Gorriti IslandAbout Gorriti Island
Gorriti Island is a small island off the coast of Punta del Este in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is a local recreational destination known for its beaches, coastal scenery and historic shoreline fortifications.
The island’s principal attractions are its beaches and sheltered coves suitable for swimming and snorkeling, and a network of paths linking viewpoints and ruins. Day-trippers typically visit on short boat services from Punta del Este.
Historically the island was fortified and used for coastal defence in various periods; remnants of those installations remain visible along the shore. The island later became a recreational destination for visitors from the resort town on the nearby mainland.
Gorriti Island lies a short distance offshore from Punta del Este in Maldonado Department, positioned at the mouth of the Río de la Plata along Uruguay’s southern Atlantic coast.
- Access: Reached by short boat trips from Punta del Este; visitor services on the nearby mainland operate frequent summer excursions.
What to See#
- Beaches: Sandy and rocky beaches around the island used for swimming and sunbathing, popular during the southern summer season.
- Fortifications: Remains of historic coastal fortifications and military installations dating to colonial and 19th-century periods, visible around the shoreline.
Best Time to Visit Gorriti Island
Southern hemisphere summer is peak season; spring and autumn are quieter with comfortable temperatures.
Weather & Climate near Gorriti Island
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1012 mm/year), wettest in September, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 18° - 26° | 22° | 74 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 18° - 25° | 22° | 84 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 17° - 24° | 20° | 79 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 14° - 21° | 18° | 84 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 11° - 18° | 15° | 88 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 90 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 8° - 14° | 11° | 90 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 8° - 15° | 12° | 90 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 9° - 16° | 13° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 91 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 14° - 22° | 18° | 83 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 16° - 24° | 20° | 67 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Gorriti Island
Ferries and water taxis run from the harbor at Punta del Este; the crossing is short (usually under 15 minutes). Boats operate frequently in summer (December-February) and less often in the shoulder seasons.
Tips for Visiting Gorriti Island
- Catch the short boat from Punta del Este harbor - schedules are frequent in summer.
- Bring sunscreen and water; there are limited services on the island outside the main season.
- Explore the old military ruins and the small lighthouse at the island's tip for quiet panoramas.