Panama Bay Islands and Panama Canal
After some beautiful snorkeling in Coiba Island we sailed 190 nautical miles to the rich waters of the Panama Gulf. We woke up today heading inside the Gulf of Panama, once there we anchored on the lee side of Otoque Island. Otoque, Bona and Estiva Islands are three islets that offer a fantastic chance for marine bird watching. We headed out on our Zodiacs to enjoy the fantastic rocky and tall ledges draped with epiphytic cacti and bird guano. These islets provide perfect nesting site for large numbers of magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, brown boobies and even some blue-footed boobies. We were out there taking advantage of our opportunity to commune with nature that our Zodiacs provide for us.
Later, after swimming for the last time off of the stern of the ship, we began sailing 22 miles towards the Panama Canal entrance. While sitting by the bridge looking for marine life, one minute after our Hotel manager announced lunch, we spotted three Bryde’s whales! One cow, a calf and a solitary individual gave us an unusual scene. After several outings, our mammalian friends went on with their mission and so did we. We went back to enjoying our lunch as we continued to the Panama Canal entrance.
Later that afternoon, our pilot came on board the Sea Voyager and we started the mesmerizing experience of going through the the Miraflores Locks between two gigantic container ships. Then it was on to bed, hoping that tomorrow will deliver as many surprises as the rest of this week has done.
After some beautiful snorkeling in Coiba Island we sailed 190 nautical miles to the rich waters of the Panama Gulf. We woke up today heading inside the Gulf of Panama, once there we anchored on the lee side of Otoque Island. Otoque, Bona and Estiva Islands are three islets that offer a fantastic chance for marine bird watching. We headed out on our Zodiacs to enjoy the fantastic rocky and tall ledges draped with epiphytic cacti and bird guano. These islets provide perfect nesting site for large numbers of magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, brown boobies and even some blue-footed boobies. We were out there taking advantage of our opportunity to commune with nature that our Zodiacs provide for us.
Later, after swimming for the last time off of the stern of the ship, we began sailing 22 miles towards the Panama Canal entrance. While sitting by the bridge looking for marine life, one minute after our Hotel manager announced lunch, we spotted three Bryde’s whales! One cow, a calf and a solitary individual gave us an unusual scene. After several outings, our mammalian friends went on with their mission and so did we. We went back to enjoying our lunch as we continued to the Panama Canal entrance.
Later that afternoon, our pilot came on board the Sea Voyager and we started the mesmerizing experience of going through the the Miraflores Locks between two gigantic container ships. Then it was on to bed, hoping that tomorrow will deliver as many surprises as the rest of this week has done.
