Towards the end of our stay in Cuba, and possibly recognising that the passengers on board the Pano Rama II may have been exhausted by the people to people learning, we were treated to a relaxing day on Cayo Largo, Long Island, a small limestone sand-spit well east of but administratively part of the Isla de la Juventud. There must be many Cayo Largos in the Spanish speaking world!
It was a tricky arrival an anchoring spot in these shallow waters, and there were two other fine yachts anchored nearby, and a pilot to guide us. We were then picked up by a tender which ferried us to Playa Sirena, a popular beach resort where we had to wait a while for lounge chairs to be allocated.
We nose into the tiny marina at Cayo Largo
Unfortunately, two dolphins were caged in the lagoon for the entertainment of visitors.
Once settled, and with waiters scurrying around offering mohitos and pina coladas, we relaxed under thatched umbrellas and enjoyed the sun, sand and Caribbean blue water. It was a nice day off, topped off by a buffet lunch at the resort.
We had seafood at a beach restaurant, accompanied by a band and dancers.
The beach itself seemed to be organised on a European resort model. Shade and lounges which had to be rented, hobie cats (which came complete with crew) and kayaks to hire, and organised activities, including intriguingly, a darts competition.
Just another idyllic Caribbean beach! Pelicans and catamarans.
Hobie cats could be rented, complete with a helpful skipper.
The leader loudly called the score in this beach darts competition.
The long spit invited walking. Small pleasure craft were anchored offshore, pelicans fished and flaoted lazily, and you didn't have to walk far before swimming costumes became optional.
Walking is good exercise along this spit.
Some of us took the tender out for snorkelling on a nearby reef. Depth was maybe 5m and the bottom was sandy, very little coral formations. But there were some nice fish to see, no stingers to bother you, and the water was warm. Our underwater camera, which had given us a scare at Berrara Beach, seemed to handle the conditions quite well, having been freshly sealed up. A nice relaxing afternoon.
The crew of our snorkelling boat.
Many fish gathered to sample the delicacies attached to the keel of our boat.
Sandy bottom and not much coral, but we saw a good variety of fish.
This stingray slithered along the sandy bottom.
Megan, Mike's dive buddy at the reef.
This barracuda was almost invisible.
But Cindy, a good diver, goes after him with her GoPro.
Literally sailing into the sunset.
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