๐Ÿšค Islets of Granada: My Honest Review & Tips

Two people kayaking over water surrounded by lush trees.

The islets of Granada in Nicaragua are 300+ small, lush islands that were formed by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago. A popular way to explore it is by boat or kayak. Using a clear rating system, I share my honest review of visiting it, along with firsthand tips.

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๐Ÿ€ Lukiih’s Verdict

Taking a boat or kayaking through the islets of Granada is a decent option if you have some extra time in the city. It’s not a must-do attraction.

  • The islets feature biodiversity and nature (I saw howler monkeys, different tropical birds, and lilypads when I kayaked). Some privately owned islets have lavish houses built on them, which I thought was interesting but distracted me from tranquility and nature. I didn’t see anything mind-blowing, but it was a nice way to explore a different part of Granada.
  • The experience is affordable if you kayak (rentals are ~$15 for 3 hours). A boat tour is expensive (~$40 for 2 hours) but much more efficient, and you’ll have a guide who can tell you about the surrounding area.
  • Very minimal preparation is required. You can rent or book at the last minute and just need to wear comfortable clothes.
A person kayaking and look out a volcano in the distance.
Kayaking islets of Granada
A monkey partially concealed by lush tree.
Howler monkey

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Planning a Trip to Nicaragua: 12 Practical Things To Know

๐Ÿ† Where Does It Rank?

Visiting the islets of Granada ranks as the #10 experience I had in Nicaragua. Here’s how it compares to other things I did on my trip:

ExperienceLocationOverall Rating
1๐ŸŒŠ Laguna de Apoyo Day TripGranada7.7
2๐Ÿ–๏ธ Playa MangoOmetepe6.7
3๐Ÿ๏ธ Ometepe ScooterOmetepe6.3
4๐Ÿ’ง Cascada de San RamรณnOmetepe6.1
5โ›ช Church of La MercedGranada5.9
6๐ŸŠโ€โ™‚๏ธ Ojo de AguaOmetepe5.7
7๐Ÿ„โ€โ™€๏ธ Playa Maderas Surfing LessonsSan Jual del Sur5.7
8๐ŸŒ‹ Concepciรณn Volcano HikeOmetepe5.6
9๐Ÿ–๏ธ Playa Santo DomingoOmetepe5.6
10๐Ÿ›ถ Islets of GranadaGranada5.5
11๐Ÿ„โ€โ™€๏ธ Playa Remanso Surfing LessonsSan Jual del Sur5.4
Learn how Lukiih’s Rating is calculated here

๐Ÿ–๏ธ 10 Days in Nicaragua: A Unique & Active Itinerary

For more detailed tips on my experience, check out my trip planner below.

Nicaragua Trip Planner 2025

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