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You are here: Home / Dominican Republic / North Coast / Cayos Siete Hermanos

Cayos Siete Hermanos

  • About Cayos Siete Hermanos
  • The Birds
  • How to Get There

Cayos Siete Hermanos is a series of off-shore islands that form a wildlife refuge. The islands of Torurú, Monte Chico and Terrero form the closest group to the mainland, while Monte Grande, Ratas, Muerto and Arenas make up the more distant, westward group. For birdwatchers, the cays are known for their easily accessed nesting seabirds. Brown Noddy, Sooty Tern and Bridled Tern nest in the largest numbers, but other species are also present and may be readily seen. Shorebirds can be especially numerous, but one should also look for a distinct subspecies of the Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia chlora) which has been described as endemic to the Cayos Siete Hermanos.

The Cayos Siete Hermanos are reached via boat with a local guide. The best sites for birdwatching are found at Cayos Arenas, Terrero, and Monte Chico. During the months of May through August, the islands are home to nesting seabirds with the most significant seabird colonies reported from Monte Chico and Ratas islands. In addition to the islands, take the time to look for Clapper Rails in the mangroves near the dock.

Clapper Rail, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Brown Noddy, Sooty Tern, Bridled Tern, Roseate Tern, Sandwich Tern, Yellow Warbler

Monte Cristi can be reached by taking Ave. John F. Kennedy in Santo Domingo to the Autopista Duarte and heading north. After reaching Santiago, follow the highway signs to Monte Cristi on the Carretera Duarte. Once in Monte Cristi, you will be on Calle Duarte. Continue straight ahead, passing a prominent intersection. Just after passing a prominant park on your left turn right at a traffic light onto Avenida San Fernando. In less than 3 km (1.9 miles) you will cross through some salt pans, over a low bridge, and past a prominent beach-side hotel. Just past the hotel, and on the right, is the Club Nautico and the embarcadero. Make your reservations here for boat trips. Ask for Giovanni Mendez (809-478-2468). You may also continue another 2 km (1.2 miles) to the national park headquarters at Morro Beach.

Cayos Siete Hermanos (Map by Dana Gardner)
Cayos Siete Hermanos (Map by Dana Gardner)

Cayos Siete Hermanos

Dominican Republic Sites

Central Mountain Range
Constanza and Valle Nuevo
Ebano Verde Reserve
Hatillo
Jarabacoa with Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez National Parks
La Joya de San Francisco
Loma Quita Espuela
Pico Diego de Ocampo, Santiago
Southeast
Bávaro
Cumayasa
Del Este National Park
Del Este National Park: Boca de Yuma
Del Este National Park: Guaraguao
Del Este National Park: Padre Nuestro Trail
Del Este National Park: Saona Island
Ecological Foundation Trail, Punta Cana
Limón Lagoon
Los Haitises National Park
Los Haitises National Park: Caño Hondo
Los Haitises National Park: Los Limones
Monte Plata
Southwest
Aguacate and Zapotén
Cabo Rojo and Pedernales
Cabral Lagoon
Cachote, Eastern Bahoruco
Jimaní
Lake Enriquillo
Loma Charco Azul
Oviedo Lagoon, Jaragua National Park
Puerto Alejandro and Tortuguero
Rabo de Gato and Puerto Escondido
Sierra de Bahoruco National Park
Los Arroyos, Sierra de Bahoruco National Park
North Coast
Cayos Siete Hermanos
El Limón, Samaná
Estero Hondo
Loma Guaconejo
Loma Isabel de Torres, Puerto Plata
Monte Cristi and Saladilla
Nalga de Maco National Park, Río Limpio
Samaná
Around Santo Domingo
Las Salinas de Baní
Mirador del Norte Park
National Botanical Garden
Ozama Wetlands

Partners in the Dominican Republic

  • Grupo Acción Ecológica
  • La Sociedad Ornitológica de la Hispaniola (SOH)
  • National Aviary

With special thanks to our partners at the Ruta Barrancoli

Ruta Barrancoli logo

Dominican Republic Tour Operators

  • Explora Ecotour
  • Miguel A. Landestoy T., Independent Guide
  • Tody Tours
  • Wildside Nature Tours

Bird Checklists

Click here to download a pamphlet-sized year-round checklist for Dominican Republic.

Recommended Field Guides

Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti by Steven Latta, Christopher Rimmer, Allan Keith, James Wiley, Herbert A. Raffaele, Kent McFarland, and Eladio Fernandez

Aves de la República Dominicana y Haití by Steven Latta, Christopher Rimmer, Allan Keith, James Wiley, Herbert A. Raffaele, Kent McFarland, and Eladio Fernandez

Ruta Barrancolí: A Bird-finding Guide to the Dominican Republic by Steven C. Latta and Kate J. Wallace

Birds of the West Indies by Herbert Raffaele, James Wiley, Orlando Garrido, Allan Keith, and Janis Raffaele

Want to know how you can be involved?

Do you know of a place that should be part of the Caribbean Birding Trail? Are you the owner of a lodge or hotel and want to attract eco-tourists? Are you a guide interested in the birdwatching market? Then, get involved with our project!

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