Serranilla Bank

Serranilla Bank is a largely submerged reef and atoll system in the western Caribbean Sea located at approximately 15.85°N, 79.86°W. It consists of shallow reefs and a small number of low sandy cays and is notable for its remote, low-lying character.

The bank has no permanent civilian population and supports limited vegetation on occasional exposed sand cays; it is primarily of interest for maritime navigation and ecological reasons. Human presence has been intermittent and logistical access is difficult because of isolation and shallow surrounding reefs.

The feature is administered by Colombia as part of its Caribbean territorial units, and sovereignty has been disputed historically by other regional states. The bank’s remoteness and shallow waters make it hazardous to shipping and logistically challenging to visit.

Geographically Serranilla Bank lies in the western Caribbean Sea, well offshore from the Central American coastline and isolated from major inhabited islands or ports.

• Physical character: Mostly submerged coral banks and low cays with limited land area, making navigation hazardous and natural features largely uninhabited.
• Sovereignty and administration: Administered by Colombia as part of its outer Caribbean territories, though the feature has been subject to competing claims by other states in the region.