An uninhabited atoll in the Gulf of Honduras, these remote islands remain at the centre of a territorial dispute between three nations.
At a glance
The Sapodilla Cayes form an uninhabited atoll situated in the Gulf of Honduras within Belize’s Toledo District. Though administered by Belize, the islands are claimed by both Guatemala and Honduras, making them a geopolitical flashpoint in Central America.
History
Honduras formally asserted sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes in its 1982 constitution. Guatemala contests Belize’s administration of the islands, arguing that the maritime boundary between the two nations should lie to the northwest of the cayes. The territorial status remains unresolved.
What you see
The cayes form a natural atoll system within the Gulf of Honduras. As an uninhabited area, they remain in their natural state without built structures or permanent settlement.
Cultural significance
The Sapodilla Cayes represent an important case study in maritime boundary disputes and territorial claims in Central America. The overlapping sovereignty claims by Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras reflect broader regional tensions regarding maritime delimitation in the Caribbean.
Key facts
- Location: Toledo District, Belize
- Coordinates: 16.146°N, 88.281°W
- Status: Uninhabited atoll
- Administration: Belize
- Contested claims: Guatemala and Honduras
Practical information & getting there
The Sapodilla Cayes are uninhabited and inaccessible to general visitors. Access is restricted due to their remote location in the Gulf of Honduras and ongoing territorial disputes.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Become a Cultural Heritage Online photographer
Share your photos of places: they stay published under your name as the author. The more they're seen, the more you get noticed — and soon a contest will reward the most appreciated photos.
Log in or sign up free to add a photoIs this page about you?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Tell us how you are connected to this place and we will take it from there.