Cayo Remanso

The island covers a total surface area of approximately 13.25 hectares, which is equivalent to 132,500 square meters, and features a coastal perimeter that extends across 2.9 kilometers in length. Geographically, Cayo Remanso has an elongated shape stretching from north to south, though its outline is quite irregular because it divides into two distinct points at its highest section. Most of its terrain is covered by a very green and dense vegetation, composed mainly of mangroves that occupy nearly the entire interior of the island. Along the shores, visitors can find white sand beaches and flat areas that completely flood during high tide. Thanks to its particular shape, the island serves as a natural barrier that slows down strong waves, creating small internal lagoons of calm waters.

The water surrounding Cayo Remanso shifts in color depending on the depth and the type of seabed, showcasing a spectrum of tones that range from light green to dark blue. Directly adjacent to the shores are very shallow turquoise areas where protective coral reef platforms actively grow. Conversely, a bit farther away from the coastline, the water turns into a very dark marine blue due to the presence of deep channels. On the right side of the island, a notable deep and dark natural pit or pool stands out, surrounded by corals, which highlights and demonstrates the rich marine life that thrives in this specific zone.

Within the Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Cayo Remanso occupies a very important geographical position surrounded by other well-known islands in the northwestern zone of the archipelago. This cay is situated just to the right of Cayo Brujusqui (also known as Felipe) and slightly below the long Cayo Carenero. Additionally, towards the north, it borders the group of islands known as Los Canquises, while its southern side is faced by Cayo Yonqui and Cayo Selesquí. By being situated right in the middle of all these features, Cayo Remanso remains closely connected to them through various water channels and shallow lagoons.

It is located 19 kilometers southwest of Gran Roque Island, the primary hub where all local services and the airport are situated. It is believed that its Spanish name, "Remanso" (meaning backwater or calm water), originates from the tranquility of its marine waters, while its alternative name, "Lanquí," stems from a corruption or mispronunciation of the English phrase "Land Key." Remanso is an island with no permanent human population located in the northwestern area of the archipelago and north of the Gran Ensenada de Los Roques, an expansive body of water also known as Bajo de los Corrales.

Geographically, the cay is situated 2.5 kilometers south of Los Canquises, 0.36 kilometers southeast of Cayo Carenero, and 0.24 kilometers east of Cayo Felipe^[5] (also referred to as Brujusquí). Furthermore, it lies 1.62 kilometers north of Mosquitoquí and 1.64 kilometers west of Yonquí. The entire island is a protected territory integrated into the Los Roques National Park, and since 1991, Cayo Remanso has been classified as a sector within the Managed Natural Environment Zone (ANM). Under this specific environmental protection framework, regulated low-impact activities are permitted, including taking scenic boat tours, capturing landscape photography, and conducting authorized aerial overflights.

Due to its inclusion within the heavily protected boundaries of the Los Roques Archipelago National Park,^[6] all activities on Cayo Remanso are regulated to balance environmental conservation with sustainable recreation. Visitors traveling to this area are legally permitted to engage in low-impact activities, such as taking scenic boat tours around the keys, capturing environmental photographs, and conducting authorized aerial overflights to appreciate the island's landscape from above. These strict regulations ensure that the delicate local ecosystem remains preserved from the damaging impacts of mass tourism and permanent human settlement.