Panama Gulf and Panama Canal, 1/20/2023, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today was our second day in Panamanian waters, and what a great day it was. In the morning, we cruised the rich waters of the Gulf of Panama with seabirds as our escorts. In the afternoon, we enjoyed the Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Federico Chacón, or “Fico” as he is better known by his friends, started guiding one-day nature tours on weekends and holidays at the age of 18 right at the time he started studies at the University of Costa Rica. It was just a part-time job, that wa...
Frank is a naturalist guide with a long career path involving his beloved Costa Rica. He grew up in Escazu, a small town surrounded by blue and green mountains in the Central Valley. His admiration for nature and wildlife turned him into an autodidac...
Our ship anchored off Coiba Island, Panama, early in the morning. The sun had just risen, casting a golden light over the dense rainforest. After a wonderful breakfast, we disembarked at the ranger station. Dividing into groups, some of us set off on a guided walk through the jungle, spotting scarlet macaws and other colorful birds in the trees adjacent to the ocean. Others chose to kayak or paddleboard along the mangrove-lined shores, gliding over the calm, clear water. By midday, we returned to the ship and cruised by Zodiacs toward Cocos Island, an uninhabited islet nearby. The staff prepared our snorkeling gear, and soon we were in the water, surrounded by schools of vibrant fish. The reef was teeming with life—parrotfish, angelfish, and even a few white-tip reef sharks moved gracefully among the coral. Sunlight filtered through the surface, illuminating the underwater world in dazzling colors. After an unforgettable afternoon, we returned to the ship, exhilarated by the day’s adventures. As the sun set, we looked back at the islands, grateful for the opportunity to explore such pristine and biodiverse waters.
Today National Geographic Quest anchored at Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge in Panama. The island offered a stunning beach with perfect shade, ideal for relaxation. Guests enjoyed the warm sands and the inviting waters, where snorkeling revealed vibrant fish and majestic sea turtles. The island was teeming with wildlife, including numerous iguanas basking in the sun. Above, thousands of frigatebirds soared gracefully through the skies. The day's activities allowed for both peaceful beach time and exciting underwater exploration, creating unforgettable experiences for everyone on board. A perfect balance of natural beauty and wildlife immersion, Iguana Island proved to be a highlight of our journey.
Our first day exploring the wonders of Panama began with a marvelous sunrise and the call of howler monkeys in the forest of Barro Colorado Island. After hearing this call of the wild, we were all excited to disembark right after breakfast. Today some of our guests had the opportunity to learn about the research being conducted in Barro Colorado, while other guests visited the Rainforest Discovery Center in the midpoint of the Panama Canal. The wildlife sightings left our guests mesmerized. On the island, which is run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, several scientists shared their research with our guests. In the Discovery Center, our guests enjoyed observing the behavior of different species of birds. Back on board, our guests shared their experiences and what they had learned from the naturalists. For the rest of the afternoon, we gathered in the lounge to learn some important facts about the canal and its future projects. Soon we met the Pilot of the Panama Canal Authority, and he guided us in completing our transit through the rest of the Panama Canal. What a great way to finish our first day exploring the wonders of Panama.
