Gilligan’s Island


Gilligan’s Island and nearby Isla Ballena (Whale Island) are all part of the same set of small mangrove islands off the tip of the Caña Gorda peninsula and are technically part of the dry-forest reserve of Bosque Estatal de Guánica. Neither is too sandy, but both offer good sunbathing and passable snorkeling, and both get quite popular with day-trippers.

The ambitious can reach both islands via kayak; rentals are available at the Copamarina Beach Resort and Mary Lee's by the Sea for US$20 per hour or about US$40 per day, or you can catch the ferry in front of Restaurante San Jacinto every hour, barring bad weather.

If Gilligan’s is packed, pony up a couple more dollars to the captain and try the less-visited isles of Ballena. The isles are closed to the public on Monday – apparently to give them a chance to recover from the influx of tourists over the previous week.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Playa Ballena

1.65 MILES

The lovely Bahía de la Ballena represents the end of the road (Hwy 333) and a rare opportunity to park your car and rely on two legs rather than four…

2. Playa Tamarindo

1.92 MILES

Follow Hwy 333 to its conclusion at Bahía de la Ballena and you'll find that the charming little access route to Playa Tamarindo is blocked off from…

3. Bosque Estatal de Guánica

2.22 MILES

The immense 10,000-acre expanse of the Guánica Biosphere Reserve is one of the island's great natural treasures. Located in two wonderfully untrammeled…

4. Centro de Arte Alejandro Franceschi

6.48 MILES

Yauco’s immaculate little art museum is housed in a 1907 building chock-full of Victorian oil paintings and gilded frescoes. It's on the eastern side of…

5. Casa Museo de la Música

6.52 MILES

Musicians might find a bit of diversion in this former home of local composer Amaury Veray Torregrosa, though the wilting Creole house has little inside…

6. Plaza de Recreo

6.59 MILES

On the laid-back Plaza de Recreo, the massive Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora del Rosario casts a long shadow over domino players and strolling couples…

7. Bosque Estatal de Susúa

9.1 MILES

This mysterious, mist-shrouded forest strewn across hills north of Yauco is just 3300 acres and practically deserted year-round. Ambitious hikers and…

8. Bahía de Fosforescente

9.52 MILES

The once-glittering waters of Bahía de Fosforescente remain by far La Parguera’s biggest draw, but the environmental impact of boat tours and developments…