Humpback whales come to the island and the shores of Panama's Pacific coast during the months of June or July through October to give birth and teach their calves to swim in the warm waters.

The island also serves as a place where five species of sea turtles come to lay eggs during the months of April and September.

During World War II, the United States Army used the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge as a bombing range.

To clear the area, two thousand-pound bombs stuck in the surrounding coral reef were detonated in the 1990s.

The Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge was declared protected on June 15, 1981.