Ïle à Vache is an island in Southern Haiti, renown for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Understand

Overlooking the sea on Ïle à Vache

Remote and hard-to-get-to even in the best of times, Ïle à Vache hasn't suffered from the social and environmental degradation that has long plagued mainland Haiti. Recognizing its tourism potential, in the early 2010s the Haitian government announced plans to develop the island into an international resort destination. These plans never materialized, and Ïle à Vache remains largely undisturbed, a tranquil island paradise a world apart from the restless shores of the mainland.

Get in

Once upon a time, the Haitian airline Tortug' Air (now defunct) offered flights from Les Cayes. These are long since discontinued, and now the only option is to take a boat from Les Cayes. At the port of Les Cayes, look for wooden fishing boats heading to Madame Bernard, the largest town on the island. Alternatively, if you're willing to splurge, you may be able to hire a private yacht to take you to the island.

See and do

• Beaches. Gorgeous beaches.

Sleep

A small lake on Ïle à Vache

• 1 Abaka Bay and Resort, ☏ +509 3683-6253, info@abakabay.com. Stunning location, yet overpriced. US$220-400/night. 
• 2 Port Morgan, ☏ +509 3923-0000. Attentive service at a reasonable price. 

Go next

• Les Cayes
• Port-Salut