This tour brings you to the clear, blue waters of the Caño Island Biological Reserve. From Drake Bay, it is about 12 miles and a 45 minute boat ride.
Caño Island consists of approximately 200 hectares (500 acres). Pre-Columbian people crossed the open ocean in small row boats to make a religious site and burial ground here. Pottery dating from 200-800 A.D. has been found, although large-scale archaeological studies have not been carried out. It may have been a trading post during the Middle Ages. It is also rumored that Sir Francis Drake (or Pirate Drake if you are not English) left some of his gold treasure here.
Another interesting fact about Caño Island is that it gets more lightning strikes than any other place in the world and there is a burn spot where lightning has hit so many times.
Today the island is an oasis of calm and beauty and well worth your visit as a world-class diving and snorkeling location. Visibility is good to excellent depending on weather and tides. Nineteen species of coral call Caño Island home, including sea fans and brain and head corals. You can also see manta rays, white and black tipped sharks, sea turtles, devil rays, as well as large schools of jackfish, parrotfish, snappers, damsels, eels, barracuda, puffers, surgeonfish, tangs, needlefish, sponges, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, octopus, starfish, and various crustaceans. Dolphins and whales can be seen on the boat ride to and from the island.
You will snorkel at two different spots around the island with your guide and then travel to town for lunch at a local restaurant.
There are limited numbers of tickets sold per day so advance reservations are highly recommended. Please check with us before reserving because if there is no space and you pay, you will be charged a service fee of $20 per person due to charges from the credit card company.
Please bring sandals or water shoes for the beach landings, hiking or tennis shoes for walking on the trails, shorts, t-shirt, sunblock, water bottle (NO single use plastic), and a picture of your passport.
What is included in this tour
- Boat transportation to Caño Island
- Professional guide
- Snorkeling gear
- Lunch and snacks
- Park entrance fees
