Cayos Siete Hermanos Boat Trip

A boat trip to the Cayos Siete Hermanos is the more adventurous alternative to Cayo Arena: seven uninhabited cays of coral sand off the north-west tip of the country, protected as a wildlife refuge, with no huts, no vendors and very few other boats. You go for the snorkeling, the birds and the feeling of being a long way from anywhere.

There is no regular scheduled tour that we could verify, so plan on a private charter. Ask fishermen and boat captains on Playa Juan de Bolaños, the small pier known as the Muellecito, or at your hotel, ideally the day before. Agree on the price, the route, how many cays you will visit and how long you will stay, and check for life jackets, shade and enough fuel. Prices depend on the boat and the group size; we could not confirm a current rate, so get a couple of quotes.

The cays sit about 10 km north-west of the Bay of Montecristi, a longer open-water ride than the trip to Isla Cabra. Mornings are usually calmer; afternoon returns into the trade wind can be rough and wet. The Ministry of Tourism notes that dive sites around the cays are only about 3 meters deep and can be dived on windy days, unlike other Montecristi sites, which makes them suitable for beginners and good backup on breezy days.

What you will see: white sand beaches with cacti, iguanas and crabs; sea grass beds, sandy bottoms and rock walls underwater; and seabirds. The cays are the country's main nesting site for boobies from late May to early September. Keep well back from nesting birds and follow your captain's guidance on where you can land.

Bring everything: water, food, sun protection, snorkel gear if the boat does not have it, motion-sickness tablets if you need them, and a bag for your trash. There is no shade on the cays.

Best for: snorkelers, divers, birders and small groups who can split a charter. Not for: anyone prone to seasickness, or travelers who want food and drinks on the beach (choose the Cayo Arena boat trip instead). Read the Cayos Siete Hermanos beach page, and stay at the El Morro Eco Adventure Hotel or the Wyndham Garden El Morro.