Southwest Caye, Utila and Jeanette Kawas National Park, Honduras
We had spent the night in the flat calm waters of East Harbor, Utila and were now making our way west towards the eleven or so cayes that make up the archipelago of western Utila. This chain of coconut covered islands with their white sand beaches can be seen from a distance. We planned to visit the private island of Southwest Caye, which is owned by two couples. We thought ourselves to be especially lucky and privileged to visit since we had permission to do so. The air was crisp and clear and the mountains of mainland Honduras were outlined perfectly in the distance. The waters surrounding the caye were spectacular hues of aqua blue and green and all shades in between with just the tips of some of the corals peeking out the water. The snorkelers floated effortlessly on the surface while the divers did the same down below the calm surface. But it is said that all good things must eventually end and so we lifted anchor and headed towards the mainland and to a national park.
The Jeanette Kawas National Park is named after a Honduran ecology activist who lost her life while protecting this national park, previously known as the Punta Sal National Park. The park is one of the most important national parks in Honduras, based on its’ size and biodiversity. The small bays within served as havens to the pirates and buccaneers of yesteryear. We dropped our kayaks and Zodiacs one last time for our journey up the Rio Tinto. Traveling by boat up one of the many waterways in this area would be an excellent opportunity for catching a glimpse of wildlife. Almost 500 types of plants have been identified here as well as 232 animal species including turtles, manatees, jaguar, ocelots, capuchin and howler monkeys, wild pigs and toucans. We slowly motored back to our ship but couldn’t help but look in amazement at the colors that reflected off the huge protruding metamorphic slabs of rock of Punta Sal as the sun set. We could not believe the day had finished so quickly and that our week aboard Sea Voyager was almost at an end! At supper, we raised our glasses in a toast to new friendships formed and many more unique and remarkable places to discover…
We had spent the night in the flat calm waters of East Harbor, Utila and were now making our way west towards the eleven or so cayes that make up the archipelago of western Utila. This chain of coconut covered islands with their white sand beaches can be seen from a distance. We planned to visit the private island of Southwest Caye, which is owned by two couples. We thought ourselves to be especially lucky and privileged to visit since we had permission to do so. The air was crisp and clear and the mountains of mainland Honduras were outlined perfectly in the distance. The waters surrounding the caye were spectacular hues of aqua blue and green and all shades in between with just the tips of some of the corals peeking out the water. The snorkelers floated effortlessly on the surface while the divers did the same down below the calm surface. But it is said that all good things must eventually end and so we lifted anchor and headed towards the mainland and to a national park.
The Jeanette Kawas National Park is named after a Honduran ecology activist who lost her life while protecting this national park, previously known as the Punta Sal National Park. The park is one of the most important national parks in Honduras, based on its’ size and biodiversity. The small bays within served as havens to the pirates and buccaneers of yesteryear. We dropped our kayaks and Zodiacs one last time for our journey up the Rio Tinto. Traveling by boat up one of the many waterways in this area would be an excellent opportunity for catching a glimpse of wildlife. Almost 500 types of plants have been identified here as well as 232 animal species including turtles, manatees, jaguar, ocelots, capuchin and howler monkeys, wild pigs and toucans. We slowly motored back to our ship but couldn’t help but look in amazement at the colors that reflected off the huge protruding metamorphic slabs of rock of Punta Sal as the sun set. We could not believe the day had finished so quickly and that our week aboard Sea Voyager was almost at an end! At supper, we raised our glasses in a toast to new friendships formed and many more unique and remarkable places to discover…
