The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge established in 1974 maintains 587 acres of subtropical dry forest. While there go to the visitor center at the Refuge office with has a small museum where you can learn about the flora and fauna in the area Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, a subtropical dry forest, has a visitors center and interpretive displays as well as bird-watching trails.

An interpretive trail totaling 2 miles passes through the refuge and approximately 12 miles of hiking trails are available for birdwatching, photography and wildlife observation. Some 50 bird species occur in and around the refuge, including the endangered yellow-shouldered blackbird. No camping allowed. Open Mon-Fri from 7:00am to 4:00pm.

Salts Flats

While rounding the southwest point of Puerto Rico, it is believed that Columbus bestowed the name Cabo Rojo on the cape due to its limestone cliffs tinged red by minerals. The Spanish colonists soon took control of the natural salt flats on Cabo Rojo from the Taino Indians, makingsalt mining the oldest industry on Puerto Rico.

Las Salinas is located on the road to the lighthouse right across from Bahia Salinas. This attraction is surely worth a stop, the scenery is beautiful and quite amazing to see how the salt is collected. The sparkle of the dried salt is as the sun touches it is gorgeous. The salterns are composed of estuary surrounded by natural mats that feds a series of artificial salt ponds with seawater. The Salt Flats have been functioning since 1525. The coastal line borders sub-sea levels basins with inflow from the sea. The salt flats were added to the Cabo Rojo Refuge in 1999 becoming a part of the National Wildlife system. This addition allowed the Service to conserve and protect the single most important point of convergence for migratory shorebirds in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Cabo Rojo Salt Flats are considered unique and irreplaceable. The coastline, mangroves, seagrass beds, and offshore coral reefs next to the area, are prime fish habitat, and are considered special aquatic sites.

The salt flats are positioned in the Atlantic flyway and are a vital nesting ground and feeding area for the snowy plover, least tern, Wilson's plover, peregrine falcon, yellow shouldered blackbird, brown pelican, and several species of sea turtles. Indeed, no fewer than 118 bird species have been recorded for the area.

Cartagena Lagoon

If the weather is beautiful, you obtain a pleasant view of Cerro Mariquita from Laguna Cartagena, it's a gorgeous lake. The high level of rain makes Laguna Cartagena a rather wet place. This lake is so wonderful. Don't leave Laguna Cartagena without first going for a hike along the Vereda Descanso. A visit to Playa Boqueron near Laguna Cartagena is always a great idea; there's tremendous hiking along the Fuerte Trail.

Ratones Island

Isla Ratones is great for bathing and snorkeling. Has a beach with white soft sands, picnic tables and bathrooms. You can get to the island on a short boat ride from Joyuda. After a fun day at Isla Ratones, go to one of the restaurants in Joyuda to feast on the best and freshest seafood on the Island of Puerto Rico.

Joyuda Lagoon

Joyuda lagoon is a natural reservoir. The lagoon is one of only two natural reservoirs in the Island (the other being Tortuguero Lagoon), and is home to an ample variety of species. The lagoon is connected to the ocean through a small channel on the south of it, and is frequently used for fishing. For bird-watchers and naturalists this is a highly recommended stop.

Desecheo Island

The west coast is home to one of the healthiest reef systems and the clearest waters in the Caribbean, yet it is virtually unknown as a dive destination. Scuba diving at Desecheo Island boasts 100-150ft visibility consistently. The sites here are a wonderful place to practice your underwater photography or just relax and enjoy the scenery! The depths at Desecheo Island range from shallow (beginning at 20-30ft) to deeper, more advanced dives (dropping off to over 100ft). The majority of our sites at Desecheo Island are conducive for all levels of diving.

The sites around Desecheo vary from the typical coral reef habitats (soft and hard corals) to gardens of sea fans. Rocky reef habitats are also located closer to the island, as well as large swim-through arches and caverns. Sitting away from the island, on the northwest side, is a dramatic pinnacle rising from over 100 ft up to 20 ft. On the east side of the island is an underwater ravine, starting in approximately 40 feet and dropping down sheer walls to over 100 ft.

Desecheo Island sits approximately 14 miles offshore and covers roughly 360 acres. It is a relatively small island that juts out of the Mona Passage. The uninhabited island is managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Services. It was named a National Wildlife Refuge in 1976. The surrounding waters are a marine reserve.  

Mona Island

Dazzling coral reefs, breathtaking cliffs and a multitude of caves make Mona Island the perfect habitat and the best kept Caribbean refuge to more than a hundred endangered species. Giant iguanas and sea turtles, red-footed boobies and many other migrating birds will be your welcoming hosts during a visit to this small island sandwiched between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Mona's uniqueness among other Caribbean islands lies in its use as a natural reserve for the conservation of sea turtles and the strict protection program implemented to preserve its ecosystem. The island is not inhabited except by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel -- resident biologist and rangers. Ecotravelers, nature lovers, biologists and ecologists are most welcomed.