Cayos de Caña Gorda, Three small cays off Guánica, Puerto Rico.
Cayos de Cana Gorda comprises three small islands - Isla Ballena, Cayo Honda, and Cayo Aurora - located in clear waters and surrounded by mangroves. The islands feature wide natural beaches and remain uninhabited, giving them an undeveloped appearance.
One of the islands received the nickname Gilligan Island in the 1970s from a family from Philadelphia who relocated there. This connection to the Keegan/Barnett family remains part of the local history of the place.
The islands serve as a natural gathering spot where locals and visitors swim, snorkel, and spend time on the beaches throughout the year. This everyday use has made the cays a recognized destination for water recreation along Puerto Rico's southern coast.
The best way to reach the islands is by boat from mainland Guanica or by kayak through the shallow waters near Punta Ballena. Visitors should check weather conditions and tidal patterns before heading out.
The mangroves surrounding the islands form an ecosystem where many fish species spawn and grow. This hidden life beneath the roots is what gives the waters their particular clarity and species diversity.
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