Isla Bona is a small unihabited island in the Golfo de Panama due south of Panama City , near the island of Otoque. Bona has huge bird colonies which its larger neighbour lacks, because a fishing village there has introduced domestic predators such as dogs, cats and rats.
From DIBs launched frtom the stern of Sea Lion, we were able to get close to Bona where we saw close-up brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds and blue footed boobies in great numbers, plus quite a number of crabs! Conditions were very windy and quite rough, but we managed to keep our cameras fairly dry if not ourselves. Eric, our DIB pilot, skillfully manoeuvred the DIB to give us good close up views allowing naturalist Margrit to give excellent commentary. It was an excellent if wind-blown and splashy outing, and some nice photos follow.
Brown Booby.
Cheerful bunch of fellow expeditioners in their DIB.
Female magnificent frigatebird.
Male magnificent frigatebird.
Great interest in this fishing boat.
Here's where we clamber up onto the Sea Lion from the DIBs.
Isla Iguana
Weather was perfect as we headed just west of south to cross the Golfo de Panama, so we could round the Peninsula de Azuero and head west towards Costa Rica. Many passengers took the opportunity to read and sunbake. Dolphins enjoyed this long journey too, and we saw many chasing the Sea Lion and surfing in its bow wave.
Isla Iguana is a tiny island on the way, only a spot on the map, and we stopped there for an afternoon's R&R. The Sea Lion can only visit here a high tide. Windy and rough, there was a lot of spray and a wet landing, but luckily we were all equipped for swimming, so no harm done.
There is a very pleasant, sandy beach (with lots of tiny hermit crabs scampering around) where we swam, and a small reef 100m offshore to practice our snorkelling. The swimming was delightful on this hot day, the snorkelling was hampered by not very clear water and not many fish either. Everyone learned how to use their gear though.
Lindblad probably get into trouble if they lose anyone, so they enforce strong safety precautions on the beach. Whenever anyone is in the water, there is a lifeguard waist deep, and there's a safety DIB on duty patrolling the snorkellers.
Washed up on Isla Iguana.
What made this location fascinating was the hundreds of magnificent frigate birds swirling overhead, taking advantage of the strong breeze. The ship's doctor, who doubles as a resident orntithologist, tried to count the birds aloft, reckoning on about 500. There is a rookery behind the dunes.
Coiba National Park
After an overnight passage, we called into Coiba National Park. This is newly declared, and the only bigger marine national parks are the Great Barrier Reef Park and Galapagos National Park. Lindblad need a permit to visit here.
Some little boat had beaten us to our intended morning destination, so we scuttled off to Rancheria Beach for the morning. This proved to be an idyllic location, we swam, kayaked and stand-up paddle boarded.
Taking to the stand-up paddle board like a pro, at Isla Rancheria.
View of the white Isla Rancheria beach from a kayak.
Chilling out at Isla Rancheria.
Boats on the beach.
In the afternoon we scooted (maybe 2km) to a tiny island, Granito de Oro, a little grain of gold. It lived up to its name. The snorkelling here was fabulous, indeed its website claims Granito to be one of the 10 best dive sites in the world. Regardless, the water was crystal clear, the fish were varied, and it was maybe 2-3m deep. We were able to snorked right around the little island.
Hundreds of Panamic Sergeant Majors at Granito de Oro.
Bicolor Parrotfish.
Unknown fish species at Granito de Oro.
Moorish Idol.
Coming bcak from Granito de Oro. Later, that sand seemed to be completely underwater.
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