Today National Geographic Quest was awakened next to the famous Barra del Colorado Island run by the Smithsonian Institute in the Gatun Lake. Our guests had the opportunity to hike with local experts on the island research station, take Zodiac trips around the island’s perimeter or travel by panga and then by bus to the Rainforest Discovery Center where guests scaled the 100 foot observation tower for an opportunity to witness the different levels of the rainforest as well as observe several species of hummingbirds at the feeders. After lunch we completed the canal passage to the Caribbean at daytime, a perfect contrast to yesterday’s pacific nighttime passage.
1/19/2025
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National Geographic Quest
Coiba and Cocos Islands, Panama
Our ship anchored off Coiba Island, Panama, early in the morning. The sun had just risen, casting a golden light over the dense rainforest. After a wonderful breakfast, we disembarked at the ranger station. Dividing into groups, some of us set off on a guided walk through the jungle, spotting scarlet macaws and other colorful birds in the trees adjacent to the ocean. Others chose to kayak or paddleboard along the mangrove-lined shores, gliding over the calm, clear water. By midday, we returned to the ship and cruised by Zodiacs toward Cocos Island, an uninhabited islet nearby. The staff prepared our snorkeling gear, and soon we were in the water, surrounded by schools of vibrant fish. The reef was teeming with life—parrotfish, angelfish, and even a few white-tip reef sharks moved gracefully among the coral. Sunlight filtered through the surface, illuminating the underwater world in dazzling colors. After an unforgettable afternoon, we returned to the ship, exhilarated by the day’s adventures. As the sun set, we looked back at the islands, grateful for the opportunity to explore such pristine and biodiverse waters.
