Spending five days on remote islands was a phenomenal experience. No two islands were the same, and I came to appreciate the diversity of nature that each new place had to offer.

Here is a collection of some of my favorite middle-of-paradise activities.

1. Hermit Crab Races

My face was less than an inch from the sand, my eyes darting to and fro looking for subtle signs of movement. When a tiny shell nudged ever so slightly, I scooped it up and searched for an inside guest. In honor of the Summer 2020 Olympics (which I had no way of watching in the middle of the sea), I had gathered some hermit crab contestants to participate in a race of epic proportions.

A simple shell held a collection of my new athletes. I was fascinated by their tiny stature and the ways they engaged with the world around them. Some of the crabs scurried away quickly after being placed on my palm, while others took a while to get over the initial shyness. As the Caribbean water lapped at my feet, I enjoyed setting up a marked circle to see which hermit crab would victoriously be the first to make its way from center to circumference.

The ability to play outside as an adult is something I’m truly passionate about. Finding delight and joy in little critters was truly the highlight of one afternoon in San Blas.

2. Conch Shell Hunt

As I dragged the kayak onto shore, the first thing I noticed was the myriad of conch (pronounced conk) shells scattered about. I knew that the Kuna Indigenous peoples regularly eat the fleshy conch meat, but I was surprised to see so many beautiful shell “wrappers” along the island’s shores. It became my quest to find the most perfect one.

They varied in sizes, colorings, and overall thickness. Some of the conch shells were cracked, revealing intricate swirls within their interior. I placed many a conch shell close to my hear, enjoying the pleasant ocean wave sound (which is really just resonating air).

The balance between simplicity and complexity make conch shell hunting a fabulous choice for a lazy morning on a remote Caribbean island.

3. Float in the Sea

It’s impossible to resist spending hours simply unwinding in warm water with a cool breeze.

Minimal tide.

No bugs.

Lots of tranquil clouds to look at.

Each time I ventured out to a new island, I brought a floatie with me, using the extra buoyancy to allow my body to be completely weightless in the water. It was so refreshing to let my mind wander and daydream.

4. Coral Reef Snorkeling

Throughout my life, I’ve done my fair share of snorkeling. My first experience was in my teens, and more recently, I snorkeled at Dry Tortugas National Park.

Yet my snorkel experience in San Blas was unique. I was expecting bleached-out reefs and perhaps a smattering of fish. Instead, I came face-to-face with a noteworthy proportion of biodiversity, both in the sheer amount of fish as well as the range of coral.

The color and texture of the reef was inexplicably distinct. Some coral looked like accordions while others looked like vegetables. As I hovered oh-so carefully from above, I spotted lobsters, nurse sharks, sea urchins, sting rays, and a host of colorful fish.

It was heaven.

I particularly enjoyed watching massive schools of angel fish scoot by, appearing to have not a care in the world.

5. Dolphin Watching

Anytime our sailboat took up anchor and relocated to another beautiful San Blas location, I’d keep my eyes open for marine wildlife along the way.

One particular morning, a pod of dolphins followed the boat for a good mile. I was sitting way up front on the bow, laughing as the dolphins playfully maneuvered super close to the boat. It was a game, a delightful game that involved leaping, swimming, and lots of joy.

And although I wasn’t able to get a photo (my camera was in the cabin), I will relish this visual memory for years to come.

San Blas was full of surprises, both big and small. Finding creative ways to connect to nature was a delightful way to engage with the outdoors in such a unique place.