Holandes Cays

Akuadargana – Western Holandes Cays

We left the Eastern Lemmon Cays heading to the Holandes Cays, another group of islands still quite visited by sailors. We anchored in front of Akuadargana, close to a large, beautiful ketch owned by an Italian noble. This was one of the first time that an Italian boat among the ones we met would fly the Italian flag!

Italian ketch

Waisaladup – Western Holandes Cays

We spent the next few days exploring other islands part of the Holandes Cays (see map) discovering tiny islets made of a strip of sand and a few palms. We often wondered whether in ten years these islets will still be there or they will be submerged.

Miriadiadup – Central Holandes Cays

Gemma at Miriadiadup

Sand Islet – Central Holandes Cays

We landed on many of these islands; unfortunately some of them look much nicer from a distance as when you arrive you get badly impressed by the quantity of garbage that accumulates brought from the sea. The Kuna people make their best to keep their islands clean, periodically burning the garbage, but it looks like the quantity of plastic is becoming overwhelming. This is probably due to the fact that the San Blas are in a cul de sac of the Atlantic Ocean and easily become a point of collection of the floating objects transported by the currents.

Ukupsuit – Central Holandes Cays

We were surprised by the number of Italian crews traveling in this area, especially in the western San Blas. We found out that many of them can self sustain by chartering tourists. It seems to be a well established community where everyone helps each other. Some of the people we met leave in this area since years, and seem to enjoy this life style.

BBQ Island – Eastern Holandes Cays

Eastern Lemmon Cays
On our way back to Panamarina

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