Cayos Cochinos

Cayos Cochinos

Nickname: Hog Islands
View from lighthouse facing southwest
Cayos Cochinos Cayos Cochinos (Honduras)
Geography
Location	Caribbean Sea
Coordinates	15°58′18.99″N 86°28′31.34″W / 15.9719417°N 86.4753722°W / 15.9719417; -86.4753722
Total islands	15
Major islands	2
Area	2 km2 (0.77 sq mi)
Administration
Honduras
Department	Bay Islands
Municipality	Islas de la Bahia
Demographics
Population	108
Pop. density	54 /km2 (140 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Garifuna

The Cayos Cochinos or Cochinos Cays are a group of two small islands (15°58′18.99″N 86°28′31.34″W / 15.9719417°N 86.4753722°W / 15.9719417; -86.4753722) (Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande) and 13 more small coral cays situated 30 kilometres (19 mi) northeast of La Ceiba on the northern shores of Honduras. Although geographically separate, they belong to the Bay Islands department and are part of Roatán municipality. The population numbered 108 at the 2001 census. The total land area measures about 2 km² (0.8 sq mi).

The islands are a Marine Protected Area and are managed by the Honduran Coral Reef Foundation. The coral reef here is part of the world's second largest coral reef system known as the Meso-American Barrier Reef. There is a scientific research station on Cayo Menor, the smaller of the two main islands in the system.

National Geographic writes, "The waters around this collection of coral cays are a marine biologist's dream: protected by the government, off-limits to commercial divers and fishermen, and busy with creatures that may not yet have names." "The Cayos Cochinos reefs are the least disturbed ecosystem in the Bay Islands," says Dr. Matthias Hammer, founder of Biosphere Expeditions.

The Cayos Cochinos archipelago is a unique retreat for travelers looking to escape urban landscapes and crowded tourism centers. The islands have no roads, thus no cars or bikes. There is a hiking trail that connects residences and beaches on Cayo Grande. There is a lighthouse on the highest point of the island which can be hiked to through scenic jungles which are home to the only pink Boa Constrictors in the world. The only inhabitants of the islands are Garifuna fishing villages (Chachauate and East End), 9 private homes on Cayo Grande, and 6 homes on the 13 smaller keys. The islands are accessible by boat from La Ceiba or by sailboat charter departing from Utila or Roatan.