Located on Tierra Bomba Island, Fort San Fernando was conceived as a horseshoe-shaped military fortress facing the sea that controlled the entrance to the Bocachica Channel. It was taken by French forces in 1697 and English forces in 1741. It has two bastions called King's and Queen's bastions. The King's ship faces the sea and has thirteen cannons, a cistern, a storehouse and a sentry box. The Baluarte de la Reina, somewhat smaller, has eight cannons, and is also complete with a sentry box and a cistern. Opposite San Fernando, the Fort of San José features seven bomb-proof vaults and a structure with two batteries defended by fourteen embrasures and seven cannons.
The fort has a twenty-foot high wet moat with no covered walkway, nine bomb-proof vaults and a hornabeque.
The fortifications of Bocachica are part of what is considered the best-preserved and most complete system of fortifications in South America. Built during the colonial period to defend the important stronghold of Cartagena de Indias from pirate attacks and other assaults, the system was composed of the Forts of San Fernando and San José, as well as the batteries of San Rafael and Santa Bárbara. Of this latter structure, which once housed military quarters and a gunpowder store, only a small part of the building near the Bocachica pier remains.
- The complex is in a perfect state of preservation, including garitas and cisterns.
- Fortifications open to the public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
