Isla de Cañas, Protected wildlife refuge island in Los Santos Province, Panama.
Isla de Cañas is an island off the Pacific coast in Los Santos Province with dark sand beaches containing iron and magnesium minerals. The terrain is low and shaped by the shoreline, where the beaches serve mainly as turtle nesting habitat.
The government of Panama designated the island as a protected refuge in 1994, giving it formal status as a controlled natural area. This recognition marked the beginning of systematic efforts to preserve habitats and animal populations.
The island holds meaning for nearby communities who work together to monitor and protect sea turtle nesting grounds. This shared responsibility connects people to the natural cycles and survival of these marine creatures.
The best time to visit is between July and December when turtles come ashore to nest. Reach the island through organized tours departing from Tonosí district, so arrange these visits in advance.
Every year tens of thousands of turtles representing three different species come ashore to nest on these same beaches. This makes the island one of the most important nesting sites in the Pacific for these animals.
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