Unfortunately, we had a number of issues with our trip not only prevented us from experiencing the island but also prevented us from creating a back-up plan.
1. We had a group of 10 people and the boat they organized for us was too small to transport us effectively. We had to cut our luggage down which we were happy to do and after 30 minutes, we turned back to port to find another boat. Unfortunately, the back-up boat was only marginally bigger then our first boat and the engine power was much less than the first. After another 30 min, we turned around back to land with the crew claiming the police called them stating unsafe conditions. There was no phone call, I was facing the crew the entire time, this was frustrating. No back-up plan and lying about why we could not go out. It was known well in advance that we had 10 people and appropriate transportation should have been arranged.
2. The crew stated that they would have a back-up plan within an hour, for another try to the island the following day. We explained we needed a quick response so we might try to book flights out, if they could not organize another way to the island. They took several hours to get back to us and ignored repeated calls. While waiting for their response, we were by the dock, and again noted many boats going out to sea. The weather was good the entire time.
3. When we finally heard from the crew, they did not have an adequate plan but unfortunately they had responded so late that the flights that were previously available were no longer available. So unfortunately, we were not able to create a backup plan to recover the rest of the trip and instead wasted the end part of our trip. In addition to this, we were forced to find and pay for the back-up hotel.
A very frustrating experience in general, especially given how much we spent. I'm sure the island would have been great to experience but the lack of planning, foresight and communication ruined what would have been a great trip. The lack of communication prevented us from creating a back-up plan to get out of Bluefields to experience something else in Nicaragua.
It has been sometime since our trip and still awaiting a refund. There has been no compensation at all offered for the time wasted or the cost of the hotels we paid as back-up. I hope this doesn't occur to anyone else.