Today we were treated to a jewel of the Pacific, an iconic paradise properly named Granito de Oro, or Little Grain of Gold. The sky was a deep blue overhead with scattered cumulous clouds in the background. Looking down from the ship, into the aquamarine colored water, we knew we were in for a treat.
Granito de Oro Island is best compared to the Far Side cartoons by Gary Larson, as it is only about the size of a football field during high tide. I’ve actually come to recognize the island on posters in many international airports, though its location is left at large. Half a dozen palm trees reach out over beach to offer the perfect amount of shade.
We landed after a delicious breakfast, and the empty island was as beautiful as ever. The clean white sand was decorated with thousands of hermit crabs, moving around in large clusters. We unloaded the kayaks, paddleboards, chairs, refreshments, and moments later, our arriving guests. Many were in awe at the stunning landscape that was ours alone. We immediately assisted guests into kayaks and onto paddleboards, while most put on their masks and fins and took to the water to experience the rich underwater world.
The corals build a varied terrain for all different kinds of fishes. Hours flew by in minutes, and at 11:00 a.m., our fearless expedition leader Gustavo led a group of us to circumnavigate the island. This part of the island was new to me, and even more pristine. Endless coral, schools of fish, eels, and some even saw a white-tipped reef shark and a hawksbill sea turtle.
A better day cannot be had. We take home with us wonderful memories, stunning photos, and for some, a sunburn.
