Located nearly 140 km north of the Yucatán coast, it is a protected natural area of great importance as it forms the largest coral structure in the Gulf of Mexico.

It consists of numerous coral bank islets that form a crescent shape. Its beaches have extraordinary beauty with white sand and varying shades of turquoise and emerald waters. The sandy beaches and low but dense vegetation create a paradise for bird nesting. In fact, they are the habitat for huge colonies of masked boobies and sooty terns.

The most prominent islets of this reef are: Isla Pérez, the largest in the group, spanning 11 hectares, featuring a lighthouse and serving as the home for thousands of birds. It has been reported to have over 100,000 nests of sooty terns and nearly 4,000 nests of masked boobies, making it the largest colony on the continent. Isla Muertos has the largest colony of masked boobies in Mexico. Isla Pájaros is another island where thousands of birds from at least nine species nest, including red-footed boobies, brown boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, royal terns, sandwich terns, and laughing gulls, among others. Isla Desaparecida gets its name because it "disappears" during high tides. Other smaller islands include Isla Desterrada, Isla Chica, and Isla Blanca. 

Additionally, the Alacranes Reef boasts high biological diversity, making it excellent for fishing.