Puerto Rico ⏐ Puerto Rico Islands ⏐ Gilligan’s Island / Cayo Aurora
The prettiest natural pool… a wonderful day of swimming, snorkeling, and connecting with nature and each other.
Book a Private Tour to Gilligan's Island
Cayo Aurora, known as Gilligan’s Island, nicknamed after the popular TV show, is located in the town of Guanica, just a mile off the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Gilligan’s Island is part of the Biosphere Reserve of Guanica and is managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DRNA). A day at Gilligan’s allures visitors with calm, shallow, crystal clear waters perfect for swimming, floating, and snorkeling; you’ll be completely embraced by a landscape made up of mangrove trees, scenic views of Guanica’s coastline in the distance, and the endless blue hues of the Caribbean Sea.
Content – Gilligan’s Island Visitor’s Guide
- The Experience at Gilligan’s Island
- Activities at Gilligan’s Island
- Families with Small Children
- Crowds at Gilligan’s Island
- Facilities at Gilligan’s Island
- Visiting Guide – Tours, Getting Here, Visiting Tips, Directions
- Video Gallery
- Photo Gallery
- Map
Cayo Aurora is one of the three cays that make up Cayos de Caña Gorda (Caña Gorda Cays); Cayo Aurora is on the west side, Isla Ballena on the east side separated from the mainland by a channel of about 65 feet, and Cayo Honda is the cay in between.
When you arrive at the restaurant that offers the ferry ride to Gilligan’s Island, you’ll be greeted with a view of the coastline and colorful boats giving visitors a great photo background.
Things to Do at Gilligan’s Island – Guanica
Snorkeling, Birding, Swimming & Relaxation
Surrounded by a healthy mangrove system, Gilligan’s Island is a snorkeler’s haven with crystal clear waters, and a playground of schools of tropical fish. Bring your own snorkeling gear
or rent/buy at the main island in Guanica or nearby towns. If you’re a beginner snorkeler or you would like to get your children started, Gilligan’s is a great place to learn. The gentle currents slowly push you down the beach as you snorkel or float.
Snorkeling Tours at Gilligan's Island & Nearby La Parguera - Guanica
Cayo Aurora is an excellent place to kayak and there are other small islands next to it to explore. If you like bird watching, you will see a variety here.
Great for Families with Small Children
If you have small children, they’ll absolutely love this island. If you wish to introduce them to snorkeling, Gilligan’s is the perfect place. The bottom is very sandy, the water is shallow, and you can swim all around the island with little effort; under normal weather conditions, the current is slow and gentle. Families will enjoy having a snack at picnic tables, there are a few barbeque pits and gazebos for family picnics, just know they are limited, it is best to bring cooked food or sandwiches from the main island.
Crowds at Gilligan’s Island
Guanica is one of our favorite places to escape crowds; the coastline is peaceful, and Gilligan’s remains a tranquil retreat most of the year. If you prefer a more mellow vibe, visit Gilligan’s from mid-August until the end of March. The busiest time at Gilligan’s is when locals visit during holiday weekends and summer weekends.
Along the water, you’ll find intimate spots under mangrove trees perfect for two. If you want a quiet romantic atmosphere, get here early during weekdays for the best spots and picnic facilities if you need them. In non-summer months, you may find yourself sharing the island with just a small group of people, perhaps have it to yourselves.
- There are composting toilets on the island, bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
- Picnic tables, get here early to claim one.
- Barbecue pits – bring everything you’ll need and be please sure to clean up after using.
- There are trash bins on the island, use them…and that includes bottle caps. If you find the island beautiful please help us keep it that way.
Gilligan's Island Regulations
- No Loud Music
- No games with rackets
- No hammocks
- No camping
- NO hanging or jumping from mangroves
- No pets
- No firepits
- NO DRINKS FROM BOTTLES PLEASE
Please keep our beaches clean, put your trash in a bag, and take it back to the main island to be disposed of. Thank you!
Water Taxi "Ferry" to Gilligan's Island, Guanica, Puerto Rico
There is a small private passenger ferry (water taxi) that operates from Tuesday to Sunday. The island is closed to visitors on Mondays, according to DRNA rules. On Google maps the location name is “San Jacinto“. You can also order food there to take to the island or order for lunch and they will deliver it to the island.
- The first trip leaving for Gilligan’s is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (depending on the number of visitors), and the return trip is at 5 p.m. The ferry regularly makes trips every half hour, but depending on the number of people, it may leave earlier or later.
- The cost is only $9.59 p/p round trip. Coolers $5.58.
- Before you make the trip to Guanica, please call 787-821-4941 for up-to-date rates and hours. Sadly, they rarely answer the phone because they don’t have a lot of staff. The only times we know they don’t make trips is when the weather does not allow them or they’ve had issues with the boat.
- If you get there and the ferry is not available, don’t fret, head to La Parguera, it is only a 25 minute drive, you can take a water taxi to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the cays. There are many restaurants at the village and you can wait until dark to go to the bioluminescent bay. Click for directions to La Parguera from water taxi parking lot
Tours to Gilligan's Island
Directions
From San Juan to Gilligan’s Island, Guanica – Take Highway 52 to the town of Ponce. Then head west (now called Porta del Sol) on Road 2 and south on Route 116 to the town of Guanica. Then take Road #333. Following the turn to Copamarina Beach Resort make a right, shortly you’ll see a parking lot on your right, park there and get your tickets.
Google Directions: On Google maps the location name for the water taxi is “San Jacinto” – Guanica, Puerto Rico
Need to Know & Visiting Tips
- There is no beach area, the middle of the island is covered in mangrove trees, and there is just enough space for a few picnic tables and gazebos. The small sandy areas are just wide enough to enter and exit the water. At times, the waters are so shallow that you can bring your lounge chair and place it right on the water under the shade of a mangrove tree or right in the middle of the natural pool. Floats are great for Cayo Aurora.
- During the low season and on weekdays, you’ll mostly have the island to yourself. During the summer months and high tourist season, particularly on weekends, the island is a popular place for locals, so get there early to grab a spot and picnic table. Locals like to bring music, and it can get loud with young crowds in the summer months when kids are off school.
- There are no lifeguards there so you’re on your own, keep an eye on your kids.
- Food – There are no shops at Gilligan’s Island, so bring a cooler with everything you’ll need. The restaurant at the ferry sells food and they’ll take your order and bring it to the island if you wish.
- Bring bug spray; the mornings are good; by 2 pm, mosquitos and sand flies start arriving.
Following is a fun video created by Grayson and friends, who reached out to us to share their creation.
