Stop Illegal Coastal Development above Cueva las Golondrinas in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Bahia de Aguadilla on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast is home to vibrant coral reefs, locally endangered brown pelican habitat, popular local beaches, incredible diving and snorkeling sites, world class surf, and deep historic and cultural importance. 

Unfortunately, illegal development has been a persistent threat to the sensitive coastline of Bahia de Aguadilla. Cueva las Golondrinas, an iconic natural feature in the bay, adjacent to the popular Playa Crash Boat, and one of the few remaining intact brown pelican nesting sites in Puerto Rico, was targeted by such interests. Despite protections in place for the location, a private landowner constructed horse stables, a house, and roads directly above Cueva de Golondrinas. Local coastal forest was completely destroyed and sedimentation associated with construction covered local reefs and impacted ocean water quality. The threat to Cueva de Golondrinas not only included this development but also the precedent it could set for the remaining naturally intact coastal stretches that remain in Bahia de Aguadilla.

Surfrider, Salva Aguadila, Campimento Pelicano, and the University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla activated to stop the further construction along the cliff above Cueva de Golondrinas. The coalition filed a complaint with Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. A court order to remove the structures was issued in February, 2023. The order also demands the restoration of degraded and destroyed habitat caused by the development. The structures are being demolished and we look forward to restoring the natural ecosystems that existed there. 

Throughout the campaign, Surfrider and its coalition partners worked to raise awareness about the issue and build public support and stewardship for coastal and marine resources in Aguadilla Bay. Surfrider led mangrove restoration events, beach and underwater cleanups, the installation of signage, as well as a population and species  bird, corals, fish and invertebrate population (quantity and species) studies, and water quality studies.

Surfrider’s ultimate goal is to establish a marine reserve in Bahia de Aguadilla.