Panamá / San Blas Islands

The cruises in among the San Blas Islands are one or two week trips (we recommend two weeks). We are happy to consider date requests, if possible.

Where we sail

This cruise starts at the Atlantic gate of the Panama Canal, in Isla Grande more exactly at the Linton Bay Marina. Another starting point or end point is Cayos Limones in the west of the area.

We sail through the enchanting landscape and culture of Guna Yala (San Blas Islands). In this archipelago of more than 300 islands we can dive into untouched nature with JONATHAN III. If you wish, we can go on jungle hikes or take a dinghy into one of the rivers to experience the flair of subtropical jungle. We sail to palm-studded islands surrounded by powder-fine sandy beaches, most of which have a wonderful reef in front for snorkeling. There are no marinas, no supermarkets and no banks in Guna Yala – nothing that seems so important in our organized world. The realm of the Guna indigenous people, who call themselves Dule, is a territory autonomous from Panamá, with its own laws and traditions. Unlike the Aztecs, Incas and Mayas, the Dule survived the genocide of the Spanish conquerors. The cruise ends either in aCayos Limones or in Isla Grande at Linton Bay Marina.

Sabine provides for the physical well-being on board of the catamaran. She is a skipper herself and loves the Caribbean cuisine (see “Crew”). She is also happy to cook vegetarian meals on request. Skipper Karl Heinz “Carlos” with his eight Atlantic crossings and more than 200,000 nautical miles, probably one of the most experienced German-speaking catamaran sailors, is responsible for safe sailing pleasure. He lived in Cuba for more than three years and speaks fluent Spanish.

He has been involved in social projects with the indigenous people for many years. For this reason he knows a lot of chiefs and is welcome in the island villages.

A Journey in San Blas Islands:

• Day 1: Check-in on board at noon and getting acquainted with the crew. Ship and safety briefing. Early afternoon departure to the first anchorage. Wonderful sailing, anchoring in front of one of the 400 islands and frying self-caught fish are the highlights today.
• Day 2: In the morning we lift the anchor and sail past the enchanting islands to Waisaladup. This is one of the islands in the archipelago where snorkeling is especially good.
• Day 3: We visit the island village of Uwargandup. There lives our longtime friend Senor “Guti”. He will show us his art of building kayukos (dugout canoes) from trees, which are the typical Indio canoes that are also sailed. Here we will learn something of the Inidgen culture. Afterwards we sail with Jonathan in front of one of the palm-covered islands and let the soul dangle.
• Day 4: In case of good sailing weather we sail to the north side of Puyades Island. It is a bit of a thrill to sail flanked by the reefs behind the outer reef. There you lie as if in “mother’s womb”. If the weather doesn’t allow it, we sail on to Snug Harbour. This protected bay has already been described by the famous pirate Sir Francis Drake, who attacked and robbed the Spaniards from here.
• Day 5: We walk around the island on its southeast side lives Paco. He looks after the coconut palm island and always has fresh coconuts with “manzana” (that is the very young, intensely tasting coconut kernel) ready for us. If we could lure a fish to the fishing rod or buy lobsters from the indigenous people, today’s program is Beach BBQ, that is “grilling on the beach”.
• Day 6: We take the opportunity that there is a small Guna “resort” north of Playon Chico. Here we can try the local cuisine and go for dinner.
• Day 7: Check-out in the morning until 10:00 am.

Subject to changes.

Arrival

Departure from Germany, Austria and Switzerland with LUFTHANSA, IBERIA, Air France, KLM directly to Panamá (or with United via USA). We are happy to assist you with flight bookings. Or you can contact a travel agency you trust.

In Panamá City at the airport you will board a cab bus (we will gladly organize this for you if you wish) and check in at JONATHAN the same evening. Helping hands will bring your luggage on deck. Now it’s time for a welcome drink!