San Benedicto Island

San Benedicto Island is a volcanic landform off the coast of Colima with two distinct peaks, the highest called Barcena rising roughly 310 meters above the sea. The terrain shows raw volcanic features with rocky surfaces and is surrounded entirely by open ocean.

The island was documented by Spanish explorer Hernando de Grijalva in 1533 and received its original name based on the discovery date. A major volcanic event in 1952 from the Boquerons vent reshaped the landscape and created new geological features.

The island draws researchers and divers who witness the recovery of native plant life and observe how marine ecosystems function in isolation. You can see how nature reclaims areas and what animals call this remote place home.

Reaching the island requires special permits and a boat trip on licensed dive vessels, with most operations running between November and July when conditions are more favorable. Prepare for rough seas and a long ocean crossing, as this remote location demands careful planning.

The 1952 eruption from the Boquerons vent created new rock formations through pyroclastic flows that dramatically changed the islands surface. You can still see evidence of this volcanic event in the varied rock types and structures that shape the landscape today.