Otoque, Bona & Iguana Island, Gulf of Panama
The sun began to reveal where the Sea Voyager had spent the night. In Otoque, Bona and Estiva - named after an indigenous chief that controlled this area- we discovered the home of one of the biggest sea bird colonies in Panama. Located in the Gulf of Panama, these islands offer the best shelter and feeding place for seabirds. Brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, brown boobies and magnificent frigate birds are the owners. As a feeding place, the gulf receives the trade winds, which blow the surface waters allowing the cold waters from the bottom to rise. This brings a lot of nutrients to the surface and creates incredible feeding frenzies among the island dwellers.
Having this information, we had early risers willing to check these birds’ activities. There is no better way than with Zodiac cruises. All geared up, we headed out to see the sea bird colonies. What an amazing show! Observing the brown pelicans and boobies plunge diving in pursuit of their prey while the frigate birds waiting in the sky to choose who they will perturb. Near the nesting place of the frigate birds, we could appreciate the male frigate birds blowing their red gular pouch trying to attract females.
Back on board, we sailed to our next destination, Iguana Island wildlife refuge. This refuge was created after the year 2000. Some time ago, this place was being used for the detonation of bombs, so part of the island was affected by it. Nevertheless, it has a pleasant coral reef that little by little is being restored. It was a good opportunity for our first snorkeling outing. Bicolor parrot fish, morish idols, hawksbill turtles, reef cornet fish and many others delighted our view while we snorkeled. A short hike around the island allowed use to see a couple of frigate birds nesting up close, spiny tailed iguanas and interesting hermit crabs patrolling the beach.
While the sun began to set, we returned to the ship for our cocktail hour. What a wonderful day we had experience. It was another day in the paradise of Panama.
The sun began to reveal where the Sea Voyager had spent the night. In Otoque, Bona and Estiva - named after an indigenous chief that controlled this area- we discovered the home of one of the biggest sea bird colonies in Panama. Located in the Gulf of Panama, these islands offer the best shelter and feeding place for seabirds. Brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, brown boobies and magnificent frigate birds are the owners. As a feeding place, the gulf receives the trade winds, which blow the surface waters allowing the cold waters from the bottom to rise. This brings a lot of nutrients to the surface and creates incredible feeding frenzies among the island dwellers.
Having this information, we had early risers willing to check these birds’ activities. There is no better way than with Zodiac cruises. All geared up, we headed out to see the sea bird colonies. What an amazing show! Observing the brown pelicans and boobies plunge diving in pursuit of their prey while the frigate birds waiting in the sky to choose who they will perturb. Near the nesting place of the frigate birds, we could appreciate the male frigate birds blowing their red gular pouch trying to attract females.
Back on board, we sailed to our next destination, Iguana Island wildlife refuge. This refuge was created after the year 2000. Some time ago, this place was being used for the detonation of bombs, so part of the island was affected by it. Nevertheless, it has a pleasant coral reef that little by little is being restored. It was a good opportunity for our first snorkeling outing. Bicolor parrot fish, morish idols, hawksbill turtles, reef cornet fish and many others delighted our view while we snorkeled. A short hike around the island allowed use to see a couple of frigate birds nesting up close, spiny tailed iguanas and interesting hermit crabs patrolling the beach.
While the sun began to set, we returned to the ship for our cocktail hour. What a wonderful day we had experience. It was another day in the paradise of Panama.
