Corn Islands

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The sun rises and illuminates Pearl Lagoon's shoreline. This creole community is one of the main ports in Caribbean Nicaragua.

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Overview

The Caribbean coast’s biggest tourist draw is actually 43 miles (70km) offshore, on a pair of enchanting islands with crystalline coves, horseshoe bays and underwater caves. Great Corn is larger and peopled by a Creole population that lives in colorful wooden houses, many of which are sprinkled along the main road around the island. And though tourism is the second-largest industry, behind lobster fishing, you won’t see mega-developments here.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Long Bay

Corn Islands

This stunner of a beach arcs from a pile-up of local fishing pangas and lobster traps to a wild, jungle-covered headland at its far end. If you’re looking…

Culture House

Corn Islands

The museum in this wooden building next to the stadium won't hold your attention very long with its pictures of old beauty queens, preserved lobsters and…

Tarpon Channel

Little Corn Island

One of the best places to see hammerhead sharks in the Caribbean, this excellent intermediate dive site off the eastern side of Little Corn is a long…

Lighthouse

Little Corn Island

Little Corn's lighthouse is actually a metal tower that doesn't emit any light these days, but it does offer fine panoramas of the island and is a dreamy…

Southwest Bay

Corn Islands

The most popular beach on Great Corn, Southwest Bay has calmer, more sheltered water than at most other beaches on the island, though the area is more…

Otto Beach

Little Corn Island

The island's most popular beach, Otto boasts multicolored waters perfect for swimming and a fun young crowd. Here you'll find the island's fanciest…

Quinn Hill

Corn Islands

This remote hillside is where Spanish artist Rafael Trénor has installed a cube (the lower half is buried to make it look like a pyramid) symbolizing one…