Coiba National Park
As night passed, we left Costa Rica and entered the waters of Panama. We were allowed to “sleep in” this morning – until 7:00 am. We spent the morning at Isla Granita del Oro, which is off the coast of Isla Coiba. After packing up our kayaks and snorkel gear the Sea Voyager weighed anchor, and we were off for an afternoon of sailing and searching for marine life.
A veritable cornucopia of life was to be had. There were enough ridleys and green sea turtles, yellow-bellied sea snakes, mobulas, jumping needlefish, a red tide, and a lemon shark to keep us entertained all afternoon. The stars of the day ended up being groups of pantropic spotted dolphins, which intermittently visited us all afternoon.
The pantropic spotted dolphin is found in the equatorial zone all around the world, and can be identified by its dark patterning that is speckled with spots and white “lips.” A highly active dolphin, it can often be found bow riding – literally surfing on the pressure wave created by the force of the ship pushing through the water.
As night passed, we left Costa Rica and entered the waters of Panama. We were allowed to “sleep in” this morning – until 7:00 am. We spent the morning at Isla Granita del Oro, which is off the coast of Isla Coiba. After packing up our kayaks and snorkel gear the Sea Voyager weighed anchor, and we were off for an afternoon of sailing and searching for marine life.
A veritable cornucopia of life was to be had. There were enough ridleys and green sea turtles, yellow-bellied sea snakes, mobulas, jumping needlefish, a red tide, and a lemon shark to keep us entertained all afternoon. The stars of the day ended up being groups of pantropic spotted dolphins, which intermittently visited us all afternoon.
The pantropic spotted dolphin is found in the equatorial zone all around the world, and can be identified by its dark patterning that is speckled with spots and white “lips.” A highly active dolphin, it can often be found bow riding – literally surfing on the pressure wave created by the force of the ship pushing through the water.
