Coiba Island, Panama
Moving slowly against the currents, we made our way this morning onto the Northeastern side of Panama largest island: Coiba Island. Recently declared as a World Heritage Site, it is also a Marine Preserve and a National Park and was once a penal colony. No worries! They have left the island, and we had a chance to visit the head quarters this morning. Many of us, in spite of the tropical rain (not to say downpour…), headed out either to kayak or birdwatch. Kayakers reported seeing howler monkeys, an owl, and a lot of waterfowl, while the birdwatchers could not have asked for more… Crimson backed tanagers, red legged honeycreepers, tropical king birds, perching black vultures, yellow-headed caracaras, tiger herons, and many more, included in the day were agoutis, iguanas, and the famous red brocket deer Sarah, who is known for her moodiness.
The ship was repositioned a few miles from the headquarters to a tiny island maybe a mile off the coast of Coiba island. This islet may not be any bigger than two acres – one of which is underwater at low tide – but provides one of the best snorkeling sites on the Eastern Pacific. The small island not only allows for snorkeling, but kayaking, hermit-crab-racing, beach bumming, playing frisbee, and swimming were also on the menu. It is no wonder where its name came from: Granito de Oro – Little grain of Gold. Most of us came back from the water marveling at the numbers of fishes we saw, but some were lucky enough to spot a Hawksbill sea turtle while making a whole snorkeling loop around the island!
After a very full day, we were quite ready to go dream of our next country, Costa Rica and its wonders…
Moving slowly against the currents, we made our way this morning onto the Northeastern side of Panama largest island: Coiba Island. Recently declared as a World Heritage Site, it is also a Marine Preserve and a National Park and was once a penal colony. No worries! They have left the island, and we had a chance to visit the head quarters this morning. Many of us, in spite of the tropical rain (not to say downpour…), headed out either to kayak or birdwatch. Kayakers reported seeing howler monkeys, an owl, and a lot of waterfowl, while the birdwatchers could not have asked for more… Crimson backed tanagers, red legged honeycreepers, tropical king birds, perching black vultures, yellow-headed caracaras, tiger herons, and many more, included in the day were agoutis, iguanas, and the famous red brocket deer Sarah, who is known for her moodiness.
The ship was repositioned a few miles from the headquarters to a tiny island maybe a mile off the coast of Coiba island. This islet may not be any bigger than two acres – one of which is underwater at low tide – but provides one of the best snorkeling sites on the Eastern Pacific. The small island not only allows for snorkeling, but kayaking, hermit-crab-racing, beach bumming, playing frisbee, and swimming were also on the menu. It is no wonder where its name came from: Granito de Oro – Little grain of Gold. Most of us came back from the water marveling at the numbers of fishes we saw, but some were lucky enough to spot a Hawksbill sea turtle while making a whole snorkeling loop around the island!
After a very full day, we were quite ready to go dream of our next country, Costa Rica and its wonders…
