Monkey Island Tours • Panama Canal Adventure

Monkey Island is located at Gatun Lake in the valley of the Chagres river between Panama and Colon Provinces in the Republic of Panama.

 

 

Its surface area is 164 square miles. Gatun lake is the second largest artificial man-made lake in the world. This lake was created in 1907 and took 6 years to flood. It was created to help the transit of ships across the isthmus. This lake is the reservoir of water needed for the operation of the Panama Canal. It is surrounded by nature and history everywhere – the flora and fauna makes this place a must-see while visiting Panama.

You can take a boat tour through the Panama Canal into secret waterways to find hidden islands where Capuchin and Howler monkeys can be seen leaping in the trees above. Occasionally, they become curious of visitors and venture down to take a closer look.
A Panama Canal tour provides a unique opportunity for viewing wild monkeys in their natural habitat. Other animals you might spot on this tour includes Two and Three-toed Sloths, Crocodiles, and turtles that are native to Gatun Lake.

The boat ride to and from the island passes through the Panama Canal, giving you the chance to spot huge container ships during their passage across the world.

Whale watching in Panama • Now is the season

When one thinks of whale watching, places like Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, New England, even Dominican Republic, Australia and Tonga instantly come to mind. But, few ever think of Panama as a whale watching destination, but it is actually a mecca for Humpback whales.

Along with Costa Rica, Panama is the only place in the world where Humpback whales migrate from both the Southern and Northern hemispheres to breed and give birth. During the months of July to October there are several thousand Humpback whales that travel over 5,000 miles, (the longest migration known by a mammal) from Antarctica to the warm, shallow and safe calving grounds on the Pacific side of Panama. From December to March, Panama receives a few hundred Humpback whales from North America for the same reason, which gives the waters off Panama seven months of Humpback whale activity.

Beyond the well-known Panama Canal, there is a country with one of the largest biodiversities in the world, with 975 species of birds, making it a bird watcher’s paradise. National parks cover 30 per cent of the country. Exploration of this verdant country uncovers lush virgin rainforests, two oceans only 50 miles apart, cute mountain towns, coffee plantations, canopy zip line attractions, river rafting, big game sport fishing and three unique island archipelagos. It is home to seven unique indigenous populations, and several UNESCO world heritage sites.

Panama is also a haven for over 30 species of cetaceans, (whales and dolphins) that are found in its waters. The most common are the year round populations of Pantropical Spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, and the Humpback whales during their breeding seasons. Other species that are occasionally seen are Spinner dolphins, Long Beaked Common dolphins, Bryde’s whales, Sperm whales, Pilot whales, Blue whales and even Orca whales. The dolphins and Humpback whales are so prevalent they can even be seen among all the ships at anchor waiting to transit the world famous Panama Canal in front of Panama City.

It is very easy to find the whales and dolphins during the peak Humpback season, July-October. Whale Watching Panama, the only dedicated Whale Watching tour operator in the country, boasts a 99 per cent whale sighting record in the Pearl islands, 35 miles South of Panama City. The Pearl islands are easily accessible by a one-day tour from Panama City. Located just 12 miles from the canal entrance sits Isla Taboga, which offers a 75-80 per cent success rate of Humpback whale sightings.

One of the great advantages to whale watching in Panama is the enjoyment of often being the only boat on the water viewing the whales. The whale watching boats take no more than 10-15 people at a time, ensuring everyone a fantastic view of the animals at all times.

Another fun aspect about whale watching in Panama is the climate. Many whale watching destinations around the world are quite cold, but in Panama, you can whale watch in a T-shirt and shorts, and even stop if you get too hot for a refreshing dip in the 80◦ F waters.

Whale Watching Panama pioneered the business of Whale Watching in Panama, after it’s founder, Anne Gordon de Barrigón, went on weekend trip one February in 2008 to Contadora island in the Pearl islands. She hired a local fisherman to take her out to find some dolphins. In no time they found about 40 Spotted dolphins and four Humpback whales. Anne was already involved in tourism, running cultural tours to her husband’s Emberá Indian village in the rain forest of Panama. She quickly realised if the dolphins and whales were so easy to find, even out of the peak whale season, this would be a great tour option to offer.

Anne and the Whale Watching Panama expert naturalist guides are Ambassador members of Planet Whale, a global platform for responsible whale and dolphin tour operators around the world. If you are looking for a unique, beautiful and uncrowded destination for observing whales and dolphins, be sure to place Panama at the top of your list.
By Anne Gordon de Barrigón
www.WhaleWatchingPanama.com, Anne@WhaleWatchingPanama.com
To book a tour: Ellie@WhaleWatchingPanama.com
http://caymannetnews.com/2013/07/25/whale-watching-a-fascinating-pastime-in-panama/

Lake Gatún Peacock Bass Fishing Trip

Lake Gatún, Arenosa, Panamá, S.A.
Story by Kevin
Photos by Mike & Kevin

Lake Gatún (Lago Gatún) was created between 1907-1913, by the building of Gatun Dam.  During its creation, Lake Gatún was the largest man made lake in the world. As an integral part of the Panama Canal, which forms a freshwater bridge between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Lake Gatún carries ships through the Isthmus of Panama. 

To this day there are areas that have been virtually untouched by humans.  The area flooded in the creation of Lake Gatún  encompasses approximately 200 square miles, a vast area with unfathomable opportunities for sport fishing.  

My fishing buddies and I had high hopes of catching multiple Peacock Bass during our fishing adventure at Lake Gatún. Arriving at Arenosa, a small village about 45 miles from Panama City located on the western end of Lake Gatún, our guide was waiting with a 24 foot pontoon boat ready for an unforgettable fishing trip (driving directions & map). We jumped aboard and set off to catch buckets full of fish. Luckily our captain knew his way around the lake and managed to maneuver around all of the former jungles tree stumps.

Arriving to our first fishing hole, we threw our lines into the lake. Two fish immediately caught on the first cast, catching 5 or 6 Peacock Bass in just 10 minutes time. Our captain had us bring in the lines . . . off to the next fishing hole. 

With our lines back in the water, WHAM! 10 more fish in just about 10 minutes. What a great time! With so much action on the fishing poles, everyone had a great time.  And, if no fish were caught within the first 5 minutes of fishing, then our captain whisked us off to another location.

This went on all day. 10 different fishing holes, we caught fish every spot!
Needless to say, the day spent fishing for Peacock Bass went by very fast.  Fun was had by all.  We will defiantly be back for more!
Our guide we used has a dedicated website at: http://pesca-arenosa.weebly.com/.  I highly recommend them.

Related Article: Fishing in Santa Catalina
Kevin
www.UncoverPanama.com

Fishing in Santa Catalina

Written by Kevin Rowe
www.UncoverPanama.com
Santa Catalina is located on the Pacific Coast of Veraguas providence. Best known for incredible surfing and diving, Santa Catalina attracts surfers and divers from all over the globe. It is most comparable to Oahu’s own Sunset Beach. The aquatic life along Isla Coiba is not short of amazing.

Enough about surfing and diving! I traveled to Santa Catalina to go fishing. I have heard many fishing tales of endless catches on fishing trips in this area.  So my wife, son and I embarked on a road trip to the beautiful island town of Santa Catalina. I live in the Cocle Provence, approximately a 4 hour drive to Santa Catalina. That is if you don’t stop at Santiago for last-minute shopping (Santiago is the third largest city in Panama). 

From Santiago we headed south to the city of Sona. The scenery along the way was incredible; rolling hills, green pastors and grazing cattle as far as the eye can see. It reminded me a bit of my home in Idaho, USA. With the exception of all of the palm trees, not many palm trees in Idaho. 

My family and I reached Sona just in time for lunch. We came upon a roadside open BBQ stand, with two items on the menu: chicken or pork. Both cook on a 55 gallon drum barrel.  My wife had the chicken. My son and I had the pork. The food was good and the price was even better.

On the road again, next stop Santa Catalina! Arriving at our destination, we soon discovered that Santa Catalina is a small-island town consisting of a local market and a few small hotels and hostels. We previously made reservations at hotel Sol y Mar. A vehicle with four-wheel drive is needed it to get up the hill to the living cabins. Sol y Mar (Sun and Ocean) is on the edge of town. Cabins include air-conditioning, cable TV and exquisite sea views.

Now to the fishing! Up at 6:00 am to pack a lunch for our fishing trip, we headed to the beach where Capitan David was ready and waiting for us. On the boat we headed towards the Isla Coiba. Just a half-mile offshore the water turned to a deep royal blue. It was a perfect day, plenty of sunshine, no wind and flat calm waters. Trolling along, the scenery is breathtaking.
Just an hour into the fishing trip, we spotted dolphins playing and following along side the boat. Typically when you find dolphins, you will find fish, but keeping up with the dolphins is difficult they can disappear in the blink of an eye. After fishing for about an hour and not having much luck . . . not even a bite. Another hour passes; again nothing! Then we spot the dolphins jumping just in front of us along accompanied by Amberjacks. WHAM! Both polls strike and the reels start singing. We run to the back of the boat and start reeling in the fish.

Finally land both fish, each Amberjacks weighing around 20 lbs. All excited we quickly get our pole back in the water, looking for the dolphins again. They are no where to be found. Back to trolling, watching for the dolphins that were never seen again. No more fish that day, but as the old saying goes, “the worst day of fishing is still better than any day working.”