Isla Coiba National Park, Panama

This morning we awoke anchored off Isla Granito de Oro (Grain of Gold Island) in Isla Coiba National Park, 22 kilometers off the mainland coast. One of the largest in Panama, 80% of this 270,000 hectare park is a marine sanctuary. Geologically, Isla Coiba originated over the Galápagos 'hot-spot', and shifted toward the continent. During the last ice age it was attached to the mainland, but thereafter became an island again. Since then, several endemic species have evolved, including: the Coiba howler monkey, Coiba agouti, Coiba white tail deer, Coiba honeybee, and the Coiba coral snake.

The park provides a key link in the Marine Conservation Corridor of the Tropical Pacific. Protected land and waters in the corridor include the Galápagos Islands, Cocos Islands, and other parks in Columbia. Recognizing its biological diversity and ecological significance, authorities declared the park a World Heritage Site. Recent research within the park has identified several previously unidentified species, including a shrimp, a dwarf octopus, a crab and others. Researchers are currently studying "coibamide," a compound derived from local coral that shows promise for cancer therapy.

Our day started early with a bird walk ashore. Species of particular interest that we identified included: Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Blue & Gray Tanager, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Tropical Kingbird, Red-crowned Woodpecker, and Great Kiskadee.

After returning to the boat for breakfast, we snorkeled off Isla Granite de Oro. The park includes the second largest coral reef in the tropical eastern Pacific. We met a variety of marine wildlife including Moorish Idols, Damselfish, Triggerfish, Parrotfish, white tipped sharks, eels, and more. Zodiacs and kayaks then provided an 'above water' perspective of the region, as we traveled to the nearby ranger station. Our chefs and stewards aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion prepared a fun barbecue, served on the beach at the Park ranger station. The station houses informative displays of the local ecology and wildlife.

Back aboard the ship, following a well-appreciated siesta, Maguil Cespedes presented a concise history of Costa Rica, and Margrit Ulrich reviewed much of what we saw snorkeling earlier in the day. Then another great meal aboard, and a pleasant evening underway as we left Panama, en route to Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica.