World Heritage site since 2016

The archipelago comprises a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean off Colima, more than 900 kilometers west of Manzanillo.

Its name is in honor of the Count of Revillagigedo, a member of a prestigious family from colonial times. 

In 1868 by decree of the government of Colima, the construction of a prison was established and in 1994 they were declared a Protected Natural Area due to its biological richness and geological importance. 

In 2008 the archipelago was declared a Biosphere Reserve and in 2016 UNESCO placed it on the list of Natural Heritage of Humanity as an island arch, which on the American continent on the Pacific Ocean side, begins on the Galapagos Islands, passing by Malpelo in Colombia and Cocos Island in Costa Rica.

This archipelago is formed by the emerged peaks of volcanoes of an underwater mountain range and has a variety of unique flora and fauna, some of them endemic. The surrounding waters support a notable concentration of large pelagic species. 

The four islands that make up the Revillagigedo Archipelago are:

La Isla Socorro

Formerly known as Santo Tomás Island. It is of volcanic origin with a height that reaches 1,130 meters above sea level. Its most recent eruption was in 1993. 

There is no evidence of human presence before it was discovered by the Spanish commanded by Hernando de Grijalva in 1533. However, there was no colonization and it was not until 1957 that a naval station was built.

La Isla Clarión

Formerly known as Santa Rosa Island. It is the second largest island in the archipelago with an area of 19.80 square kilometers. 

It has three prominent peaks, of which the highest is Monte Gallegos with 335 masl, the next is Pico de la Tienda with 292 masl and the lowest is Monte de la Marina with 280 masl; from the tops of these promontories you can see the passing of the whales during the winter, a unique spectacle. 

It is surrounded by cliffs that vary in size from 24 to 183 meters. high and has large rocks that reach up to 90 meters high and some of them resemble castles. A small garrison of sailors is established here. 

La Isla San Benedicto

Formerly known as Isla Anublada. It has an area of 10 square kilometers and two prominent peaks, of which the highest is the Bárcena with a height of 310 meters above sea level; Its last eruption was recorded in 1952 when the entire island was covered in ash and pumice, reaching a layer of almost three meters, which temporarily eliminated all existing flora and fauna. 

Over time, birds and some crabs returned to the island, giving rise to endemic flora and fauna. This is a popular diving destination, especially in an area called “La Caldera”, where you can find giant dolphins, sharks, and even humpback whales, among many other species.

Isla Roca Partida

It is the smallest and most inhospitable of the group of islands, in fact it is more like an islet with a maximum height of 35 meters above sea level. It is the top of an underwater stratovolcano. It does not have any type of permanent flora and fauna.