A trip to Granada is not complete until you have gone kayaking around Isletas de Granada. That philosophy got me and another group of crazy backpackers to head out in the pouring rain to experience this. The Isletas de Granada are 365 islets forming an archipelago in Lake Nicaragua. The islets are of volcanic origin, believed to have been formed by an explosion of the nearby Mombacho volcano. Kayaking the isletas is a perfect morning or sunset activity since the tour only takes about 2.5 hours. This blog posts will give you more information about the islets and the kayaking tour.
About Isletas de Granada
Thousands of years ago, the nearby Mombacho Volcano erupted (the volcano is not active today) and threw big rocks into Lake Nicaragua. This eruption resulted in the creation of 365 islets of different shapes and sizes, in front of Granada. The islets are known for their lush, tropical vegetation and richness in bird life.
Today, many of the islets are occupied, with about 1 200 local residents living on them. In previous years, there were not electricity on the islets, but today there are powerlines stretching over the archipelago. However, the only way to get to the islets is by boat, so everyday the residents need to row (yes, they do not have motor boats) into town.
The other islets that are not occupied by locals, serve the purpose as vacation homes for mainly U.S. residents, or some eco-hotels and resorts. There are also some uninhabited islets with only palm trees growing on them.
Kayaking Isletas de Granada
The Isletas de Granada are located only a 15-minute drive away from downtown Granada, in Lake Nicaragua. Kayaking the isletas is therefore not a full-day activity, so you’ll still have time to explore the rest of Granada. The tour includes pick-up at your accommodation. You’ll head out to the archipelago, get your kayak right away, and then you’re off.
The kayaking tour will take you through the many islets and I bet you’ll be mesmerized of how green everything is, especially during rainy season or right after. The isletas are rich in bird life so you’ll definitely see a lot of birds when visiting. If you’re lucky you can even spot some monkeys.
When to do the kayaking tour
What time of day?
The tour does its absolute best either in the morning or in the afternoon at golden hour, so if you can, try to book at one of these times.
What time of year?
The rainy season in Nicaragua stretches from May to October. Do note that November and April are transition months, not really belonging to either rainy season or dry season. The weather can therefore shift a lot. If you want to skip the rain, I suggest visiting in the dry season.
I however, did this in November, a morning when it was absolutely pouring outside. We were about 12 bold souls heading out. The weather is something you really can’t control, so we just embraced it and it made everything even more fun. The mood was on top and we were laughing so much at each other being so wet. And the rain made the isletas look even more tropical, a literal green explosion. Even though we were soaked after 10 minutes, the first 1.5 to 2 hours wasn’t so bad. Eventually, the cold was inevitable. Luckily we then were on our way back.
What to bring for kayaking Isletas de Granada
You do not need to bring many things for kayaking the Isletas de Granada since the tour only takes 2.5 hours. Here are some necessary things:
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Dry bag for phone or camera
- A hat or a cap
- Rain jacket (if rainy season, since it can start pouring anytime)
Where to book the kayaking tour
You can book the kayaking tour here. Many accommodations in Granada offer these tours as well, so if you want to book through them, you most likely can do that.
