Cayo Cangrejo is a small but very picturesque island that is located within the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park, off the coast of Providencia Island, in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, within the Caribbean region of the Republic of Colombia. As this amazing islet is surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters and coral reefs, it is a haven for marine life and a popular spot for visitors looking to experience the untouched beauty of the Caribbean.
The island is named “Cayo Cangrejo” or as the translation would be “Crab Cay” due to the large original population of crabs inhabiting the island, and even though the numbers have diminished with time, the name remains a testament to the original residents of the cay. The island itself has been shaped throughout thousands of years of volcanic outpouring and coral growth, building a tightly packed, rocky outcropping cloaked in vegetation, due to its geologic origins, the island’s base is volcanic rock and fossilized coral, offering a fascinating dichotomy between the lush sea life beneath and the greenery above.
While its age cannot be specifically determined, Cayo Cangrejo is considered to be thousands of years old and has been shaped by ocean currents and the progressive accumulation of coral reefs. It was first recorded by Spanish mariners who wrote about it when they traveled there in the 16th century. Still, long before they sailed there, the island was likely well-known to Raizal islanders and early Caribbean colonizers. Despite its long history, no permanent human habitation has ever been established on the cay, and it remains unpopulated even today.
Cayo Cangrejo is accessible to tourists, and it is one of the most visited places for travelers to Providencia. The best time to go to the island is between December and April when it is dry season and the seas are calm, with the best snorkeling visibility. The island can be reached by boat from Providencia, and local tours offer quick trips across the shallow waters, once on the cay, visitors can ascend to the top for a bird’s-eye perspective of the surrounding sea, snorkel the coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, or simply sit on the warm rocks and absorb the scenery.
Overall, Cayo Cangrejo remains one of the Colombian Caribbean‘s most spectacular natural spots, offering access to a pristine world of the sea, and its virgin charm and ecological significance render it irreplaceable for nature lovers and adventurers looking to share in the beauty of Colombia’s sea pearls.
