Anchorage· Cayos Holandeses· Other Caribbean
Cayos Holandeses Anchorage (The Swimming Pool)
9° 35.4′ N · 78° 40.5′ W
The San Blas signature: a broad swath of gin-clear turquoise water over white sand between Banedup and BBQ Island, sheltered by the great outer reef of the East Holandes, with rays gliding under the hull and Guna ulus calling with fish, lobster and molas.
Practical
Position 09°35.364'N 078°40.480'W (SY Balvenie 2012: anchored in 2.6 m sand, deeper water close by; 10 nights). Cruising World gives 09°35.368'N 078°40.585'W (2002); others report 3 to 5 m sand, good holding, about 10 ft. Popular landfall for boats coming from Colombia: there is a big break in the outer reef nearby, but loop round the bottom of the reefs and islands to reach the lee and flat water, in daylight with a lookout (a recently wrecked yacht on a reef edge, 2012). It can get rolly with a big swell over the reef in strong trades; moving 100 m usually improves it. Anchoring permit $10 for 30 days, receipt valid for 'De Los Seis Pueblos' (all the Holandes, Coco Bandero, Nargana and Green Island) (2018, verify locally). Can be packed with boats waiting for canal transit dates (Moxon, March 2014). Veggie boats call; Ivan's and BBQ Island host beach dinners. Rays, nurse sharks and starfish; crocodiles have been seen in the East Holandes, so keep dogs aboard. Banedup is nicknamed 'Bug Island' for its no-see-ums.
Best for
The iconic clear-water anchorage and cruiser social hub
Season
Dec–Apr peak; can roll over the reef in reinforced trades
Nearby
- Sea-Turtle Nesting on the Outer CaysRight here
- Veggie Boats & Colombian Trading BoatsRight here
- BBQ Island (Morodup), Holandes Cays0.1 NM away
- Ivan's Beach Dinners (Holandes Cays)0.1 NM away
- Swimming Pool Cruiser Potlucks (BBQ Island)0.1 NM away
- Bioluminescence in the Holandes0.3 NM away
- American Crocodiles, Nurse Sharks & Rays0.4 NM away
- Banedup Anchorage (East Holandes)0.4 NM away