Granito de Oro Island, Coiba National Park, Panamá.
This morning we woke up to our first day in Panama, with a wonderful sunrise over Coiba Island. The National Park Coiba is a group of islands that have 271,000 hectares, and only 51,000 are land. It was penal colony until 2004. The National Geographic Sea Lion anchored northwest off of a little gem call Granito de Oro island. This peaceful place with a lovely small white sand beach is not only protected by the government, but also by a lot of hermit crabs, who give us the hospitality to share this place with us.
Granito de Oro, has natural richness hidden underwater. We discovered more species of colorful, plentiful and tame fish in one snorkeling session than seemed impossible to believe.
Just after breakfast, the little island was occupied by our guests with their yellow and blue flippers, masks and snorkels. Our red and yellow kayaks set on the beach, inviting us to explore the marine resources than this paradise gave us. Underwater, hundreds of fishes pleased our eyes in their gardens and houses in the coral reef. We saw schools of jacks, damselfish, Moorish idol, surgeonfish, Guineafowl puffer, porcupine fish , Cornet fish, parrot fish, moray, and hidden in the bottom of the coral reef, the inoffensive White tipped reef shark looking at us with concern and admiration, just like we did in return.
Swimming in the white tipped reef Shark territories and kayaking was a highlight for many. On the other hand, a group of enthusiastic hikers went with Jose to explore a trail on the main island of Coiba. At noon after lunch on the National Geographic Sea Lion, we continued our journey deeper into Panama, heading towards our next destination in the Gulf of Panama.
