Granito de Oro, Coiba National Park
December 31st was the last day of the year and the first day in the waters of the Republic of Panama. We spent the day at Coiba Island Marine National Park, the 3rd largest marine reserve in the world and our destination today. The end of the year is just the beginning of a new cycle and Granito de Oro was our start in a new country. We are in the waters of Panama now, a rich country in terms of marine life.
Coiba Island is composed of a large number of small isles and a large island, actually the largest island off the pacific coast of Central America. The tiny isle of Granito de Oro welcomed us with clear green water full of fishes, coral, sharks and turtles.
We enjoyed a spectacular day snorkeling around the rocky outcrops of Granito de Oro. The kayakers and swimmers had fun in the warm waters of this paradise that use to be a penal colony. The colony kept away visitors and fishermen and protected the bounty of marine life that we observed today.
The sunlight heated the sand and the waters of this corner of the Pacific. As we cruised to our next destination, dolphins, marine life and turtles increased in numbers. As we got close to Azuero Peninsula we spotted a little panga boat drifting in the currents. One of the two fishermen waved a t-shirt to us and in compliance of the humanitarian and international marine laws we assisted the small boat.
The couple, two cousins, were drifting with no gas for more than 36 hours. As we gave them gas and some food, the captain asked where they were from and if they were hungry. The answer was: ¡Yo lo que tengo es sed! They were thirsty.
During all this rescue excitement a juvenile Red-billed Tropicbird and a couple Pomarine Jeagers were spotted. They now count as one of few records of jeagers in Panamanian waters.
The spirit of exploration and innovation that drives Lindblad Expeditions saw another way of changing the world today, by helping those who needed it and adding more knowledge for those who come after.
December 31st was the last day of the year and the first day in the waters of the Republic of Panama. We spent the day at Coiba Island Marine National Park, the 3rd largest marine reserve in the world and our destination today. The end of the year is just the beginning of a new cycle and Granito de Oro was our start in a new country. We are in the waters of Panama now, a rich country in terms of marine life.
Coiba Island is composed of a large number of small isles and a large island, actually the largest island off the pacific coast of Central America. The tiny isle of Granito de Oro welcomed us with clear green water full of fishes, coral, sharks and turtles.
We enjoyed a spectacular day snorkeling around the rocky outcrops of Granito de Oro. The kayakers and swimmers had fun in the warm waters of this paradise that use to be a penal colony. The colony kept away visitors and fishermen and protected the bounty of marine life that we observed today.
The sunlight heated the sand and the waters of this corner of the Pacific. As we cruised to our next destination, dolphins, marine life and turtles increased in numbers. As we got close to Azuero Peninsula we spotted a little panga boat drifting in the currents. One of the two fishermen waved a t-shirt to us and in compliance of the humanitarian and international marine laws we assisted the small boat.
The couple, two cousins, were drifting with no gas for more than 36 hours. As we gave them gas and some food, the captain asked where they were from and if they were hungry. The answer was: ¡Yo lo que tengo es sed! They were thirsty.
During all this rescue excitement a juvenile Red-billed Tropicbird and a couple Pomarine Jeagers were spotted. They now count as one of few records of jeagers in Panamanian waters.
The spirit of exploration and innovation that drives Lindblad Expeditions saw another way of changing the world today, by helping those who needed it and adding more knowledge for those who come after.
