Caribbean Birding Trail

Know the Caribbean, Bird by Bird

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      • Anguilla
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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

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

Bávaro

Cumayasa

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: Caño Hondo

Los Haitises National Park: Los Limones

Monte Plata

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

Los Arroyos, Sierra de Bahoruco National Park

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

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

  • Cúa Birding
  • 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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