Serranilla Bank

Serranilla Bank is a coral reef and submerged sandbank in the western Caribbean Sea off the coasts of Nicaragua and Colombia. More than a thousand square kilometers lie underwater, while three tiny sandy islets and two rocks remain visible at the surface.

The reef appeared on Spanish naval charts for the first time in 1510 and was later claimed by several Caribbean states. Disputes continued for centuries until an international court in 2012 established a division of sea areas between Colombia and Nicaragua.

Colombian naval personnel live on Beacon Cay in rotating shifts and take care of navigation aids for passing ships. The small crew keeps the beacons and radio equipment running, helping vessels find their way in this distant corner of the Caribbean.

Access requires specialized nautical equipment and strong navigation skills, as the location sits more than 350 kilometers northeast of Nicaragua. Currents and underwater formations make approaches risky, so only experienced sailors should consider a trip there.

A traveler spotted the Caribbean monk seal here for the last time in 1952, before the species went extinct. Scientists believe the seals rested in the shallow reefs until overfishing and hunting made them disappear.