Diamond Cay National Park: A Birdwatcher's Paradise

Diamond Cay National Park, established in 1991, is a tiny 1.25-acre island located just off the southern shore of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. This small island is a significant bird sanctuary, providing a protected nesting site for various seabird species, including terns, boobies, and pelicans. The island's landscape features a contrast between bare, rocky cliffs on its windward side and sandy beaches on the leeward side. An extensive reef system surrounds the cay, connecting the channels of Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, and Sandy Spit, making it a popular spot for diving and snorkeling. The proposed protected area includes Diamond Cay, Green Cay, Sandy Spit, and Sandy Cay. Sandy Spit is the only limestone island among this group of volcanic cays. Diamond Cay is more than just a sanctuary for birds; it's also part of a larger conservation effort to protect endangered species like leatherback turtles that nest on nearby Sandy Cay and two lizard species on Sandy Spit. Visitors can explore the island via hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the rocky cliffs and nesting seabirds. The Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi formed by waves crashing against the rocks, is a short walk to the north of the park.