Once we reached shore, we left our kayaks behind and went for a nature walk around Cas Cay. The 15-acre tropical island is completely undeveloped and uninhabited, with the mangroves to the south and volcanic cliffs to the north.
We quickly discovered some prominent Cas Cay residents– hermit crabs– which were scurrying around everywhere along the forest floor. Hermit crabs discard their shells several times a year, always seeking an upgrade. They’re impressively accurate weather predictors: If a storm or flood is coming, hermit crabs will actually climb trees to safety. I was cautious about stepping on them, but their shells are extremely sturdy and can actually withstand up to 500 lbs of pressure!
The hiking path on Cas Cay provided a peaceful ocean view. It started to rain lightly, but this somehow only added to the dramatic scenery. The ocean waves grew in intensity, crashing against the massive boulders lining the coast. Grey wisps of clouds caressed the rolling green hills that loomed in the distance.