Goodbye Costa Rica, Hello Panama

With our new dinghy safely on the foredeck and provisions onboard, we set sail for Panama September 09, 2016. We launched from Puerto Jimenez and planned to head around the point to Puerto Armuelles, but we were making such good time with wind and waves in our favor (over 7 knots under sail) that we decided to push on to Isla Parida where we spent a beautiful night at anchor along the Western shore.

Isla Parida, Pacific Panama

Next morning Sirena pushed on to Isla Cavada in the Archipelago de Islas Secas where we happened upon our old friends from S/V Prism and S/V Oleata at anchor.

Isla Cavada in the Secas Archipelago, Pacific Panama

Here we stayed at anchor for several days, enjoying the serene island setting. There were many dive and snorkeling opportunities around the small islet across from our anchorage as well as along the Eastern shoreline.

One afternoon I took a hike around the island and found it to be nearly uninhabited with a small resort being remodeled on the SE side and a runway conveniently stretched across the middle of the island so guests could be flown in from the mainland in small aircraft. Not too many birds here, but I did see quite a few very large iguanas, and the views from atop the island were breathtaking!

Small resort being remodeled on Isla Cavada in the Secas islands, Panama

Nearby islets made for excellent diving sites but rain created cloudy water and jellyfish were present.

S/V Sirena at anchor next to S/V Prism and S/V Oleata off Isla Cavaada, Panama

Shoreline littered with dead coral is a testament to the warming ocean temperatures.