Cayemites Islands

The Cayemites are two islands, Grande and Petite, lying off the north coast of the southern peninsula in shallow water full of mangrove, seagrass and patch reef. They are farmed and fished, have almost no road, and see effectively no visitors. The channels between the islands and the mainland are the interesting part: clear shallow water, mangrove edges, and sandbars that appear at low tide. Boats go across from Pestel in half an hour.

Background

The islands lie in the Gulf of Gonâve and belong to the department of Grand'Anse, approximately 35 kilometres to the east of Jérémie. Together they cover 45 square kilometres, with Petite Cayemite sitting just west of the larger Grande Cayemite. A 2009 estimate put their combined population at 5,022. In the past the islands were known for thick forests of rare and valuable timber, above all Lignum vitae, which is called guaiac wood locally.

Source: Wikipedia, "Les Cayemites"

What's there

• The mangrove channels - shallow clear water between the islands and the mainland.
• The beaches - small strips of pale sand on the seaward sides.
• The reef - patch coral in the shallows, snorkelled straight off a boat.
• The villages - fishing and farming settlements with no roads to speak of.

When to go

November to March is drier and calmer. The crossing is short but open, and wind makes it uncomfortable. Hurricane season runs June to November and this coast is exposed.

Before you go

There is essentially nothing built for visitors: no accommodation beyond arrangements with families, no restaurants, no facilities. Boats are fishing pirogues without safety gear. Bring water, since the islands have little.

Nearby

Pestel is the mainland port, and Jeremie is west along the peninsula.

Key facts