Socorro Island, Shield volcano in Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico
Socorro Island is a shield volcano in the Pacific Ocean that rises about 920 meters above sea level and features rocky cliffs with multiple volcanic cones. Its surface is covered by dry tropical forests that grow on the volcanic bedrock.
The island came under Mexican administration through Colima State in 1861, but plans to establish a penal colony failed to materialize. Over time it became a center for scientific observation and protection of endangered wildlife.
The island serves as a refuge for researchers studying endangered species like the Socorro dove and Socorro parakeet. Visitors can observe how the dry tropical forests provide habitat for animals found nowhere else in the world.
Reaching the island requires a sea journey of about 26 to 30 hours from mainland Mexico, with access limited to authorized vessels. Visitors should expect rough waters and limited landing facilities.
The waters surrounding the island were incorporated into North America's largest marine protected area in 2017, encompassing 150,000 square kilometers. This protection zone ranks among the world's most extensive marine reserves.
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