dˈuː tʊ ɪts stɹətˈiːdʒɪk loʊkˈeɪʃən æt ðɪ ˈɛntɹəns ʌv sˌæn hwˈɑːn bˈeɪ, ˈaɪlə də kˈæbɹəz pɹəvˈaɪdᵻd ɐ stɹətˈiːdʒɪk pˈɔɪnt fɚɹən ɪfˈɛktɪv kɹˈɔsfaɪɚ wɪð fˈɔːɹt sˌæn fᵻlˈiːpeɪ dˈɛl mˈɔːɹoʊ tə pɹɪvˈɛnt ˈɪŋkʌmˌɪŋ ʃˈɪps fɹʌm ˈɛntɚɹɪŋ.
Due to its strategic location at the entrance of San Juan Bay, Isla de Cabras provided a strategic point for an effective crossfire with Fort San Felipe del Morro to prevent incoming ships from entering.