Panama Adventure Tours - Offshore day tours
Cruising Area
Our offshore day tours will be focused on Isla Ladrones. This group of rocky islands 27 miles offshore is very close to the edge of continental shelf and , consequently, attracts many large pelagic ocean wanderers - including whales, dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays, many species of sharks, black and blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and dorado.Permanent and semi permanent residents include groupers, snappers, jacks, roosterfish and a host of colorful reef fish. These underwater mountain peaks (only a few of which protrude above the surface of the deep ocean provide a rugged spectacular environment - which is as attractive to sport fisherman and divers as it is to all kinds of sea life.
The tour
Trip to the dock
Down estuary leg
Estuary entrance to Isla Ladrones
Once safely past the entrance bar (an exercise which can, in the right conditions open still sleepy eyes really wide) by about 8.15 a.m. we will keep heading straight out to sea and pick up our speed to around 15 knots for the 1 1/2 our trip to our destination.. You will enjoy wonderful panoramic views of Panama from coast to mountain peak - as it rapidly disappears astern of Grand Illusion as she speeds effortlessly along - hardly disturbing the glassy calm sea - which is the norm at this hour of the morning.
On this leg we will be trolling a spread of high speed lures to attract ocean sprinters such as king fish, dorado, wahoo, tuna and even the occasional sailfish od marlin. Our chances for action will continue to increase as we penetrate deeper and deeper into the habitat of these ocean wanderers. Any of the above will definitely provide some energetic morning calisthenics for a few of our guests and several may contribute to the lunch menu.
"Chunking" for tuna and various other denizens of the deep
When we have arrived to within 1/2 a mile of Islas Ladrones (at about 9.45 a.m. we will begin a series of drifts over our favorite locations - usually over underwater sea mounts. We will be fishing a large and varied spread of rigs off the windward side of the boat and can be certain of a large number of hooks up - often with some very big and powerful denizens of the deep - which would quicken the pulse of even the most experienced sportfisherman.
That being said, Grand Illusion has been designed, from the get go, to facilitate persons of all ages and all skill levels to experience the thrill of battling with some serious fishy antagonists - with the aid of a skilled and helpful crew. This is a whole different type of fishing which all will enjoy - including the spectators.
Open ocean free diving
The fishing action will all be taking place on the windward side of the boat. This leaves the leeward (calm) side of the boat free for gazing into the depths at the passing gallery of visitors - or, for the more adventurous, donning mask and flippers and going overboard for a closer visit. - under the watchful eye of one of our crew members.
While this may at first appear to be a bit of a risky act. In fact, all of the carnivorous action will be taking place on the windward side of the boat - from whence the bait trail is traveling down and away from the boat. In regard to "being dragged away from the boat by strong currents" This is one of those old wives' tales which have been repeated so often that virtually everyone believes them.
Regardless of the strength of the current, (depending on wind conditions alone) persons in the water and the boat beside them will be drifting at virtually exactly the same speed and in virtually exactly the same direction. Because of the design of Grand Illusion, even in relatively strong wind conditions, this state of equilibrium will continue to prevail.
Lunch stop
By 12.30, battling with these deep sea protagonists (besides inducing weary arms and backs) should have contributed to ravenous appetites all around. This should facilitate our task of dragging everyone away from the fishing action to anchor in the protection of one of the rocky islands - for a thoroughly deserved lunch . While the crew are preparing lunch, those who wish to, may take one of the kayaks for a closer exploration of the rocky islands - There are no beaches. Others may choose do don masks and flippers for somewhat less threatening looksee at the underwater inhabitants.
Isla Ladrones to estuary entrance
At 2.30 p.m. it will be time to bid farewell to our island paradise and start heading back to David. If the wind has picked up by this time we will hoist the sails to give us an added kick and provide a delightful ambience on the return leg. This leg will often provide the optimum wind and sea condition for Grand Illusion to strut her stuff - screaming along at 20 knots on a beam reach and providing all aboard with a very close facsimile to those giant multihull racing machines.
Again we will be trolling a wide spread high speed lures hoping for the screaming of a fishing reel to add to the adrenalin rush. If a fish doesn't provide the added adrenalin rush, there is a good chance that conditions at the entrance bar of the estuary will - when (in the right conditions) Grand Illusion is transformed into 76 ft speeding surfboard
Up the estuary
Back to your lodging - or wherever
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Offshore day tours
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* Rupert Holmes - "Escape" - better known as "The Piña Colada Song".
Panama Adventure Tours is not yet open for business.
Projected start up - Nov. 2010. This web site is currently just a rough draft.
However, "If you like Piña Coladas - - - and you have half a brain"*
- plus a nodding acquaintance with the English language,
you may find the current content interesting and remarkably rewarding - - - approximately 100% rewarding.
This particularly applies to those who live, work, play and / or own / operate a tourism related business in:
Chiriqui, Panama - or Panama City, Panama - or San Jose, Costa Rica - or would like to.
"The Perfect Escape"
Escape the mundane clamor - a surprising, new adventure getaway is just over the horizon!
Catamaran adventure tours - day tours & multi day camping cruises
To a lush, Pristine Pacific Archipelago - drifting lazily through time - "far from the madding crowds".
Extraordinary Tours - on an Extraordinary Catamaran - in an Extraordinary Area!
We offer: Family fun fishing and other "laid back" Panama adventures.
Fishing - Kayaking - Snorkeling - Free diving - Beach camping - Coastal catamaran cruises.
We do not offer: Surfing (on our scheduled tours) but, there is excellent surfing in our area.
Likewise for scuba diving.
Nor do we offer :"Extreme Adventure Tours".
The only "Extreme" s which apply to our Adventure Tours are:
"Extreme" ly low levels of environmental impact,
"Extreme" ly high levels of enjoyment and satisfaction -
and (for those who can handle it)
"Extreme Hammocking".
You may call our tours - "Adventure tours" - "Play Tours" - "Fun Tours" - "Eco Tours" - whatever.
Our aim is, quite simply, to provide "The Perfect Escape".
We are confident that:
All who subscribe to "Variety being the spice of life" will judge our tours:
The Top Pick of "Panama tours" and "Adventure tours" - period!
