When sailing in Panama, taking the course of Bocas del Toro sailing charters is a top choice. International travelers have only recently discovered this isolated region of Panama so much of the island chain remains pure and pristine. It is a newly discovered haven for diving, deep-sea fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, and other water activities. Long sandy deserted beaches also stretch along the islands.
Located on the northwest side of Panama on the Caribbean coast, Bocas del Toro lies near the Costa Rican border. Like the rest of Panama, nature has blessed Bocas with a steady weather condition. No hurricane has ever touched Bocas' shores.
The islands bear strong Caribbean influence from the former slaves who lived in the area after slavery was abolished in 1850. Jamaicans who came to islands in the 19th century further enriched the Caribbean culture. These immigrants are largely the reason why Bocas has become English-speaking province in a Spanish-speaking nation.
American baby boomers have been setting their sights in Bocas in the last few years. Triggering a real estate boom in the islands, these Americans have been buying beachfront lots for future vacation or retirement homes.
It is little wonder why busy Americans would love to have a piece of Bocas. The pace of life in the islands is slow and relaxed. Locals travel between the islands in dugout canoes, or pongas, that litter the waterways and channels.
But Bocas is also adapting to the tourist boom. The town now boasts of at least three different PADI dive shops, various restaurants, a deep sea fishing outfit, numerous sailboat and catamaran cruises, mountain bike and moped rentals and a lot of fabulous seafood. There are also different types of trip packages that may be arranged for visitors of the region.
One example of a popular day trip in Bocas takes place on a 34-foot catamaran, where tourists can see the deeply vegetated islands and coral reefs as they cruise throughout the archipelago. Along the way, they stop at different snorkeling and scuba diving spots. Their final destination is a secluded and deserted white sand beach on the island of Bastimentos.
There are many other options to sail the waters of Panama. Travelers can take small boats with one cabin for one to two people. They could also go for sport casual boats or monohull yachts that are crewed by a skipper and hostess. These services normally offer an all-inclusive package of open bar, seafood meals, excursions to shore for three days or more.
First time sailors can try comfort boats where they will cruise on board catamarans crewed by a skipper and hostess.
Other water activities that may done in Bocas include deep sea fishing and scuba diving. The province's rich waters give fishermen a bountiful catch of all sorts of fishes including lobster, sailfish, blue and black marlin, shark, barracuda, red snapper and snook.
Scuba diving in Bocas del Toro will bring you to one of most diverse waters in all of Central America. There are over two dozen different types of corals, hundreds of species of fish, kelp forests, shipwrecks, caves and reefs that you can find all within an hour of Bocas town.
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