Revisiting
With the canal transit behind us, we are doing our best to soak in as many of the sites of Panama that we can before we head offshore tomorrow. Our initial destination, before we sail on to the Galapagos, are the Las Perlas, the Pearl Islands. This spot is particularly interesting to me as I just realized that I have visited one of the islands before!
Twenty or so years ago, shortly after I had moved to Kingston, several of the martial arts schools in our organization were in the habit of scheduling annual trips to tropical destinations. These “retreats” were meant to be a time when students and instructors could get away, to train, relax, and explore. Only just the other day did I come to realize that one of the destinations that we visited was Contadora Island, one of the islands in the Las Perlas group. The truth is, I haven’t thought of that trip in quite some time. It’s worth noting that this all took place quite a bit prior to the time when everyone 10 years of age and up had a camera phone. In fact, I think whatever evidence existed from that trip was recorded on VHS tapes, shot on one of those large cameras that people held on their shoulders. Funny to think of, I know. Anyway, it will be a fun place to revisit.
If you revisit Contadora, the moorings on the south side of the island are apparently free. At least no one approached us or asked for money, and our inquires just got shrugs. Good to know, as the bottom is rock with a little sand and rubble, not good holding at all. The only good holding is off the nude beach in the SE corner. If the weather gets rough, the best anchorage is at Isla Bayoneta, 360 degree protection in soft mud. But mind the 15 ft tides. I use a free app, Global Tides that has worldwide coverage and has been very accurate so far. While connected to the internet, you can set a favorites pin anywhere, and then it will give you tides for that location even when you are offline. Also the best times to fish, which we use for snorkling, since there are only fish to look at, no coral. I think it is an Android only app though.
On your way out of Las Perlas, try to stop for a brief time at Isla San Telmo in the very south. There is a wreck there of the first working submarine, originally planned for the Union in the US civil war, but never used and finally used for pearl diving. There’s a fascinating video at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e8AZ0dJXe6Q, and the approximate location is 8 16.91N, 78 50.744W. The wreck is visible at low tide, and only 20 ft down at high tide, so snorkling is easy, but the visibility is not great.
We actually tried to stop at the sub but the conditions weren’t favorable. 🙁
So how far are you going with Two Fish? What’s beyond the Galapagos?
Just to the Galapagos although it would have been fun to continue on past that point with them.
Mike!
Contadora, only (and best!) nude beach in the eastern Pacific. We spent a wonderful week there last year. ****Just sayin***
W & D
Thanks for the intel. 😉