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FAQ's
General Questions
Q: What documents will I need to travel to Panama?
A: Americans are now required to carry a passport in all
foreign travel. Also, you will need to purchase
a $5.00 Tourist Card from your international airport desk prior to boarding the
plane for Panama.
Q: What is the departure fee? A: $20.00, you pay this at the airport before you board the plane for the states. This fee may also be included in the price of the airline ticket, check with your airline to verify that it is or is not included in your ticket price. Q: What other out-of-pocket expenses should I expect?
A: Our charter price includes everything once aboard the
Coral Star fleet in David, Panama, except alcohol and any gratuity you wish to give
your captain, mate and ship crew. Flights to and from Panama City, arrangements
in Panama City such as hotels, transfers, meals, round trip in-country flight or
bus ride are not included in your charter price. Starlite Travel in Panama City can help you determine
what best suits your needs and assist in making those arrangements, prices vary.
Most guests typically require two nights at hotel, a couple of meals and round trip
in-country flight.
Q: Do I need to take any special precautions?
A: NONE, you will be out at sea. When the United States built the Panama Canal, Yellow Fever and Malaria was controlled. The United States designed the water supply in all major towns and Panama has some of the best drinking water in Central America.
Q: What is the air temperature? A: Average is 80 F.
Q: Is it humid? A: Not really, remember that you are at sea, not in the jungle.
Q: What is the rainy season? A: (May to November) During the rainy season it usually rains about 3 hours a day, mostly in the late afternoon. Remember that we are at sea, around islands, not near the mainland where the clouds build up and it rains.
Q: Can we extend our trip to see more of Panama? A: Certainly. Many of our guests stay longer to see the canal or take jungle tours. Please let us know a couple of weeks before your flight of your intentions and any type of arrangements can be made to have you extend your trip or have your spouse join you at the end of your trip.
Q: Which airlines offer flights to Panama?
A: From the U.S. there is Continental, American, and Delta. Air France, British Airways, Copa, El Al Israel, Taca, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Mexicana, and Cubana also offer flights.
Q: How much for Panama entry? A: $5.00, you buy it at the international airport desk before you board the plane for Panama.
Q: How much for Boat Gratuity per person?
A: Gratuity is up to you and it is based on service. For the crew, we suggest 10% to 15% based on the total cost of the trip. Gratuity is totaled up after the trip and divided equally between the crew. Envelopes are provided for the tips at the end of the trip. Please bring cash as the crew is unable to accept travelers checks or credit cards.
Q: What is the baggage limitations for the In-country flight?
A: If your bags weigh more than 35 lbs. per person, you may need to pay an excess baggage fee of $.25 per pound. This is typical for foreign country, especially on small aircraft. While we recognize this as an inconvenience to you, it is an indication of the remoteness and the logistic problems that face us.
Q: Can I book a trip online? A: Yes and no. We provide an Online Reservation Request form that you can fill out for availability on a certain trip. This form also provides us with information to help expedite your reservation if that date is available. Click here for the Online Request Form. Information Request Form
Q: Do you provide clean bath/shower towels every day? A: Yes
Q: Do you provide clean ship deck towels (different than your shower towels) every day? A: Yes
Q: Do you provide bath/shower soap or should I bring my own? A: Yes, but you may wish to bring your own if you have special requirements for sensitive skin.
Q: Does the boat have hot water? A: Yes. You can adjust the temperature up to 150 degrees.
Q: Are there hairdryers in the rooms? A: No. We do have 120 VAC current in all rooms and baths, so may bring your own.
Q: Are there bathrobes in the rooms for each person? A: No.
Q: How often do you change the bed linens? A: Every other day
Q: Do I have to bring my own alcohol? A: Soft drinks, beer and water are abundant. The M/V Coral Star has two bars stocked with a variety of beer, hard liquor and wine at per drink cost. You may make arrangements for specific brands depending on availability.
Q: How much are the drinks on board? A: We do a rum punch party the first night (no charge). For current drink prices please click on Pricing Sheet.
Q: What is the maximum number of passengers? A: We have 8 cabins with a total capacity of 19 guests, with 3 of the cabins capable of triple ocupancy.
Q: Is the ship air-conditioned? A: Yes, the ship is fully air-conditioned and each cabin has its own controls.
Q: How comfortable is the M/V Coral Star? A: The M/V Coral Star offers the latest technology and the best comfort available. Saloon, bar, sundeck, eight staterooms. (2 masters, 2 deluxe and 4 standard)
Q: What should I bring? A: It is vital that you bring a hat, sunglasses and suntan lotion as the Equatorial sun is blistering. Your clothes can be washed aboard the M/V Coral Star mid-week or upon request. Typically, people fish in shorts and shirt and wear light cotton at night.
Q: How safe is Coiba? A: Our boats stay within radio contact of each other and the M/V Coral Star is in constant contact with the island, mainland and the United States. Serious accidents tend to happen through irresponsible acts or neglect. Our crew is professional, has been with us for years and has avoided serious, even minor problems since our inception.
Q: What are the medical facilities? A: A comprehensive first aid kit is kept onboard the M/V Coral Star. We have a complete telecommunications with the island, as well as the mainland, and depending on the flying conditions, a plane can be available for evacuation on Coiba in two hours.
Q: Can I bring my wife? A: Yes. The M/V Coral Star has two master staterooms with queen size beds and full bath. We have two deluxe state rooms with a full size bed and twin bunk with private shower and toilet. Plus our 4 standard staterooms with twin bunk beds and a shared shower and toilet in each cabin.
Q: What is the season? A: December through August.
Q: How much does it cost? A: Contact our Reservation Office for price, availability and additional details.
Q: How soon should I make reservations? A: Our prime season is typically booked 12 months in advanced. It is necessary for you to put your group together and pay a deposit to secure a date.
Q: Can I bring my own equipment? A: Yes and No. There are space limitations on the 36 passenger planes that we use. It is not necessary to bring any rods and reels, as all of the boats are outfitted with Avet and Penn Internationals . But if you have your own favorite rod, reel or lures, bring them along. Fly fisherman are requested to bring their own equipment.
Q: Can I bring fish home? A: There are space limitations and not everyone will be allowed to bring back a cooler of ice and fish. Depending on size of the group that week, restrictions will have to made on the number of containers used to bring fish back home. We can advise you in advance.
Q: How do I bring fish back home? A: If you must bring fish home, then we suggest that your clothes be packed in a duffel bag and put into a 48 quart or 60 quart hard-sided cooler for the flight to Panama. The fish that you wish to bring can be cut into steaks or filleted, packed, frozen and placed in your cooler. There is plenty of ice on aboard the M/V Coral Star, the fish will be iced down, and the cooler will be closed and taped, ready for the return flight. If the cooler remains closed, the ice will remain fresh for approximately four days.
Q: Do the Captains speak English?
A: All of our Captains understand enough English so that they are able to understand and be understood by the guests. Some can converse better than others, but all are eager to please and make sure that you have the most enjoyable fishing adventure ever.
Q: Can I have my fish mounted? A: Today it is no longer necessary to kill the fish to have it mounted. If you want to have your catch mounted, then tell the Captain and he will take measurements and it will be sent to Phluger. Coral Star will have the cost of mounting available to you and your mount will be shipped directly to your home.
Q: Do I have to fish for Marlin everyday? A: Absolutely not. In fact, the captains will encourage you do inshore fishing once you have caught on or two big Blacks or Blues. Live baiting for Marlin usually causes the death of the fish and captains are reluctant to continue to use live bait for that reason. Obviously we want to make sure that you have the best fishing trip ever, but at the same time we have to be responsible for our future guests.
Fly
Fishing Questions
Q: Should I bring my own gear? A: Fly fishing expert Ed Hughes quotes: "I always bring at least 2 rods and reels. A 10 and a 12 wt. Coral Star has rods and reels for those who don't want to carry them. We have Templefolk rods with Reddington reels.
Q: Do we supply flies? A: Yes. We have a supply of offshore poppers for the sails and other big game. We also have a limited selection of inshore flies. Ed Hughes recommends bringing inshore flies such as Lefties deceivers 1/0 2/0 Clousers, bendbacks and whatever fly you think will work. Let Ed know if you have something that has worked for you! The color Ed has had the most success with is white.
Q: Do the captains know the fly fishing game? A: Most of the captains have been trained. It is an ongoing process. We do have a few that are new and have not yet gone through the process. Please let the office know you want to fly fish so we can make sure you have the most experienced captain.
Q: What kind of fish can I expect to catch? A: The fishing is wide open! Ed has caught Sails, hooked Black Marlin, landed Dorado, Snappers, Bluefin Trevally and a few Jacks all in a morning!! Always tell your captain exactly what you want to do and what you want to catch and go from there.
Q: Should I bring my own leaders and flylines? A: Ed always makes his own leaders. Ed will pre tie around 24 big game leaders either 16# or 20#. Ed will use 80# floro shock tied on 20# Marage. Ed will tie everything according to IGFA rules (which is under 12 inch on the shock and over 15 inch on the class). Ed will use about 4/12 feet of 30# to make a 6 foot leader. For inshore, Ed uses 2 feet of 20#, 3 feet of 25# and 3 feet of 30#. If Ed is after toothy critters, he uses the same setup as big game. Instead of mono, Ed uses wire.
Another comment from Ed Hughes is: "Fly lines - I always bring my own. I bring lines that match the rods I'm bringing. I always have a full sink, intermediate and a float. Coral Star has extra fly lines if you should need one."
Diving Questions
A: We average 3 - 4 dives per day. Night diving is also an option.
Q: Where do we dive? A: The Pacific coast of Panama which is truly High Adventure diving at its best. We have a lot of tropical fish, BIG fish, whales, turtles, and rays to name a few. We are diving underwater mountain tops, reefs and islands that see very few boats or divers. Many guests note how there were never any other dive boats or divers.
Q: Do we dive from the ship or tenders? A: Both, depending on the dive site. It is very easy to get off and on the ship from the water. We have a special custom ramp/ladder. We have two zodiacs with 60hp & 25hp motor, a 34' Delta dive boat, 3 28' pursuits and a 24' motor launch for dive tenders.
Q: Are there any drift dives? A: Yes
Q: Do I need to be an advanced diver? A: While our diving is Adventure Diving at its best, we have had divers of all abilities. The dive sites are determined by the ability of the divers.
Q: What is the visibility? A: Depending on the season and weather, normal visibility is 50 to 80 feet.
Q: Are there snacks between dives or should I bring my own Snickers bars? A: Snacks are provided between dives, but you may bring your "favorite" snack food if you so desire.
Q: Do you permit divers to dive computers? A: YES! We prefer divers to use computers, it gives us a safety margin and the deck hands can log the information about your dives.
Q: Is Nitrox available? A: No
Q: Are there rinse tanks for dive gear (not just camera gear)? A: Yes, we have two fresh water rinse tanks. One on the dive deck for dive gear only and one on the upper deck exclusively for camera gear.
Q: Do you have a camera table? A: Yes, we have a two level table and separate fresh water rinse tank.
Q: Do you offer E-6 developing? A: No, we are finding that more people are taking digital photos so we have discontinued E-6 development.
Q: What is your trip schedule? A: Click here to view our current trip schedule.
Q: What is the cost? A: Click here to view our Rate Page.
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