island has a rocky guano-washed hill on the southern side, and a smaller ridge on the north side, separated by a amphitheater-shaped depression between them. The island is composed of barren, infertile sandstone, with little vegetation. A few succulent plants, such as Opuntia spp. and Dudleya spp. are present on the southern hill, although the soil tends to slough off the slopes. In the basin, straddling both peaks, herbaceous and woody plants occur in the more soil-rich depression. Coronado Centro (Central Coronado or Middle Island) is located at and covers . This island forms a steep-hill with a peninsula-like structure on the northeast side, which creates a protected cove known as Moonlight Cove. This island is extensively weathered and beaten, with unstable material giving way in handful to slope-sized masses. The unstable and barren nature of this island is likely a result of the heavy use by breeding and roosting sea birds combined with unstable substrates. The only abundant plant community occurs on the southwest, windward side of the island. Coronado Sur (South Coronado or South Island) is located at , and covers . It is long and wide. It has the only bay of the islands, called Puerto Cueva Cove, located one quarter the way down on the east side. The island has two main peaks, Middle Peak, located about one-third the way down the island with an elevation of about , and South Peak, approximately high. On the west side there is a cove known as Seal Cove. There are roughly a half dozen structures above Puerto Cueva, and two navigational lights at the northern and southern ends of the island. History Indigenous peoples and Spanish discovery The islands have been occupied by humans for over 1,000 years. As the islands lack fresh water, permanent settlements would have not been feasible in the past. However, the islands were frequently visited by the indigenous peoples, such as the Kumeyaay, who likely set up small and temporary encampments. Artifacts have been collected from both islands. North Island has artifacts that include teshoa flakes, and a midden on the saddle of the island. A small cave, Pirate's Cave, was reported to have had remains of ceramics. On South Island, numerous middens exist, including one on the site of the Coronado Islands Yacht Club hotel. The artifacts may be from the La Jolla complex of peoples. Anthropologist J.P Harrington recorded the Luiseño