Known mostly to locals and frequented by few travelers, these islands have an expansive amount of marine life and culture. This list includes islands in Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. 

1. Glover’s Reef Atoll 

Belize 

Opened to only a few visitors at a time, this 9-acre island is surrounded by Glover’s Reef—a 90 square mile stretch of reef made up of 700 individual patch reefs in a lagoon. This reef is thought to be the richest marine environment in the Caribbean Sea. There are many things to do on the island, such as kayaking, snorkeling, attending a yoga retreat or just relaxing. Once frequented by pirates, this protected marine reserve has been a designated World Heritage Site since 1996. 

2. Isla del Caño

Costa Rica 

During pre-Columbian times, this island was a cemetery and home to Indigenous cultures. Located just 10 miles off the Osa Peninsula, it is a protected biological reserve surrounded by five platforms of low coral reefs. It is also home to an abundance of marine life, including sharks, whale sharks, dolphins, moray eels, sting rays and a variety of tropical reef fish. There are no hotels or guesthouses on the island; staying overnight is not allowed.. There are many tours available right outside of the Ballena Marine National Park. Your day trip or overnight stay can begin at the Osa Peninsula, Uvita or Sierpe. 

 3. Hog Islands

Honduras 

Off of the northern mainland coast of La Ceiba in Honduras lie the Hog Islands, known in Spanish as Cayos Cochinos. They consist of two small islands and 13 tiny sand cays. It’s inhabited by the Garifuna people, and they are the only ones allowed to fish the waters. The islands are managed by the Cayos Cochinos Foundation; they work in unison with the Honduran government and the Garifuna people to preserve the water’s health. The smaller of the two islands is used exclusively as a center for scientific investigation. Cayos Cochinos is a Marine Protected Area (MPA), which includes part of the world's second largest coral reef system known as the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. 

4. Isla Guadalupe

Mexico's Baja Peninsula 

The remote volcanic island of Isla Guadalupe, which is Spanish for Guadalupe Island, is located off the west coast of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. The island is home to elephant seals and Guadalupe seals and is inhabited by scientists, military personnel operating a weather station and a small group of seasonal fishermen. The waters surrounding Isla Guadalupe drive experienced divers to take in the views of underwater life; it is known to consistently outperform South Africa and Australia with shark-seeing consistency. The diving tours leave the ports of Ensenada and San Diego and last on average five days.

5. Isla Ometepe

Nicaragua 

Located southwest of Lake Nicaragua, Isla Ometepe is home to twin volcanoes: Concepción and Maderas. The island is inhabited with dense forests, natural springs, lake views and hiking trails. There are also diverse plant and animal species, including white-headed capuchins, yellow-naped Parrots and guayabón fruit trees. The island is visited by backpackers and nature seeking enthusiasts, with locals sharing that more eco-tourists are arriving. The best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. In the dry season, the butterfly garden is open in Charco Verde, the ecological reserve. 

6. Little Corn Island

Nicaragua 

Little Corn is the smallest of the Corn Islands off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast. Once ruled by the British, this remote island produces coconut oil, lobsters and shrimp and is inhabited by roughly 850 people. There are no cars, golf carts, motorcycles or an airport. Seeing the island is possible, but requires two or more connection flights, as well as a 30-minute boat ride from Bluefields, Nicaragua. It’s visited by many who enjoy diving due to the hundreds of dive spots that surround the island. Featuring cheap dining prices, a beer on the island is less than a dollar, and a fresh caught lobster dinner is on average $12.

7. Islas Zapatillas

Panama

Islas Zapatillas or Little Shoes Cays (named for their resemblance to footprints) are two small islands in Bocas del Toro, Panama. The islands are inhabited by sloths and protected by the Bastimentos National Marine Park. Islas Zapatillas are important ecological sites for the endangered hawksbill sea turtles that nest on their shores. You can explore the island through a tour or by charting a private boat to have a more intimate experience. The island is uninhabited, so making sure you have enough water, food, sunscreen and all other necessities is key to enjoying yourself here. 

 8. San Blas Islands

Panama 

The San Blas Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Panama. The Kuna Tribe of Panama inhabit the islands and have strictly controlled development and tourism here. All of the money spent on the islands falls directly into the hands of the Kuna Community. Day trips are available, but if staying overnight is an option you’d like to explore, palm-thatched cabins with a sand floor are available. They also offer overwater bungalows or even options for camping. There are visitors who decide to experience the Kuna lifestyle and culture; in those cases, they organize to stay in a dorm of a Kuna family. The island is filled with water activities and scenic views. However, researchers claim that the islands are at risk of disappearing in a matter of decades due to erosion and poor resource management.

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Jennifer is a Communications Studies graduate based in Los Angeles. She grew up traveling with her dad and that is where her love for travel stems from. You can find her serving the community at her church, Fearless LA or planning her next trip overseas. She hopes to be involved in international humanitarian work one day.