National park · Colombia
Isla Gorgona National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Isla Gorgona
Visit Isla Gorgona for a day of diving or a short hike: take a guided boat from Buenaventura (≈4 h, COP 200 k round‑trip) for diving, or a 2‑hour guided hike to Playa Blanca from the hotel; go June–November for whale watching, avoid the rainy season in May.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
26 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (26 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
- Colombian Islands ↗San Andrés and Providencia require a tourist card on arrival; buy it at the departure airport or on landing — check the current fee.
- Colombian Islands ↗Reef and mangrove areas are protected; no touching coral, no collecting shells, no anchoring on reef.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 26 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (26 km²)
- Park covers about 26 km² of land; figures may vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Isla Gorgona National Natural Park is a remote Pacific island with a former prison, tropical rainforest and rich marine life, offering diving, whale‑watching and short guided hikes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
26 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (26 km²) · national park since 1990
Park covers about 26 km² of land; figures may vary by source (check).
Why go
- World‑class diving with abundant marine life, including turtles, sharks and seasonal humpback whales.
- A former high‑security prison turned museum gives a rare historical glimpse.
- Remote tropical rainforest with reptiles, birds and a chance to see humpback whales June–November.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, less rain; good for diving.
- FebWarm, low rain.
- MarWarm, early whale season starts.
- AprWarm, still dry.
- MayRain increases; trails muddy.
- JunPeak humpback whale season, good diving.
- JulWhale season, warm sea.
- AugWhale season, good visibility.
- SepWhale season, still warm.
- OctWhale season, less rain.
- NovEnd of whale season, still warm.
- DecWarm, dry start of year.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whales (seasonal migration)Jun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Sea turtles, reef fish, sharksAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reptiles (poisonous snakes)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Buenaventura
Cargo ship or launch; cargo ships depart 4‑6 PM, 10 h trip, COP 80‑90 k; launches 4 h, COP 80 k round‑trip; reservations via local agents.
4–10 h
Open the page →
From Guapi
Fast boat (2 h) arranged by local operators; price COP 350‑500 k round‑trip.
2 h
Open the page →
From El Charco
Charco cargo boat (≈5 h); cost COP 500 k one‑way; contact local agents.
5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel & restaurant area (El Poblado) | Main accommodation, restaurant, souvenir shop, equipment rental. | Open to guests; free guide available for short walks. |
| Old prison site | Historic prison buildings, museum area. | Guided visits only. |
| Dive sites & marine zone | Coral reefs, whale‑watching points, snorkeling beaches. | Boat‑based; dive shop provides gear. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the hotel; other points approximated from maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat round‑trip (Buenaventura – Gorgona – Buenaventura) | COP 200,000 | person | Includes park entry fee (check). |
| Guided hike to Playa Blanca | COP 350,000–500,000 | person | From Guapi; price varies (check). |
| Hotel accommodation (per night) | COP 300,000–500,000 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- COP 200,000
- COP 350,000–500,000
- COP 300,000–500,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official Isla Gorgona website before you go.
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Not permitted on the island; fines apply.
- Guides
- Required for any trail beyond the hotel area and for prison visits.
- Snakes
- Wear rubber boots after 5 PM and stay on marked paths.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use restaurant facilities only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no bins on the beach.
Where to stay
In the park
Isla Gorgona Hotel
Simple rooms, meals included, beachfront.
Near the park
Buenaventura
Budget hotels and hostels for pre‑/post‑island stays.
Safety
Snakes medium
Heat / dehydration low
Boat conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Hotel area reachable by boat; short, flat paths suitable for limited mobility.
- Trails and dive sites involve stairs, uneven ground and are not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Rent snorkeling/diving gear locally to reduce waste.
- Do not collect shells or coral; respect marine protected area.
- Support the hotel’s conservation program by buying locally made souvenirs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Isla Gorgona?
Boat tickets from Buenaventura cost about COP 200 000 per person round‑trip and include the park entry fee (check exact amount).
What are the best hikes in Isla Gorgona?
The guided hike to Playa Blanca (≈2 h) offers rainforest scenery; the prison museum walk (≈1 h) is also popular. Both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Isla Gorgona?
June–November for humpback whale watching; January–April for dry, warm conditions good for diving.
Is alcohol allowed on the island?
No. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the national park.
Do I need a guide for diving?
A local dive shop provides guides and equipment; diving without a guide is not permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go