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Nature reserve · St. George's, St. George's
Cooper's Island Nature Reserve
A nature reserve in the southeast of St. David's, with trails, sandy coves, an observation tower and Clearwater Beach right at the entrance.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cooper's Island Nature Reserve
Cooper's Island was a separate island until the 1940s, when it was joined to St. David's by landfills made during construction of the American air base, now the airport. The area was closed to the public until 1995 and later became a nature reserve, undergoing restoration since 2009.
Trails cross native vegetation, with cedars, palmettos and Bermuda olivewood, and lead to small coves of pale sand facing the open sea and Castle Harbour. An old radar tower now serves as a lookout for bird and sea watching.
At the reserve entrance are Clearwater Beach and Turtle Beach, public shallow-water beaches with picnic areas and restrooms, popular with island families. The reserve is explored on foot only.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From two hours to half a day, including beach time.
Best time
May to October for swimming; year-round for trails and birdwatching. On summer weekends the entrance beaches fill up.
How to get there
It is at the southeastern tip of St. David's, near the airport. Some local St. David's bus trips go to Clearwater Beach; you can also reach it by taxi or scooter. Inside the reserve, travel is on foot only.
Tip
Bring water and snacks: there are no services inside the reserve, only at the entrance beaches.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cooper's Island Nature Reserve
What to do on Cooper’s Island?
Walk the trails, swim in small coves, climb the old observation tower and spend the day at Clearwater Beach at the entrance.
Is Clearwater Beach good for children?
Yes. The water is usually shallow and calm, and there are picnic areas and restrooms.
Can you drive into Cooper’s Island?
No. Vehicles stay at the entrance; the reserve is explored on foot.