Corcovado Island | La Libertad

Corcovado Island is located in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of the department of La Libertad, Peru.

Biodiversity

Corcovado Island, despite its small size, is home to a great biodiversity, being a crucial place for the conservation of the marine-coastal ecosystem of Peru. Here is a summary of the rich biodiversity that can be found on the island:

Birds:

Guano birds: The island is home to important populations of guano birds, such as the Peruvian booby (Sula variegata), the guanay (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii), the neotropical cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) and the pelican (Pelecanus spp.). These birds are responsible for the formation of guano, a valuable natural fertilizer.
Other seabirds: In addition to guano birds, other seabirds can be observed on the island, such as the black-winged stilt (Larosterna inca), the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), the chuita (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), the Peruvian gull (Larus belcheri), the Dominican gull (Larus dominicanus), and the red-headed gallinule (Cathartes aura).
Marine mammals:
Sea lions: Two species of sea lions inhabit the waters around the island: the fur seal (Otaria flavescens) and the chinchero sea lion (Otaria furina).
Dolphins: Dolphins can also be observed in the waters around the island, such as the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

Fish:

Corcovado Island is an important feeding and breeding ground for several species of fish, such as cabrilla (Paralabrax humeralis), cachema (Cynoscion analis), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus) and anchoveta (Engraulis ringens).

Flora:

The flora of Corcovado Island is mainly composed of plants adapted to the saline and arid conditions, such as grasses, cacti and succulents.

The biodiversity of Corcovado Island plays a fundamental role in the balance of Peru’s marine-coastal ecosystem. The presence of guano birds, in particular, contributes to the fertilization of the sea, which benefits the growth of phytoplankton and, in turn, the entire food chain.

How to get to Corcovado Island in La Libertad?

The island is located about 100 kilometers off the coast of La Libertad, and can only be accessed by boat. There are no public docks on the island, so it is necessary to hire a tour or a private boat to get there.

If you are interested in visiting Corcovado Island, I recommend that you contact a local tour operator in La Libertad. They will be able to provide you with more information on how to get to the island and what activities can be done there

Recommendations for visiting Corcovado Island

Corcovado Island is a unique and wild place that offers visitors the opportunity to observe a great variety of marine flora and fauna. Here are some recommendations to make your visit to the island as memorable as possible:

Plan your trip:

Season: The best time to visit Corcovado Island is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. During this time, the weather is sunnier and there is less rain.
How to get there: There is no public transportation to Corcovado Island. You will need to hire a tour or private boat to get to the island.

What to pack: