Isla Coiba National Park
I awoke this morning to the sound of rain pattering above on the Lido Deck. We had cruised all night to our morning anchorage at Isla Coiba National Park, the third largest marine park in the world, comprising of Panama’s largest island of the same name plus several smaller satellite islands that surround it. Our plan for the day: to stop first on Granito de Oro (“Little Grain of Gold”) for snorkeling and kayaking, then reposition to Isla Coiba, the main island with a small park headquarters and research station, for a beach barbeque followed by more snorkeling, kayaking, walks, and lazing about in hammocks.
Were we prepared to explore this beautiful area in the rain? Absolutely. However while we ate breakfast and the crew lowered Zodiacs and kayaks to the water, the rain subsided and left us with another amazing beach day... slightly overcast with some sun shining through this morning, then opening up to mostly sunny and blue skies in the afternoon. Glorious!
The view of Granito de Oro from the ship was like a tiny Gilligan’s Island. We traveled through aquamarine waters, landed on sandy white beaches, and were welcomed by a committee of hermit crabs in various sizes and colors. How funny to watch them crawl forwards and sideways. When they detected we were watching or approaching they’d pull all their legs in and pretend to be stationary shells. Our Expedition Leader Bernal drew a circle in the sand, had each child pick up a hermit crab, and place it in the center to see who’s made it to the outer edge of the circle first. Hermit Crab Races! Snorkelers, swimmers and kayakers were rewarded with sightings of many fish, reef sharks, turtles, and even some dolphins.
At midday we repositioned to the main island of Coiba. Rather than towing or reloading the kayaks onto the National Geographic Sea Lion, volunteers power-paddled them to our beach barbeque. Thank you Hotel Manager Erasmo and crew for a delicious meal! During the afternoon we explored this larger island, again launching kayaks, snorkeling and swimming, and going for short walks, especially to see the resident crocodile “Tito” on the opposite shore, and the unique monkey species, the Coiba Howler monkey.
What a beautiful way to say farewell to Panama. Tomorrow we wake up in Costa Rica!
