Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Desecheo Island is located approximately 13 miles west of Puerto Rico's west coast and is part of the Puerto Rican archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. Covering around 1,011 acres, this rugged limestone island features steep cliffs, dry terrestrial habitats, and surrounding coral reefs. Desecheo Island was once used as a military bombing range, but today it is protected as a natural reserve managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. The island's dry forest ecosystem supports a limited number of native plants and birds, including the endangered brown booby. Its surrounding waters are renowned for vibrant coral formations, tropical fish, rays, turtles, and occasional sharks, making it a prized location for underwater recreation. On land, public entry is highly restricted through permits issued mainly for research, conservation, or specialized recreational use — primarily diving and snorkeling. There are no developed facilities, trails, or campgrounds due to its protected status and sensitive environment. Visitors are drawn by the clear water visibility and abundant marine life, though landing on the island itself is tightly controlled to prevent ecological disturbance. Desecheo also serves as an important reference site for marine conservation and habitat restoration in the Caribbean region.
