The Isletas are an archipelago of 365 small islands just southeast of Granada, formed when the Mombacho volcano collapsed and slid into Lake Nicaragua. Some are wild, covered in tropical forest and inhabited only by birds and howler monkeys; others have been bought up by Nicaraguan and foreign families and turned into private retreats with their own jetties.
The classic way to see them is by panga — small motorboat trips leaving from Puerto Asese or the Centro Turistico in Granada. A two-hour loop takes in the bird islets, the colonial-era fort on San Pablo, and a chance to swim in the lake's surprisingly clean water. Negotiate the price before you board: rates vary wildly between tour operators and freelance boatmen. Kayak rentals are a quieter alternative for confident paddlers.