Coiba Island National Park
The Sea Voyager had sailed all night through the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean in order to reach a lovely paradise. The sunrise began to reveal Panama’s pristine jewel, Coiba Island National Park! Being part of the Eastern Pacific Marine Corridor, Coiba Island stands as a symbol of conservation. It covers an extension of 271,000 hectares in which 52,000 hectares is main land and all the rest is marine area. It is here where we can find the second biggest coral reef of the Eastern Pacific. There is a lot to enjoy in this park.
For many years it was kept off limits for visitors since it was Panama’s Devil Island. Since 1919 thru 2004 it was used as a penal colony. When it was declared a National Park and protected by law in 2004, all the prisoners were relocated in other local jails. Some of the prisoners who had completed their time became Park rangers because of their experience and knowledge of the island biodiversity. Today, Coiba Island is patrolled by MarViva and the Panamanian Environmental Authority. They control the artesanal fishing and the shark finning as well as the environmental education programs of the area. They promote the conservation of this park since it plays an important role in the marine corridor. Other marine parks that are part of this corridor are Cocos Island in Costa Rica, Malpelo in Colombia and Galápagos in Ecuador. This allows several species of fish to travel safely through this corridor and reproduce.
Right after breakfast, we picked up our snorkeling and went ashore to enjoy all that was possible to see. We arrived to a little islet which its name made honor to all the richness found in it, “Granito de Oro,” which means “Little Grain of Gold.” Just as if it were taken from a Gary Larson comic, this islet is covered with white sand, a couple of palm trees, some shrubs and a big population of hermit crabs. We didn’t wait long before going in the water. It was just another world loaded with wonderful things to see. Bicolored parrot fish, white tipped shark, king angel fish, Moorish idols, hawks billed turtles, razor fish and many other species just gave us a glimpse of the great treasure of this marine park.
We had to return for lunch and reposition our ship close to the ranger station. In the ranger station, some went for a little birding, others went back to snorkel. A lot of colorful birds gave them a nice show; some guests who decided to snorkel close to the station were rewarded with a lovely display of a big group of spotted eagle rays.
We didn’t want to return, but our trip had to continue. We had a spectacular day in this unspoiled paradise! Now, 120 nautical miles had to be sailed in order to reach our next destination, Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica.
The Sea Voyager had sailed all night through the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean in order to reach a lovely paradise. The sunrise began to reveal Panama’s pristine jewel, Coiba Island National Park! Being part of the Eastern Pacific Marine Corridor, Coiba Island stands as a symbol of conservation. It covers an extension of 271,000 hectares in which 52,000 hectares is main land and all the rest is marine area. It is here where we can find the second biggest coral reef of the Eastern Pacific. There is a lot to enjoy in this park.
For many years it was kept off limits for visitors since it was Panama’s Devil Island. Since 1919 thru 2004 it was used as a penal colony. When it was declared a National Park and protected by law in 2004, all the prisoners were relocated in other local jails. Some of the prisoners who had completed their time became Park rangers because of their experience and knowledge of the island biodiversity. Today, Coiba Island is patrolled by MarViva and the Panamanian Environmental Authority. They control the artesanal fishing and the shark finning as well as the environmental education programs of the area. They promote the conservation of this park since it plays an important role in the marine corridor. Other marine parks that are part of this corridor are Cocos Island in Costa Rica, Malpelo in Colombia and Galápagos in Ecuador. This allows several species of fish to travel safely through this corridor and reproduce.
Right after breakfast, we picked up our snorkeling and went ashore to enjoy all that was possible to see. We arrived to a little islet which its name made honor to all the richness found in it, “Granito de Oro,” which means “Little Grain of Gold.” Just as if it were taken from a Gary Larson comic, this islet is covered with white sand, a couple of palm trees, some shrubs and a big population of hermit crabs. We didn’t wait long before going in the water. It was just another world loaded with wonderful things to see. Bicolored parrot fish, white tipped shark, king angel fish, Moorish idols, hawks billed turtles, razor fish and many other species just gave us a glimpse of the great treasure of this marine park.
We had to return for lunch and reposition our ship close to the ranger station. In the ranger station, some went for a little birding, others went back to snorkel. A lot of colorful birds gave them a nice show; some guests who decided to snorkel close to the station were rewarded with a lovely display of a big group of spotted eagle rays.
We didn’t want to return, but our trip had to continue. We had a spectacular day in this unspoiled paradise! Now, 120 nautical miles had to be sailed in order to reach our next destination, Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica.
