We wanted to leave early in the morning. But, there is already as “but”.

In our case the”but” was the weather. It rained pretty heavily and we need sunshine for this day’s route to see when the color of the water is changing with the depth.
Thus we had breakfast and watched the rain, hoping it will stop soon.

Rain stopped after about an hour. We lifted the hook and took off.

Not even all mangrove island are in the Navionics charts. Thus, I had only the many WPT I took from the Bauhaus’ maps. Sometimes it was difficult to know going starboard or port side around a mangrove islet. Judging from the water color decision was made. Speed almost zero, we passed the most shallow parts. The minimum depth I saw at the depth meter was 2.5 m. Enough for MaRe, but there may be always a rock. Visible judgement and slow speed is key. Tob was standing at the bow to have a good visibility with his polarized sun glasses. And then we reached the final entry to The Gap.

In The Gap I decided there is always a current and I considered The Gap as a river. In a river I know where are the shallow parts. The strategy work out well.

Beside the challenge to make that passage, it was always am interesting scenery to be seen. Lush green of the mangroves and then also the higher trees of the jungle.

Finally we arrived at the bay south of Red Frog Marina at the NW corner of Isla Bastimento. We carefully checked the open space between the boats already at anchor and depth around possible open spots, found a good one, and dropped the hook.

After having eaten something and a time to relax, we took the tender to go at land to have a long look around.

Passing the neighbor boat and asking where a dinghy dock is, we learned that there are two. One in the marina, which cost 5 USD / person not per dinghy! The second in the next bay, price is the same but only until 1700. As it was almost 1700, our decision was clear.

I have to say the three path through the private property and jungle like forest is pretty well maintained, this easy to walk. As expected, we didn’t have to pay. Only between 0800 – 1600 reach person hat to pay 5 USD; and the dinghy dock as such is free.

The beach is just s normal beach. Back at the edge of the forest, there are a few bars, restaurants and lodges. Pretty well maintained.

We walked all the way down to one end of the beach and then went back. On this way back we suddenly saw a lady, collecting garbage. She was not a professional beach cleaner, but just a normal person like you and me, who collects always a bit of garbage to keep the environment clean. Like it’s proposed by “take 3 for the sea”. https://www.take3.org/

I went to her and told her that I admire her for what she does. However, deep inside I felt ashamed that I didn’t do the same.

We went back to MaRe and decided where we want to go early next morning.