sv evi

06/01/2006, Costa Rica, Part 5

Upon our arrival at Isla del Cano we found no boats in the small rocky anchorage and promptly rowed to shore with gifts for the park ranger. Christian accepted some bread and beers and informed us of the fees to anchor and the diving regulations. We negotiated around the requirement to dive with the one of the expensive mainland companies that arrive daily with a dozen divers each. Our unique experience was just the two of us on a sunrise dive in clear, warm water and unguided through canyons and pinnacles, visiting the usual suspects. We have become very spoiled never having to share our dive sites and with less divers the fish are much more curious and engaging.

The first night was calm and the next day was spent exploring the small island and snorkeling from Guava, which was almost as good as the diving. This anchorage is not very inviting in calm weather and many boats only stay during the day. We were lucky the first night but the second evening delivered the usual blow, rain and lightning. Fortunately it soon passed and in the morning after a sunrise snorkel we weighed anchor and began the return north to CRYC for a haul-out.