Navassa Island

Navassa Island is an uninhabited island in the Caribbean that is administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior of the United States of America as a National Wildlife Refuge. The island is also claimed by Haiti. It lies about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica.

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Culture and History

Strategically located at 18 deg 25' N, 75 deg 02' W, 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the island has a land area of 5.2 sq km consisting is mostly exposed coral and limestone rock. It has a flat to undulating raised plateau with an unnamed location on southwest side, at 77 m high being the highest point. It is ringed by vertical white cliffs that are typically 9 to 15 m high and has a 8 km coastline. The island has marine, tropical climate and has enough grassland to support goat herds as well as dense stands of fig-like trees and scattered cactus.

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History

This uninhabited island was claimed by the U.S. in 1857 for its guano, and mining took place between 1865 and 1898. A 46-meter-tall lighthouse was built in 1917, on the southern side of the island. The Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light in September 1996. After the lighthouse was shut down administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge.

The island is considered an unincorporated territory of the US that is administered from Washington, DC, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. There has also been a private claim advanced against the island.

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Travel to Navassa Island, visa requirements

Access to Navassa is hazardous and visitors need permission from the Fish and Wildlife Office before entering the territory.

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Flights to Navassa Island, airtickets

There is no airstrip on the island.

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By boat

There are no harbors and an offshore anchorage is the only option.

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Get around

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Shopping, Navassa Island souvenirs

There is no economic activity on Navassa Island.

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Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Although the island is uninhabited, transient Haitian fishermen and others have been known to camp on the island.

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Stay safe

The laws of the U.S. apply.

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Stay healthy

Don't drink the water!