Tours and Places
Propiedad de Paradise
Dad caught the big one in Chiriquí!
By Skyler Ralston
“Top Cat”, the 33-foot catamaran powerboat.
Capitan Shane and happy dad Rob
Ralston bask in the glory of
this Yellow Fin Tuna that weighs
in at way over 100 pounds.
Crystal-clear water and a white sand beach beckoned as I approached Isla Parida aboard a 33-foot catamaran powerboat, sent to collect me on the mainland by Propiedad de Paradise. As I stepped off the boat and into the shallow warm water, I felt the thrill of a new adventure.
This exceptional private island eco-lodge is a one-hour plane ride from Panama City to David. A scenic car ride through the lush Chiriquí countryside took me to the Boca Chica dock, where I was picked up by Captain Shane Jarvis and his crew. A short boat ride through breathtaking volcanic islands left my cares behind and brought me to Isla Parida, the private island where the Propiedad de Paradise Resort is located in the Chiriquí National Marine Park on Panama’s western Pacific Ocean.
The staff took our bags and we were greeted by our gracious hosts Nancy Reagan and Bruce Jarvis of Delray Beach, Florida. The tour of our two-bedroom guest lodge highlighted the solar power system that provides all the energy for their operation, underscoring their focus on being eco-friendly. But don´t worry, they do have air conditioning.
Casting out into the beautiful waters, Capitan Shane and shipmate.
Big reels started to scream as the line took off.
On a swim after lunch, while bathing in the bathtub-warm, turquoise Pacific Ocean, it became very clear that I had found a yet another “Panamanian Paradise”.
A gourmet lobster dinner served on the outdoor dining patio provided a postcard-perfect view of the beach, islands – even turtles – all at sunset, and set to the natural music of the gentle waves.
Natural beauty surrounds the eco-resort.
Skyler, Rob and Jackie Ralston show off a
Propiedad de Paradise t-shirt at the end of their trip.
Heading out to sea
Coffee and a golden sunrise prepared us for our day of offshore fishing. We boarded the stable and smooth “T.O.P. CAT” and zipped out to the deep waters off Montuosa Island where the Black Marlin are comparable to those at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
We quickly caught our bait fish, Bonito and Blue Runners. The big fish can’t resist them. And I mean big: Yellowfin Tuna (up to 400 pounds), Dorado (up to 60 pounds), Black Marlin (up to 1000 pounds), Pacific Sailfish (up to 250 pounds), Dogtooth Snapper (up to 70 pounds), Wahoo (up to 75 pounds) and Grouper (up to 300 pounds). Since “Panama” means “abundance of fish”, its no surprise that hundreds of world records have been set in these waters.
You don’t have to be a fisherman to pay a visit! In addition to the world-class fishing, one can enjoy a host of activities like snorkeling to view tropical fish, sea kayaking out to deserted islands, bird watching on jungle trails, whale watching and hikes through the tropical forest.
Poppa Ralston reeling in the big one.
Prices: Accommodation starts at $177 per person per night, and includes lodging, gourmet meals, alcoholic beverages, storybook views and all the eco-activities.Large groups: Complete lodge rental is available, sleeps eight.
Fishing Charters: Offshore and inshore fishing with Captain Shane Jarvis on the 33-foot “world catamaran center console powerboat” with twin Yamaha 225-hp motors. Capitan Shane has ten years fishing experience in the Gulf of Chiriquí and holds both a United States Coast Guard and Panama Captain’s Licenses. Charters start at $875 per day. Weekly packages are available.
If finding the big fish is what separates the pros from the amateurs, then Captain Shane is a pro. He knew where to look, how to read the signs, what bait to use and how to outsmart our prey. The Brown Boobie birds diving and hundreds of dolphins “hound dogging” (racing and flipping together in a straight line) showed us where the Tuna were feeding.
Captain Shane sped the boat to cut the Tuna off and we cast in with the live Blue Runners on the lines. My dad happily reeled in two 25-pound Yellowfin Tunas, with a 25-pound grin to match.
Enjoying breakfast with a breathtaking view.
Then one of the big reels started to scream as the line took off. There was no stopping it until finally, my dad, outfitted in a fishing harness, was able to gain just a bit of line back. With lots of perspiration, an increased respect for the strength of the fish and lots of encouragement from Captain Shane, one hour later he landed . . . a 125-pound Yellowfin Tuna!!
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The phrase “catch of the day” does not suffice. He was massive and we were ecstatic. The oh-so enjoyable hour and a half ride back to the mainland was full of bliss.
From the comfortable accommodations, gracious hospitality, scrumptious homemade food, remote island views, white sandy beaches, warm water and unforgettable fishing trip, I could not have asked for a more exceptional time.
Not for the faint of heart
The bat caves of Isla Bastimentos
Courtesy of Alirio Archibold from BocasMarineTours.com
“Harmless,” say the folks at Bocas Marine Tours
about the bats in the cave on Bastimentos Island.
But do watch out for the slippery droppings.
Up the creek from to the cave.
This tour is something entirely different from the standard Bocas del Toro trips to snorkel, surf, or sunbathe on the beach. If you are adventurous, gutsy and sure-footed, then the Caves of Bastimentos Island might be for you. Some tourists have called this experience “the most unforgettable part of my vacation”, and said that they’d “seen many caves before, but nothing like this!”
This little-known, half-submerged network of caves is located in the National Park of Bastimentos. Getting there is fun. After reaching the far side of Bastimentos by motorboat, the journey leads up a small creek. Everyone in the boat paddles as the boat Capitan navigates around half-submerged fallen trees. He also points out animals along the narrow waterway like sloths feeding high in the trees. If you are quiet and lucky, you might see a crock as well.
This exciting tour is for the adventurous.
Tour details:
This tour leaves Bocas Town on Isla Colón from the Bocas Marine Tours dock on Main Street at 10:00 a.m. and returns at 4:00 p.m. The cost is $28 per person with discounts for groups over five.
The water gets pretty deep.
The ceiling of the entrance of the cave is lined with several different species of bats. The floor is subsequently lined with bat droppings, a slippery situation. We do not spend too much time directly underneath the bats as the droppings do keep falling. They are great creatures and not dangerous.
Later on, it is time to get into the water in order to continue discovering the cave. It is important to use caution when walking through the water and feel out the cave’s floor before you put your foot down hard. It is a very slow walk.
About Bocas Marine Tours:
Visit www.BocasMarineTours.com or call 757-9033 to find out about all the tours. Bocas Marine offers service from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. between Almirante (on the mainland) and Bocas Town, the population center of the archipelago.
The tour takes in only only a part of the caves which have never been fully explored or surveyed. A group of visiting geologists and biologists commented recently that they believe that this could be the largest array of caves known in all of Central America.
The water temperature is moderate and refreshing compared to the humidity inside cave. In some parts, the water comes up to your neck. At the end of the cave (not really the end but this is as far as we go) is a deep pool. Fresh water is constantly flowing through, so here we take a full swim and cool off nicely.
After exiting the cave and paddling back down the creek, a cool drink awaits us at the “Jungle Bar”, where the tour stops to refresh on the way back to Bocas Town.