What you can do during the trip:

• Go on a guided nature hike or look for the Howler Monkeys
• Enjoy a swim in the warm blue Pacific Ocean
• Walk on a white sand beach where the only tracks are yours
• Go Whale and Dolphin watching
• Take a raft ride to visit the sea creatures amidst the mangroves
• Snorkel with sea turtles and other colorful marine life
• Scuba dive to explore an underwater pinnacle
• Set out early for a bird watching tour and nature photography
• Enjoy sea kayaking
• Listen to an educational talk by a Park Ranger or Guide
• Take a nap, read a book or just relax on the ship

Here is a sample of the trip itinerary:
(Click each photo for a larger view)

Day One (Saturday):
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Saturday: Cruising the islands of the Gulf of Chiriquí as we head to Coiba National Park, your guides will be explaining to the group about the eco systems of the area. Be on the look out for pods of Humpback Whales and Bottle Nose and Spotted Dolphins, Brown Boobies, Laughing Gulls, Brown Pelicans, Frigates, and Egrets, as we cruise past Islas Paridas to Islas Secas for some beach activities which will include kayaking, beach combing and snorkeling classes to prepare for your weeks adventure. Or, relax and enjoy the scenery of this tropical paradise. Once anchored at Isla de Coiba, cocktail hour will commence with dinner following shortly. Later, there will be an optional lecture about topics of interest and orientation for our next days adventure.

Day Two (Sunday) (Click each photo for a larger view)

Wake up near Boca Grande. You will have a short boat ride to the Playa Blanca area on one of our 28 to 34 foot sport boats. You will get to this hiking trail via our inflatable zodiac. Hiking, bird watching and environmental interpretation of this unique area is scheduled for today. When the penal colony was in existence this trail was used for farming. Amongst Banana, Papaya, Avocado, and Almond trees, you have a strong opportunity to see Scarlet Macaws, Humming Birds, Flycatchers, Honeycreepers, Woodpeckers and Parakeets, as they frequent this area. A boxed lunch will be necessary for this day, as the hike will take 4 to 6 hours. Depending on trail conditions it could be possible to walk in a swampy and seasonally flooded "Cativial", one of few mono-specific forest formations in tropical America. This is a serious long hike, but can be shortened based upon group interest. Snorkeling, kayaking and beach combing will consume the rest of your day. Later, there will be an optional lecture about topics of interest and orientation for our next day’s adventure.

Day Three (Monday):
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Boat up the river and explore the Mangroves. Watch for King Vultures, Egrets, Kingfishers, Jacamars, Herons, and other unique Shore Birds. On the return, we will kayak (or if you want a real challenge we can do a round trip in the kayaks) to listen and enjoy the serene sounds of this tropical jungle. The landscape is awesome! After a beach lunch and snorkeling, we will head to see the Hot Springs near Punta Felipe. Feel free to enjoy the healing properties of the hot mineral waters where for years, locals have traveled from the mainland for medicinal purposes. Yes, Hot Springs and the Rain Forest surround you! Your guide will highlight the geological existence of these springs. On top of the plant life that surrounds you, be on the watch for White Faced Monkeys, Tanagers and numerous species we have not yet identified. Later, there will be an optional lecture about topics of interest and orientation for our next day’s adventure.

Day Four (Tuesday):
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Experience the most secluded maximum security prison in Panama until 1991. Early in the morning plan to see Scarlet Macaws and more! Later live the moments in this unknown place as the narrations of a former prisoner "Mali Mali" (now a knowledgeable field Guide for ANAM) explains the remains of Coiba's prisoner base camp. You will hike and witness what used to be the most feared place among inmates on Coiba. You will be one of the few people who have been allowed to walk these beaches. A paradox is well seen in the surrounding forests. Such vast and unique biodiversity is seen here, mainly because the place was kept "untouched", except for the human intervention in specific areas solely for crops and cattle. Learn about the history of Coiba; the first scientific voyages that date back to the XIX Century; the massive logging industry the island represented in the 1900's; the initial prison and the camps; and the escapes in improvised sail barges. You will be told of the many more interesting historical points should you choose to visit us. Later, we will hike the Central Camp to Production Area Road. There is a mixture of grass land and an old secondary growth forest, which will give us the opportunity to experience more about this unique rain forest. Later, there will be an optional lecture about topics of interest and orientation for our next day’s adventure.

Day Five (Wednesday): (Click each photo for a larger view)

Today we are going to hike the "Los Monos" or Monkey Trail! Coiba's Howler Monkeys "another specialty and endemic" can be spotted early in the morning, so we will start early. This hike will take you through the secondary and primary forest with many birds such as Crimson-Backed Tanager, Lance-Tailed Manakin and Red-Legged Honeycreeper. Keep an eye out for the illusive Coiba Spinetail, endemic only to Coiba! After the hike, we will snorkel and kayak on "Granito de Oro" or Golden Grains. This beach is beautiful and the snorkeling is exceptional! Hawksbill Turtles frequent this area. From Golden Grains we will head to the Visitor's Center and Ranger Station at ANAM for a nice BBQ celebration dinner on the beach. We will visit the observation tower above the canopy for yet another great opportunity to spot wildlife. Don't be surprised if you get a visit from Sarah, a Red Brocket Deer, which was raised by the Rangers from birth. Although she was brought here from the mainland, she will eagerly be awaiting your visit. Also watch for these areas residents: Agouti's, Vultures, and Tito, a Saltwater Crocodile that Rangers claim is tame. We will not be snorkeling in this area! Later, there will be an optional lecture about topics of interest and orientation for our next day’s adventure including useful departure information.

Day Six (Thursday): (Click each photo for a larger view)

Today is the end of our adventure. We will cruise back to the Paridas area on the Mother ship keeping an eye out for dolphins, whales and birds. We will probably stop to do some snorkeling and kayaking at any one of the numerous islands. You and our guides will debrief the week and discuss the species you have identified!

We hope this has given you an overview of what to expect. In no way should this outline be construed as gospel, since there are too many variables. We will, however, try to follow this outline as closely as possible.

EcoTourism Adventure

Attn:    Avid EcoTourism Enthusiasts!

The All Inclusive Ship and Land Package:

The M/V Coral Star has been sailing the many islands of Panama and the Gulf of Chiriquí since 1994. We would like to invite you to join us on a 6 day "Guided Naturalist Cruise" to explore the many natural wonders of this virgin region. Here is your opportunity to experience one of the most remote, exotic and natural areas in all of Central America safely with experienced guides.

Imagine discovering hidden waterfalls, canyons and spectacular settings in an unspoiled tropical forest, with its rare birds, mammals and plants! Just imagine.......According to the Audubon Society, the small country of Panama has more species of birds than all of North America, Mexico and Europe combined! Or, a beach of white sand and an ocean of warm blue water filled with whales, dolphins and rare colorful fish!

The Coiba Island National Park encompasses over 2,701 square kilometers, or 1,053 square miles, including the Island of Coiba and 38 smaller islands. This area contains an extraordinary marine and terrestrial biodiversity. In a preliminary biological inventory of the Island of Coiba, numerous animals and plants unique to the island were found, including two mammals, twenty birds, as well as plants.

The botanical survey did not include most of the interior of the island, the area considered most likely to harbor unique species, not yet known to science. Coiba is perhaps best known among conservationists for Panama's last breeding clusters of scarlet macaws, its bottle-nosed dolphins, turtles, howler monkeys, and the brown and white Coiba Spinetail Bird, the only bird of its kind in the world!

The park contains the second largest coral reef in the Central-Eastern Pacific Ocean. Its marine fauna include 23 species of whales and dolphins, including humpback, sperm and killer whales. The island of Coiba still maintains 85% of its virgin tropical-moist forest, making it the biggest virgin-forested island in the Americas. This was due in part to the fact that the island has served as a penal colony. The penal colony was a great deterrent from any destruction or resource extraction of this pristine virgin environment. Majorities of the penal colony and its prisoners have been relocated back to the mainland. Today, only a small handful of harmless "honor" prisoners remain on the main island. They spend their time helping to maintain and improve the Coiba National Park under supervision. With the majority of the prisoners removed and the prison closed, Panama has opened this special area to discovery.

Our Guides:

Our two Guides are professionals that will show and tell you about the natural treasures and wonders that surround these islands. Many times a talk or lecture will be given before the tour. This will help you to find and understand the natural wonders that will surround you.

The Ship:

We feel that nature can only be seen in small groups. This gives our guests a more personal and a greater appreciation of this natural resource. Our Ship is 115-foot length, 230-ton displacement and has 2 master staterooms, 2 deluxe rooms and 4 standard cabins. All cabins are double occupancy, (16 guests total), with each cabin having their own private bathroom, shower and sink. It features a mahogany and teak interior with picture windows, wet bar, entertainment center, carpeting, and a spiral staircase to the ship's library and office. A salon and dining room provide a home like atmosphere for your comfort. The ship is fully air-conditioned and it runs on a 110V current provided by two 60 KW generators. The full stainless steel galley on the main deck will rival any restaurant. You will receive 3 delicious meals daily, plus snacks during the day. A laundry room contains washers and dryers with fresh linen and towels for your convenience. There are 3 teak sun decks with lounge chairs and a "Fantail Bar" where you can relax and unwind after a fun day of activities and exploring. The M/V Coral Star is run by an experienced Captain and crew whose main goal is to ensure that you have a safe, fun and comfortable cruise.

If you choose our all inclusive Land Package, your airline schedule should have you arrive by Friday evening in Panama City. It will include VIP service into the country. Simply step off the airplane and walk up to the Executive Service Representatives. They will actually process your luggage and passports through customs while you wait in the airports VIP lounge. This takes about 45 minutes and from there, we transfer you to Coral Star's hotel of choice where you will overnight (double occupancy). The next day, Saturday morning, we will provide a short, 50 minute in-country flight to David, Panama. Please note your return flight from David back into Panama City on Thursday is also included in this package along with Thursday nights stay at Coral Star's hotel of choice(double occupancy). Once in David, you will meet your guides and board the M/V Coral Star where the "Guided Naturalist Cruise" to Coiba National Park will begin.

The Ship Package Only:

If you choose our Ship Package, you will need to meet us at the Marina in David on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. At the end of your trip, we will have you back at the Marina on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. You must make all of your own arrangements getting to the Marina and leaving the Marina at the end of your stay. This is convenient for many of our guests, as there are people who like to visit other areas that are near David versus Panama City.

Pricing:

Please check out cuttent prices at the rate page.

Also, ask about our "family specials"!

Booking Information:

  Call our Louisiana Reservation Office at the toll-free number of 866-924-2837 or contact your travel agent and have them give us a call! We require a 25% deposit via MasterCard, Visa, Discover or Personal Check. The balance is due 60 days prior to your charter date. Also, please feel free to visit our website at: www.coralstar.com.

Louisiana Reservation Office
P.O. Box 2592, Mandeville, LA  70470-2592
Toll Free: 1.866.924.2837 Fax: 985.845.4939