San Benedicto Island

San Benedicto Island is an uninhabited volcanic island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Municipality of Revillagigedo, state of Colima), in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The island is volcanic in origin and is part of a remote group of islands noted for marine biodiversity.

San Benedicto is visited primarily for marine wildlife observation and diving; the surrounding waters support large pelagic species and rich reef communities that attract liveaboard expeditions. The island experienced a major volcanic eruption in the mid-20th century that significantly affected its surface features and seabird populations.

The Revillagigedo islands are a protected area and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and access to San Benedicto is controlled by Mexican authorities to protect the natural environment. There are no permanent settlements on the island.

San Benedicto lies in the eastern Pacific as part of the Revillagigedo chain, several hundred kilometres southwest of the Mexican mainland, and is reached only by long-distance boat or expedition vessels with the necessary permits.

• World Heritage and permit requirements: Part of the Revillagigedo Archipelago and included in Mexico's protected marine areas and the archipelago's UNESCO World Heritage designation, so visits are regulated and usually occur via permitted liveaboard expeditions.