La Isla se encuentra ubicada a 17 kilómetros de Bahía Drake, llamada así en memoria del corsario Sir Francis Drake.Esta ha sido habitada por varios grupos humanos y fue utilizada como cementerio por diversas comunidades indígenas. Prueba de esto es la plantación del árbol sagrado de vaco en el centro de la isla. La sabia de este árbol es bebible, de color blanco que semeja leche de allí su nombre. Así mismo se han encontrado esferas de piedra, reliquias arqueológicas de la zona sur de Costa Rica.
En las aguas que rodean la isla se ha encontrado una gran diversidad de vida marina, siendo este el arrecife de coral mejor conservado del Pacífico costarricense. Es lugar de reunión y de paso de grandes cetáceos, que migran de los dos hemisferios para procrear en aguas cálidas. Entre otros se encuetran la ballena jorobada, la orca, la falsa orca, el rorcual de bryde, la ballena piloto, el cachalote y el cachalote pigmeo. También es posible observar los delfines residentes de la zona, el delfín nariz de botella y el delfín manchado del pacífico.
Es un gran lugar para practicar el snorkeling y el buceo. Como también para observación de cetáceos en los meses de octubre a enero.
Caño Island is located approximately 17 km. of the coast of Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula.In 1519, Juan de Castañeda named the island Caño Island. In 1976, the island was annexed to be a part of Corcovado National Park. It was declared a biological reserve in 1978.
Caño Island has been inhabited by varios groups of human beings throughout time. Most importantly, it was used as a cemetary for Chiriquí communities from 1500-700 B.C.
In the center of the island lies a vaco (Brosimun utile) plantation. This area is thought to have been used for religious purposes by the Quepos and Cotos. Caño Island is also well know for its aecheological relics, especially its giant rock spheres and ceramics.
In the waters surrounding the island are five coral reefs. On these reefs, which vary in size from 8 hectares to 4.2 hectares, scientists have been able to identify 19 different species of coral and 60 species of molluks. The dominant species of coral is the Porites lobata, which is highly resistant to environmental fluctuations. Because of this, combined with the fact that it recuperates quickly and has very few animals that prey on it, the ecosystem of the waters surrounding Caño Island is one of the most healthy and best preserved in the Costa Rican Pacific.
Another item of interest concerning Caño Island is a meeting ground for many large sea mammals that migrate from both hemispheres in order to procreate in warm waters.
Among those visiting are orcas, false orcas, Bryde's whale, pilot whales, sperm whale, humpback whales, and the pygmy sperm whale.
Dolphins are also know to reside around the Island. The species of dolphins observed are the common dolphin, bottle-nose dolphin, and the pacific spotted dolphin. Many dolphin and whale watching tours are offered from the Osa Peninsula. While they are great experiences, it is recommended that you observe international regulations for these activities, in order to make sure that you do not adversely affect the behavior of these marvelous visitors.
