Johnny Cay

The cay is about three hundred metres across, ringed by white sand and coconut palms, sitting on the reef a short way off San Andres - the boat takes about fifteen minutes and runs regularly from the town waterfront. It is a regional natural park, which means an entry fee and some rules about where you can go. The water on the sheltered side is shallow and calm; the seaward side has strong currents and swimming there is not advised. The whole islet is walkable in twenty minutes. It fills with day trippers from mid-morning, with music, food stalls and cocktails served in coconuts, so the experience is social rather than solitary. Blue land crabs cross the island in numbers at certain times of year.

What you actually see

• A palm islet about three hundred metres across - ringed by white sand.
• A calm sheltered side and a dangerous seaward one - currents on the outside.
• Day trippers from mid-morning - with music and food stalls.
• Blue land crabs - crossing in numbers seasonally.

When to go

January to April; go on the first boats for quiet. Half a day.

Honest expectations

It is small and gets very crowded by midday. Currents on the exposed side are dangerous. Food and drink prices on the cay are high. There is limited shade once the palm areas fill.

Nearby

San Andres town is opposite; Providencia is north by air or catamaran.