Hog Islands Cayos Cochinos

A group of small, privately owned islands and cays, 17km/10mi off the coast near La Ceiba that were once inhabited by Maya, but got their name from the conquistador Cortés, who tried to farm them, the Cayos Cochinos and the black coral reefs that surround them remain practically untouched due to the difficult access to the area.

There is good snorkeling, diving, hiking and bird-watching around the islands, Cayos Cochinos has been declared a Biological Reserve by the Honduran Government and the Smithsonian Institute has made a 100 year commitment to help manage the park and conduct a scientific study of the reef and its sustainable development. The park is patrolled by park rangers well equipped with boats and communication and based on the island of Cochino Pequeño.