Cispata Bay

Cispata is a bay at the old mouth of the Sinu, ringed by mangrove of several species, and the interesting thing here is a reversal. American crocodiles in the bay had been hunted almost out for their skins by the local community, which depended on that income; from the 1990s a project turned the hunters into the managers - they collect eggs from wild nests, hatch and rear the young in a station at Caño Salado, and release them back into the bay, with the community running it as an association. Numbers have recovered substantially. Boats go out through the mangrove channels and to the station. The mangrove itself has been the subject of carbon and restoration work, and the bay supports fishing and oyster gathering.

What you actually see

• A crocodile programme run by former hunters - eggs collected, reared and released.
• Mangrove channels by boat - several species around the bay.
• A recovered crocodile population - after near-elimination for skins.
• Fishing and oyster gathering - the bay's other economies.

When to go

December to April. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Boat arrangements are through community associations and prices should be agreed first. Heat, humidity and mosquitoes are heavy. Crocodiles in the wild are dangerous and the station is where they are seen. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

San Antero is at the bay; San Bernardo del Viento is south.