Granito de Oro, Coiba Island, Panama
This morning we woke up outside of Panama’s own Devil’s Island. Until a few years ago the island of Coiba was a penal colony; nowadays it is the newest National Park in the country, and with a surface area of 270,125 hectares, it is the world’s fourth largest marine park.
Right after breakfast many of us went on a hike through the Monkey’s Trail on the main island of Coiba; this trail was made several years ago especially for Lindblad Expeditions by one of the former inmates. Walking on a seasonally dried creek and up the slope of the trail we were met by large woody vines or lianas, a slim vine snake, many bird songs, and giant chicle, monkey pot, and stinking toe trees. The hike was a wonderful appetizer for the warm waters of a Pacific Ocean island.
Those of us who decided to stay with the second option for this morning, were in the water to enjoy the various activities. Our Zodiacs took us on to a small island called “Granito de Oro”, or the little grain of gold. Literally, the island was barely larger than our ship. But what it did not offer in size, it offered in quality! Kayaking, swimming, hermit crab races, sand castle building, laying on the beach, and of course the number one attraction, snorkeling were at hand! The Snorkelers were surprised with more than fifty species of fish: Guinea fowl puffer, spotted sharp-nose puffer, orange-sided triggerfish, Crevalle jack, Moorish idol, barber fish, jewel moray, spotted snake eel, and many others.
Back to the ship for lunch for a long afternoon cruising towards the eastern side of Panama, towards our next destination: the Panama Canal. While cruising, only those who were patient enough to stand watch at the bow, got to see several marine animals: yellow-bellied sea snakes, hawksbill sea turtle, flying fish, and Pantropical spotted dolphins.
This morning we woke up outside of Panama’s own Devil’s Island. Until a few years ago the island of Coiba was a penal colony; nowadays it is the newest National Park in the country, and with a surface area of 270,125 hectares, it is the world’s fourth largest marine park.
Right after breakfast many of us went on a hike through the Monkey’s Trail on the main island of Coiba; this trail was made several years ago especially for Lindblad Expeditions by one of the former inmates. Walking on a seasonally dried creek and up the slope of the trail we were met by large woody vines or lianas, a slim vine snake, many bird songs, and giant chicle, monkey pot, and stinking toe trees. The hike was a wonderful appetizer for the warm waters of a Pacific Ocean island.
Those of us who decided to stay with the second option for this morning, were in the water to enjoy the various activities. Our Zodiacs took us on to a small island called “Granito de Oro”, or the little grain of gold. Literally, the island was barely larger than our ship. But what it did not offer in size, it offered in quality! Kayaking, swimming, hermit crab races, sand castle building, laying on the beach, and of course the number one attraction, snorkeling were at hand! The Snorkelers were surprised with more than fifty species of fish: Guinea fowl puffer, spotted sharp-nose puffer, orange-sided triggerfish, Crevalle jack, Moorish idol, barber fish, jewel moray, spotted snake eel, and many others.
Back to the ship for lunch for a long afternoon cruising towards the eastern side of Panama, towards our next destination: the Panama Canal. While cruising, only those who were patient enough to stand watch at the bow, got to see several marine animals: yellow-bellied sea snakes, hawksbill sea turtle, flying fish, and Pantropical spotted dolphins.
