"Isla Gorgona" a Isla Gorgona Travel Page by MalenaN

Isla Gorgona is an island, and national park, on the Colombian Pacific coast in Cauca Department. It is a 9 km long and 2,5 km wide island. At the south western tip is the smaller island Isla Gorgonilla, which also belongs to the national park. Isla Gorgona is situated 50 km from the coast. It is hot and humid on Isla Gorgona the year round with an average temperature of 27°C and an annual rainfall of 4000 mm. It rains all year round but more in September and October and less in February and March.

On the island there are petroglyfs, stone statue and a ceremonial site made by Indian tribes. Other artefacts has also been found and they show that people lived on the island at least as far back as 3300 years ago. In 1527 the conquistador Francisco Pizarro came here and he was the one who gave Isla Gorgona its name, after the Greek Gorgon. It was named Isla Gorgona because of all the snakes that were found on the island. The island then became a pirates lair, and during the 20th century Colombia’s high security prison was situated here. In 1984 the national park was established and it has now become a place for research and eco-tourism.

Isla Gorgona is a volcanic island covered with dense tropical rainforest. The highest peak is 330 metres. There is a high diversity of flora and fauna on the island, and because the island has been separated for a long time from the continent many endemic species can be found here. Some of the animals that can be seen on the island are monkeys, lizards, snakes, frogs, caimans, bats and birds. And in the water there are humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and much more.

No people are living on Isla Gorgona permanently, but only the people working with the national park and tourism and researchers. There are not many tourists at a time on the island. I booked my tour via Aviatur in Bogotá a week before my visit. I stayed on the Island Tuesday - Saturday. The first days we were only 5 - 7 tourists, but for the weekend some more arrived. As a tourist there are a few walks you can do, but you must always go with a guide. You can also snorkel, dive or go whale-watching. It is a great experience and I enjoyed my visit very much!