Isla Gorriti

Gorriti Island is a small island off the coast of Uruguay's Punta del Este. The island, together with Isla de Lobos, has been designated as a National Heritage Site, bringing thousands of visitors to its beaches each year. It is always on the top of the most beautiful islands in Uruguay. Southern right whales, southern elephant seals, and orcas chasing tunas, as well as South American sea lions and South American fur seals, breed in the surrounding waters both year-round and seasonally.

Boats leave every half hour or so from Punta del Este's yacht harbor for the 15-minute trip to this nearby island, which has excellent sandy beaches, a couple of restaurants, and the ruins of Bateras de Santa Ana, an 18th-century fortification (daily from December through Carnaval, weekends the rest of the year).

You can buy food, and beverages for a picnic on the beach under the shade of a tree. The views from Gorriti Island are very nice. There are lots of trees and some trails.

Location: Maldonado, Uruguay.