 500 species of marine animals. Gorgona is also known for its venomous snakes including the terciopelo, and two species of coral snakes.

The most popular time to visit is between July and October when one can see the migrating humpback whales. You can observe this spectacle from the island’s beaches or on a boat tour. A genuinely incredible experience awaits you.

For scuba diving fanatics, Gorgona has Colombia’s greatest coral reef and we can also organise diving tours for the chance to see rays, sharks and whales.

How to get to Isla Gorgona

Administratively the island is in the Colombian Department of Cauca. The journey to Gorgona is out of Guapi by boat. This small town is reached from Cali by air, we can organise a travel package including accommodation, flights, ground transportation and meals.

Scheduled transfer boats from Guapí to Gorgona and back again currently only operate on weekdays. There are no scheduled boats on Saturday or Sunday. We recommend you coordinate your trip to coincide with the scheduled boats.

The timings for scheduled boat services are

• Guapí to Gorgona departs at 12h30
• Gorgona to Guapí departs at 06h00

These flight times coordinate perfectly with Satena inbound and outbound flights from from and to Cali.

Due to security concerns we do not offer trips to Gorgona via Buenaventura.

Accommodation

The only accommodation option on the island is the Vedas Cabins owned by the Gorgona Park Authority. All in all the cabins can accommodate 80 people in 18 rooms divided between 6 buildings.

Clients visiting Gorgona should manage their expectations accordingly. The island is remote and compromised in a way that other Colombian destinations are not. There may be occasional interruptions to hot water, electricity and the internet.

Although the accommodation is basic, it does boast incredible ocean views.

Important

• For a visit to Gorgona a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory and you may be required to show a vaccination certificate at the park’s entrance. You should also exercise caution walking around Gorgona, the park has numerous wild snakes.
• Gorgona is a protected national park, it is strictly prohibited to remove shells, corals, plants or anything else from the island.
• You should take good walking shoes with you, as well as clothes suitable for the tropical climate and sun protection.

Programme

The normal duration of a visit to the island is 4 days / 3 nights. Depending on your wishes, the stay may be lengthened or shortened. Your trip can include numerous ecological walks, a visit to the prison’s ruins, hiking trails and a visit to Playa Palmera. Additionally you may choose to take a boat tour around the island, a great opportunity to watch the playful dolphins.

The best sites for snorkelling are Yundigua, El Planchón and La Parguera.

The museum in the El Payán sector offers an interesting cultural insight

The programmes we offer to Gorgona are are based on either nature tourism, whale watching or diving.

We arrange the flights or ground transportation, the boat trip from Guapí, and whatever tour or activity you could possibly desire.