A French island located in the Pacific about 700 miles southwest of Acapulco. What to Expect Clipperton is a circular coral atoll of 2 square miles, completely enclosing its lagoon.
Temperatures are tropical and the vegetation includes scrub, wild tobacco, and some coconut groves.
The only known structures on the island are the ruins of a 19th century lighthouse and a tuna fishing station. 115 species of fish have been identified in the vicinity of the island. Accessibility Other than the 700-mile boat voyage and the lack of a harbor, be sure to avoid crashing into the surrounding coral reefs. The island is named after the English mutineer and pirate John Clipperton, who made it his hideout in 1705. The French claimed Clipperton in 1855, but Mexican forces invaded in 1897 and stationed troops there until 1917.