This morning, we began our exploration by walking the trails of Dolphin Quest Reserve, an ex-cacao farm turned conservation project that now practices rural tourism. Some guests participated in a forest walk while others decided to explore the property. In the afternoon, we repositioned National Geographic Quest in Golfito, a former banana harbor. Some guests explored by kayak and others enjoyed a Zodiac tour to visit the mangroves. It was a beautiful day. We had the chance to see scarlet macaws, toucans, wrens and tanagers. We also saw all four species of Costa Rica’s monkeys. When we came back from our exploration, bartenders offered mojitos to guests in the ship’s fantail. We ended the day by sailing toward Panama. We left behind us the mountains that surround Golfo Dulce, a beautiful gulf.
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.
