A once in a life adventure: the Caribbean sea, the Panama Canal crossing and the Pacific Pearl Islands aboard a same sailing boat.
A unique opportunity to transit the Panama Canal from ocean to ocean and sail two of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world, The Pearl Islands in the Pacific and the San Blas Islands in the Atlantic. There’s no better way to re-discover the wonders of nature and the human world than our Panama Canal 2 Oceans Cruise.
DAY 1: PICK UP – TRANSFER – FLIGHT TO SAN BLAS – WELCOME ABOARD – RIVER AND VILLAGE VISIT
pick up hotel 07:00 am – flight to San blas 08:00 am – landing in San blas Corazon de Jesus 08:45 am- boarding boat 09:00 am
Visit of the village and upstream river Diablo with local large canoe.
One of this islands and your first anchorage is Isla Verde located few miles at the north-west, but far from any hotels or crowded beaches.
DAYS 2 TO 7: FULL SAN BLAS SAILING CRUISE
Cayos Coco Bandero & Cayos Holandeses, San Blas
Coco Bandero is a set of tiny idyllic islands located at the northwest of Isla Verde. Protected by a 4 miles outer coral reef barrier, Coco Bandero is one of the most comfortable anchorages in San Blas.
Cayos Hollandes is a group of 21 uninhabited islands located at the north part of the archipelago. This group of islands is protected by a 7 miles coral reef barrier. Since this chain of islands is far from mainland the waters are transparent nearly year round.
DAY 8: 40 NM BLUE WATER SAIL FROM SAN BLAS TO LINTON
6 – 7 hour sail from San Blas, Isla Grande is a popular island for tourists; its main beach has some small hotels and huts. Populated mainly by afro-Caribbean-descendants, Isla Grande has a few dozens of restaurants where the main dishes are based on seafood and Afro-Caribbean-food (out of board meals are not included).
DAY 9: VISIT OF THE LINTON BAY AREA
Linton, an abandoned island, except for a few spider monkey families. The captain will take you, with the dinghy to the “Love Canal”, a natural passage across a mangrove near Linton. Night at Linton bay (roaring monkeys can be heard). Good restaurant at Panamarina (accessible by dinghy)
DAY 10: HISTORICAL VISIT OF PORTOBELO & ITS BLACK CHRIST CHURCH
Sail to Portobelo for a quick visit of this village famous for the Black Christ and World Heritage Site founded in 1597 as a port city. Portobelo was fortified to prevent the constant attacks of privateers and pirates: William Parker in 1601 and Henry Morgan in 1668. Then sail to Shelter Bay marina Colon. Night at marina.
DAY 11-12: PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT – GATUN LAKE
It takes two days. First day the 3 locks of Gatun to get to the Gatun lake: ascending 26 meter in 3 different chambers, to enter the Gatun Lake, an artificial body of water created between the 1907 and 1913. At that time, the Gatun Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world. Boat moors for the night on the lake. Mooring in the lake Gatun is a unique experience.
Second day, sail the Gatun lake
And pass through “Corte Culebra” or Gaillard Cut, an artificial valley that cuts through the continent. Digging this valley was the hardest part of the whole construction. Death, deceases and several landslides during the excavation caused financial problems that led to the collapse of The French Canal in 1903.
Cross under the Panama Canal – Centennial Bridge. A few hours later you will reach Pedro Miguel Locks where the boat will descent 10 meters in 1 chamber to get to Miraflores Lake, the second artificial body of water at the Canal.
Mooring in front of Panama City – Evening : supply of the boat while guests enjoy the Amador cause way. Great restaurants with a wonderful view on the modern city. Also, possibility to make a “break” at night in the colonial quarter.
DAY 13: VISIT OF PANAMA CITY COLONIAL QUARTER
While boat make the necessary fueling and supplying
DAY 14-18: THE GREAT PEARL ISLANDS TOUR
Great fishing and whale watching (most from July through September)
Experience all the incredible natural surroundings, including beach walks, hiking expeditions, whale watching (strong chances from July to October) and world-class fishing. Trekking on many islands. Scuba diving local clubs.
