Excursion Guide: Natural Pools & Starfish Sandbars
- Open ocean sandbars: Waist-deep turquoise shallows in the middle of the sea with soft white sand.
- Giant cushion starfish: Abundant marine life flourishing in an undisturbed natural sanctuary.
- Golden rule: Never lift starfish out of the water (they breathe underwater and suffocate within seconds).
- Included: This excursion is included in every Pelicano Island cabin stay and day trip.
What are the San Blas Natural Pools?
Just a short 10-minute boat ride from Pelicano Island, the Natural Pools appear in the open Caribbean Sea like an optical illusion: a massive underwater sandbank where you can step off the speedboat and stand in chest-to-waist-deep warm water with 360-degree ocean views.
Because there are no heavy waves or currents over the sandbar, it provides the perfect spot for relaxing, floating, taking stunning photos, and admiring marine life in natural light.
Home to Giant Caribbean Starfish
Scattered across the white coral sand are dozens of giant cushion starfish (Oreaster reticulatus), with vivid colors ranging from fiery orange and yellow to reddish-brown. Thanks to the glass-clear water, they can be easily photographed from above or with an underwater camera.
Excursion Details from Pelicano Island
- Boat Transit Time: Approx. 10–15 minutes from Pelicano Island.
- Average Water Depth: 0.8 to 1.3 meters depending on the tide.
- Included in Packages: Fully included in all all-inclusive overnight packages and scheduled day tours on Pelicano Island.
- Recommended Activities: Shallow-water snorkeling, underwater photography, and spotting juvenile stingrays and parrotfish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Starfish absorb oxygen from water through tiny dermal gills. Taking them above the surface—even for a quick selfie—causes fatal asphyxiation and stress. Please admire and photograph them underwater only!
They average 0.8 to 1.2 meters (waist to chest deep), allowing you to stand comfortably in warm, crystalline water surrounded by open sea.
It takes just 10 to 15 minutes by speedboat from Pelicano Island and is included in the daily tour itinerary.
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Ready to Walk in the Middle of the Caribbean?
The Natural Pools tour is included in your stay at Pelicano Island. Book your cabin or day trip directly on WhatsApp with our indigenous Guna family.