Gorgona Island is situated off the Pacific Coast of Colombia in waters north of the famous Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. This stretch of the Pacific Ocean must have some magical properties as like the Galapagos, Gorgona has a completely unique eco-system with many of its species being endemic to its jungle-covered interior and coral-filled reefs.

In 1527 Francisco Pizarro baptised the island “Gorgona”, dedicated to the mythical Greek entity; the Gorgon who instead of hair atop her head, had live snakes and like its namesake, Gorgona is inundated with snake species. It is for this reason that night-time walks after 5pm are prohibited as this is when the venomous inhabitants are actively hunting. Between 1959 and 1982, the island was a prison and penal colony and during walks around the island, visitors can explore the remnants of the prison and marvel at how the jungle has rapidly taken back the land that was once its property before the construction of the prison. Other animal species that can be admired within the limits of the national park include; monkeys, birds, amphibians, and reptiles and in the surrounding warm, Pacific waters; humpback whales (between August and October), dolphins, turtles and whale-sharks.

Gorgona Island is a true ecological wonder and leaves all who experience it exhilarated and with a huge appreciation of spectacular island rainforests, coral-reefs and the animals that exist in them.
 

On the Island of Gorgona, are archaeological remnants and artefacts that tell us that the island was once home to a pre-Colombian culture before the arrival of Francisco Pizarro in 1527. In the mid to late 20th century, the island was made a maximum-security prison by the government and was subsequently closed in 1982 when the protection of this wonder of nature was recognised as being needed. Artefacts made by the inmates of the prison are on display in the museum on the island.

The island is now uninhabited by a “culture” although it is visited by fishermen who live on the Pacific Coast of Colombia from time to time. The main activity on the island today is the scientific examination and ecological conservation of the fragile wildlife. A section of the island is set out to welcome the arrival of and to accommodation tourists who come to visit the island.