Going to Isla Coiba for kayaking

We left our big back packs at the hostel this morning only having what we needed for the next couple of days in a couple of dry bags. Adam - the guy we spoke to the other day - turned out to be the guy going with us. He told us we were waiting for three other guys to join us so we had breakfast at the restaurant next door once we had gotten the right size snorkelling equipment.

The other guys arrived and had their stuff loaded on the boat and we headed for Isla Coiba and the ranger station - exactly the same way as yesterday. 1½ hours later and we were on the beach where we were going to camp, unloading everything from our boat and getting back in the boat to return to the ranger station and pick up the kayaks.

At the ranger station we got the kayaks ready and Adam looking a bit concerned. The "chief" at the ranger station wouldn't allow us to camp at the usual site so while Adam was busy doing phone calls we snorkelled around the tiny island of the coast of the ranger station and saw more beautiful underwater action including a small turtle. This area is so amazing.

We came back to the beach and waited a bit more and suddenly matters were fixed - we could now stay on the beach as planned a bit away from the ranger station. We set off in the kayaks and did a 30 minute trip to our beach, pulled our kayaks to the high tide mark on the beach, Adam introduced us to the area and then we set up tents and swam to a small reef just off the coast and saw more - yes, fish, turtles and a single shark. Back to the beach, wash the salt water off in the stream coming from the jungle while admiring the impressive crocodile footprints in the sand. Yes, there was at least one big reptile living "somewhere in there" so positively no night swimming in the ocean.

Adam cooked dinner for us, and we sat on the beach enjoying the sunset and the stars coming out before heading to the tent to sleep. A bit tired after a long day of kayaking, snorkelling and being outdoors. But what a day.

Heading for Isla Coiba - again

Kayak-testing

Back on the water

The view from the office this morning

Beach ahead

Campsite done

Enjoying the evening on the beach