Granito de Oro Islet, Coiba National Park, 12/6/2017, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
It was our first day in Panama and already time for snorkeling in Granito de Oro, one of the best spots in the region for snorkeling. The water was very clear. The tide was low and the day was not too hot. Perfect conditions.
Known for his passion for nature and dedication to conservation and ecotourism, Max Vindas has been guiding natural history trips in Costa Rica since 1993. On his first trip to the rainforest at age eight, Max realized his love for the outdoors and w...
Nicknamed “Indio” (Indian) because of his powers of observation and quiet nature, José has almost two decades of experience working as a naturalist and photography guide; as well as being recognized as an expert birder and nature photographer in Cost...
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Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge was created and protected by law around 1981. This is a 53-hectare wildlife reserve that has 13 hectares of dry tropical rainforest surrounded with a 40 hectare of coral reefs. There is also a large colony of frigatebirds that use this island as an important nesting area. Our guests took the opportunity to explore this refuge with our naturalists and as they did, they passed the nesting area of the frigatebirds. Several males had their gular pouches inflated and were expecting to soon be joined by females. After walks around the premises, we grabbed our gear and went snorkeling. The coral reef that surrounds the islands has over 17 species of coral and a bit more than 340 species of fish. Not only were fish found, but also hawk-billed sea turtles. There was so much to see along the beach, too. A pair of American oystercatchers were found guarding their nest. Two eggs were eagerly protected by their parents. We returned on board and during cocktail hour, we shared our thoughts about the marvelous day we had spent in the wildlife refuge.
After a fantastic crossing of the Gatun Locks, we awoke by Barro Colorado Island (BCI), one of the most researched forests in the tropical world. The island has been administrated by the Smithsonian Institute since the 1940s, becoming the mecca of the most updated data on tropical ecosystems. Gatun Lake is the heart of the Panama Canal, and without this 164 square-miles of water, the canal would not have around 42 transits a day. The lake was created by floating the Gatun and the Chagres rivers, with many towns moved to other areas. A large area of land and forest were covered in water, making all the hilltops of this valley into islands. In the morning we walked the forest, and in the afternoon we cruised the lake. It was a parade of animals. We saw howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys, and as an extra bonus, one of the smallest monkeys in the tropics, Geoffroy’s tamarind. For the bird lovers, we saw several snail kites, toucans, guans, and many more.
Within the Panama Canal, there are countless opportunities to visit places with excellent wildlife viewing. Gatun Lake was once a massive valley with jungles, and after it became flooded for the navigation of ships, the hills and mountains turned into islands. These Islands are now mature forests, with their own unique ecosystems. Here in Gatun Lake, National Geographic Quest can anchor right next to Barro Colorado Island where we can explore the jungle by foot. We can also ride local boats to Gamboa for another chance to view wildlife and go atop a towering viewing platform over the canopy.
