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When the rarefied atmosphere of Laguna Grande becomes too much, Laguna Chica makes a cheerful change. It is inhabited by fishermen and boat builders. The colors are festive; red hills, bright green trees, white and blue fishing boats. There is always a little activity with boats coming and going without the pace getting hectic. There is a bar/dance hall in the eastern corner of the bay and it has a shower outside. Late afternoon, when it is cool, is the best time for taking a walk.

We have marked several good places to anchor. The most intriguing is in the little lagoon in the western corner of the bay. Enter carefully in good light as there are shoals on both sides. There is a perfect place to anchor in the southern corner of the bay where you can look across the low sand spit to the gulf outside. Turning room is very tight in here, so if a following wind is blowing hard, you may want to drop hook while you are still moving and let the anchor swing the boat round.

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PUERTO REAL

You can find good anchorage off Los Cañónes or Puerto Real. Of the two, Puerto Real is far more scenic, and the most appealing anchorage is right up in the eastern corner. This is a delightful and very protected anchorage. Over the bow the green valley makes a pleasing contrast with the red hills and off the stern the little fishing village built out on the point is picturesque. There is easy access to the beach for walking ashore.

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When entering Puerto Real give good clearance to the eastern headland as a rocky shoal extends almost half a mile out. The depths over this shoal are mainly 10-16 feet, but there are shallower spots. 

Just north west is the quaint and clean village of Merito where two nuns who are in fact sisters, Maria and Beatriz run a tourist school. They are very welcoming and as they teach English to their students they would welcome visitors who speak English. You can also anchor here.

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