Isla Ampon
We anchored at 08 04.589N 82 50.969W
40-50ft of water 10ft Tides
SUMMARY
Fuel - No
Cell Service - No
Wifi - No
Dingy Landing - Yes - Easy
Garbage - No
Potable Water - No
Showers - No
Laundry - No
Groceries- No
ATM - No
Water Taxi - No
Cell Service - No
Wifi - No
Dingy Landing - Yes - Easy
Garbage - No
Potable Water - No
Showers - No
Laundry - No
Groceries- No
ATM - No
Water Taxi - No
Islas Secas - Northern Anchorage
This was some of the clearest water we had seen on our whole trip. Visibility in the anchorage was 20-25ft or more. There are small coral heads just off the shore and a bunch of small reef fish to see. We even saw a turtle swim on by. At night the phosphorescence was off the hook. We constantly had fish fireworks going on underwater as different fish chased each other in the twinkly glow.
The real downside here was that whenever we would get in the water we would seem to get stung by really tiny jellyfish. We hoped it was just a passing thing but we were here a week and saw them until the end. The stings were painful and left red marks. We gave up trying to snorkel in the anchorage. It is probably better out in the more exposed dive sites but we were alone and that wasn’t a real option for us.
We took the dinghy and went to visit the Islas Secas Resort. We pulled the dinghy up on shore and started walking down the beach. It didn’t take long before someone came out to say hello. It was one of the managers and his name was Gilberto. They had just had their last customer of the season leave and while we couldn’t see everything he was happy to give us a quick tour of what he could. He explained that the resort is the completion of a dream by a previous owner. It is a small high-end getaway with 9 simple but beautiful villas. It is the perfect space for a group that wants to rent out their own private tropical island.
Gilberto noted that when the whole island has been rented out, the guests usually want privacy. At those times they would prefer not to have outside visitors. You can always try to raise them on VHF channel 24 to see what the current status is at the resort. You can also bring your dinghy around to the floating dock and see if you can find one of the workers. They would be able to find a manager for you and see if it could be visited. The resort is small but beautiful and totally worth checking out if it’s not booked up.
The resort is also a good resource for any emergency needs. They have staff on year round and constant access to the mainland.
We also took the dinghy to the small isthmus that lets you see over to the other side of the island. Unfortunately this is the beach where all the local trash seems to wash up. We did some beachcombing, gathered some shells, a bit of trash and headed on back. Hopefully as the resort kicks into gear the beach will get cleaned up properly.
The real downside here was that whenever we would get in the water we would seem to get stung by really tiny jellyfish. We hoped it was just a passing thing but we were here a week and saw them until the end. The stings were painful and left red marks. We gave up trying to snorkel in the anchorage. It is probably better out in the more exposed dive sites but we were alone and that wasn’t a real option for us.
We took the dinghy and went to visit the Islas Secas Resort. We pulled the dinghy up on shore and started walking down the beach. It didn’t take long before someone came out to say hello. It was one of the managers and his name was Gilberto. They had just had their last customer of the season leave and while we couldn’t see everything he was happy to give us a quick tour of what he could. He explained that the resort is the completion of a dream by a previous owner. It is a small high-end getaway with 9 simple but beautiful villas. It is the perfect space for a group that wants to rent out their own private tropical island.
Gilberto noted that when the whole island has been rented out, the guests usually want privacy. At those times they would prefer not to have outside visitors. You can always try to raise them on VHF channel 24 to see what the current status is at the resort. You can also bring your dinghy around to the floating dock and see if you can find one of the workers. They would be able to find a manager for you and see if it could be visited. The resort is small but beautiful and totally worth checking out if it’s not booked up.
The resort is also a good resource for any emergency needs. They have staff on year round and constant access to the mainland.
We also took the dinghy to the small isthmus that lets you see over to the other side of the island. Unfortunately this is the beach where all the local trash seems to wash up. We did some beachcombing, gathered some shells, a bit of trash and headed on back. Hopefully as the resort kicks into gear the beach will get cleaned up properly.
Anchoring
Approach
There are a few rocks and other assorted hazards here. Things seem pretty well charted.
To get the clearest approach we came down from the North to the East Side of Isla Cavada. This gave us a clear shot into the anchorage.
Anchor Depth – 20-60ft
Just accept the fact that the only real shelf here is at 40-45ft. Twice we tried to anchor at 30ft and our swing would put us dangerously close to the reef. If you venture very far from the anchor waypoints it is mostly a fairly quick slope from deep water to less than 10ft.
We also tried the anchorage in front of the resort. Our 85lb Mantus refused to set properly when we put it under load.
Finally we just went back to the suggested area and depth and all was good. Even so with our swing radius and the 10ft tides the water under the boat varied from 25 to 60ft!!
Water temp and Clarity
Water temp was 85 deg when we arrived at the end of May. Clarity was about 20-30ft in the anchorage.
There are a few rocks and other assorted hazards here. Things seem pretty well charted.
To get the clearest approach we came down from the North to the East Side of Isla Cavada. This gave us a clear shot into the anchorage.
Anchor Depth – 20-60ft
Just accept the fact that the only real shelf here is at 40-45ft. Twice we tried to anchor at 30ft and our swing would put us dangerously close to the reef. If you venture very far from the anchor waypoints it is mostly a fairly quick slope from deep water to less than 10ft.
We also tried the anchorage in front of the resort. Our 85lb Mantus refused to set properly when we put it under load.
Finally we just went back to the suggested area and depth and all was good. Even so with our swing radius and the 10ft tides the water under the boat varied from 25 to 60ft!!
Water temp and Clarity
Water temp was 85 deg when we arrived at the end of May. Clarity was about 20-30ft in the anchorage.
Dinghy Landing
Lots of easy landings on small beaches. There is also a small floating dock at the resort.
Garbage
No
Groceries
No
Things to Do
The Islas Secas Resort is just around the corner.
ANNOYANCES
Small stinging jellyfish and sea lice in the water in the anchorage (Hopefully was seasonal or a one time thing...)
Mosquitoes and other flying critters
A little rolly at certain tides but fine with a flopper stopper
Mosquitoes and other flying critters
A little rolly at certain tides but fine with a flopper stopper
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A quick 360 view of the anchorage. |
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Download our Google Earth KAP files for use in OpenCPN. | ||
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Download our gpx track to approach this area
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