Bosque Estatal De Guánica: Gilligans Island
General Description: Ferry Ride to Gilligans Island. Easy Swim/snorkel in Mangrove shallows. There is a wide range of accommodations from camping to luxury hotels. This is a very unique experience; Bosque Estatal De Guánica is a marvelous place.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Maps: USGS TPR5964558, Punta Verraco, PR; USGS TPR5964576, Guanica, PR
Finding the Beach: From San Juan, the journey to Bosque Estatal De Guánica (Guanica State Forest) is a 2 hour trip over the central mountains of Puerto Rico. Take the Caguas Highway #52 over the mountains to Ponce. In Ponce merge onto Highway #2 towards Mayaguez travel for 30 miles then take the PR-116 exit to Guanica. In the town of Guanica take PR-333 follow the signs to Bosque Estatal De Guánica. Follow PR-333 out of the town of Guanica along the east side of the bay entering Bosque Estatal De Guánica follow PR-333 to Copamarina Beach Resort on the right. Park in the resort parking lot; go to the front desk to pay for the boat ride out to Gilligans Island.
There is also a ferry at San Jacinto Restaurant which is the first right after the Copamarina Resort off of PR-333. Turn right drive about 100 meters it will be on the right, on the bay.
Beach Overview: Bosque Estatal De Guánica is a marvelous subtropical dry forest region; with a great public beach and wonderful snorkeling opportunities all along its coast. On this trip we stayed at the Copamarina Beach Resort and took the ferry to Gilligans Island, to snorkel and spend the morning relaxing in the sun and the ocean. Gilligans Island is one of many Mangrove Island Reefs that outline the southern coast of Puerto Rice. They are full of marine life and Beach recreational opportunities. On Gilligans Island, you can find yourself a private beach with or without a picnic table. Enjoy the beach, swim, and snorkel. The beach is a favorite with locals and tourist alike. You will see families playing in the water at the shallow beach on the leeward side of the island where the ferry docks.
When taking the Ferry make sure to pack everything for an extended stay of a few hours or more. Some Sunscreen, food, and water are recommended. Have a snorkel and a picnic. If staying at Copamarina you can have them pack you a food basket.
If taking the San Jacinto ferry the restaurant has great fish and other local fare for sale. If time allows this a great place to have lunch.
You won’t find Ginger, Mary Ann and Mr. Thurston on this Gilligan's Island, but you find fish, coral and a very good day on this small Island paradise.
Snorkeling Instructions: Once the ferry docks it is a short walk down the boat dock board walk; then a short hike of just a couple of hundred meters to the windward side of the Island. Find a private beach in the Mangroves and jump in. Snorkel along the windward coast. The island is held together with the roots of the mangrove tree. These roots will extend into the water providing a habitat for marine life. You will be swimming with the fishes, with the mangrove trees blowing in the sea breeze above. Enjoy.
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| Guanica State Forest |
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| The Ferry at San Jacinto Restaurant |
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| The view across the bay of Copamarina Resort |
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| Mangrove Trees |
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| Mangrove Shallows |
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| The Dock at Gilligans Island |
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| The Beach at Gilligans Island |
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| Gilligans Island from the Ferry |
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