Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge was created and protected by law around 1981. This is a 53-hectare wildlife reserve that has 13 hectares of dry tropical rainforest surrounded with a 40 hectare of coral reefs. There is also a large colony of frigatebirds that use this island as an important nesting area.
Our guests took the opportunity to explore this refuge with our naturalists and as they did, they passed the nesting area of the frigatebirds. Several males had their gular pouches inflated and were expecting to soon be joined by females.
After walks around the premises, we grabbed our gear and went snorkeling. The coral reef that surrounds the islands has over 17 species of coral and a bit more than 340 species of fish. Not only were fish found, but also hawk-billed sea turtles.
There was so much to see along the beach, too. A pair of American oystercatchers were found guarding their nest. Two eggs were eagerly protected by their parents.
We returned on board and during cocktail hour, we shared our thoughts about the marvelous day we had spent in the wildlife refuge.
