Coiba Island National Park
Our first day in Panama started with an interesting proof that we were in the tropics. A short rain rinsed the Sea Voyager while it made its way to Granito de Oro, a small islet close to Coiba Island. Coiba is the largest coastal island (270,125 hectares) within Panamanian waters and the marine Park is considered one of the top ten diving locations in the world. It is home to the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific. It was once a maximum security prison and is the site of the largest expanse of lowland tropical forest in the entire Republic. The island's abundant marine life and diverse flora is an attraction for nature lovers.
Right after breakfast we took our snorkeling gear and went ashore. White sand, a couple of palm trees and a huge amount of hermit crabs gave us the welcome to this Gary Larson comic islet. This is a hidden paradise of Panama recently protected by law. The clear waters revealed an interesting coral reef and a great amount of fishes. We waited no more and went straight to see what it had to offer us. To our surprise, the marine biodiversity of the place left us amazed. White tipped reef sharks, moorish idols, giant damselfish, king angel fish, reef cornet fish, spotted grunts, barber fishes, octopus, and many others fishes were part of this spectacular master piece. Some of us decided to explore the surroundings of this islet by kayak. A group of sanderlings were giving a nice demonstration of their group flight.
It was a place that invoked one to stay longer, but the galley had set up a picnic lunch at the ranger station. So back on board, we repositioned the Sea Voyager in front of the station. We could not leave the island without a little birding in the surrounding area. What a welcome to Panama!
Our first day in Panama started with an interesting proof that we were in the tropics. A short rain rinsed the Sea Voyager while it made its way to Granito de Oro, a small islet close to Coiba Island. Coiba is the largest coastal island (270,125 hectares) within Panamanian waters and the marine Park is considered one of the top ten diving locations in the world. It is home to the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific. It was once a maximum security prison and is the site of the largest expanse of lowland tropical forest in the entire Republic. The island's abundant marine life and diverse flora is an attraction for nature lovers.
Right after breakfast we took our snorkeling gear and went ashore. White sand, a couple of palm trees and a huge amount of hermit crabs gave us the welcome to this Gary Larson comic islet. This is a hidden paradise of Panama recently protected by law. The clear waters revealed an interesting coral reef and a great amount of fishes. We waited no more and went straight to see what it had to offer us. To our surprise, the marine biodiversity of the place left us amazed. White tipped reef sharks, moorish idols, giant damselfish, king angel fish, reef cornet fish, spotted grunts, barber fishes, octopus, and many others fishes were part of this spectacular master piece. Some of us decided to explore the surroundings of this islet by kayak. A group of sanderlings were giving a nice demonstration of their group flight.
It was a place that invoked one to stay longer, but the galley had set up a picnic lunch at the ranger station. So back on board, we repositioned the Sea Voyager in front of the station. We could not leave the island without a little birding in the surrounding area. What a welcome to Panama!
