We finally made it to the San Blas Islands, or as the locals prefer, Guna Land in Panama. Guna Land is made up of 365 Islands with all of them worth exploring. These Islands are what Cindy and I signed up for when we bought Remission. This place is the South Pacific of the Caribbean. We so far have been to 5 anchorages and you would have thought we made landfall in 5 different countries. Our first was Cayos Chimchee, the Western Most anchorage in Guna Land. This anchorage is a little inlet between 2 islands. Very popular with the Day Trip Crowd down from Panama City. Great beach with a little restaurant and bar.
We explored the 2 islands to get our first tropical experience is quite a while. Next up was Cayos Hallande. When you think of beautiful beaches this is what you would wish. Within 20 meters of Remission was some of the best snorkeling we have ever done in the Caribbean, but the best part was the magnificent beach. With 6 Crusing yachts in the anchorage a beach party, of course, broke out that lasted well into the night with a huge bonfire. But in our opinion sadly a French Cruise Ship showed up the 3rd day with hundreds of new beachgoers so it was time to move on… Then we were looking for the Swimming Pool Anchorage but somehow ended up in Cayo Banderos.
This little 3 island spot became a favorite. One of the islands was recently purchased be a Kuna (only indigenous Kuna)
People can purchase land in Guna Land) and is turning his island into a Day Bar so we feel we got to experience it before it becomes over used. Green Island was next on our radar. But when we sailed in to this busy anchorage we noted that nobody, and I mean nobody was in the water. So I got on the internet and found out that Green Island has a resident Crocodile and had recently attacked a young lady. Luckily the croc let her go with only some deep cuts and a great story. So since we love being in the water, we were off after doing some exploring in the tender. Now that I think about it, I was swimming down to check on the anchor when we first arrived. Glad I didn’t know then that I might have been stalked……So we set out to find the “Swimming Pool”. The Swimming Pool is the most popular anchorage in Guna Land due to its Pool Like Water.
When we pulled in we were not disappointed. The water is incredible. Not 2 minutes after I checked the anchor was Cindy off the boat headed to the coral to snorkel. Another reason this place is so popular are the two adjacent islands. One is the home of Ibin, who has built a dinner spot for the cruisers. We went and had a four course Seafood Dinner including Beer for $20 each. What a Treat. After dinner we headed over to the other island for a Beach Bonfire with Cruisers we had met at Cayos Banderos and a couple guys from dinner. What a way to end the evening in Paradise. We still have about a week left here before we need to head back to the Panama Canal for our crossing, we can’t wait to see the other 348 Islands of Guna Land
Bart & Cindy
