By Ashley Gibbins on Sunday, 21 August 2016
Category: South America

Chile : Robinson Crusoe Island

Robinson Crusoe Island is the main island of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, which also consists of Santa Clara and Alejandro Selkirk (also called Isla Más Afuera).

The three main islands are designated a National Park and a Biosphere Reserve by the Unesco.

Images : www.experiencerobinson.com

When first discovered by Spanish navigator Juan Fernández in 1574, it became a place of refuge for corsairs and pirates, who would use the island to stock up on supplies.

It was also the place where Scotch navigator Alexander Selkirk was stranded for four years and four months beginning in October 1704. His story inspired the Daniel Defoe novel Robinson Crusoe.

The island's single town, San Juan Bautista, has 500 inhabitants and is on the road to recovery after the devastating tsunami that hit in 2010.

The island is a place for trekking, land and submarine photography, snorkeling, and diving in one of the waters with best visibility in Chile (over 20 meters), with abundant marine life.

There are no trails for vehicles, so everything must be done on foot or horseback riding.

The facts

Useful links

www.experiencerobinson.com