Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The San Blas Islands: Practical Tips and
Responsible Cruising
No longer off the beaten track, the Kuna Yala - better known as the San Blas islands - are
now a well established cruising ground in Panama's coast. What's the big attraction? Idyllic
anchorages protected by palm-lined islets; hurricane-free, year-round sailing; plus the fas-
cinating indigenous culture of the Kuna people. This chapter will help you maximize your
enjoyment of the San Blas area and minimize any inconvenient surprises.
A few words of precaution. First of all, the secret is out: popular anchorages in the western
San Blas islands shelter a dozen or more yachts at a time. We gaped upon finding thirty-
seven boat clustered just in the West Lemmon Cays, a well-protected anchorage close to
the region's administrative center on the island of El Porvenir. Some sailors are just passing
through, while many others are passing time: lots of it! It's not uncommon to find cruisers
who remain in this island paradise for months, or even years. It's an interesting, interna-
tional bunch, with an active and helpful SSB cruiser's net that “meets” each morning with a
weather report, position check-ins, and news (tune in to 8107 at 08:30).
We were a little overwhelmed by the social aspect of the net (announcing yoga sessions,
book swaps, and barbeques), but grateful for the practical information the experienced
cruisers could share: where to find supplies, procedures for the Panama Canal, and so on. If
you want solitude, head for the eastern San Blas, an area less frequented by outsiders, or
avoid the main draws of the western San Blas (Chicime, East and West Lemmon Cays,
Cayos Holandes, and the Coco Banderos). These popular places draw so many visitors be-
cause they offer idyllic conditions and crystal-clear water, while the reefs of the eastern San
Blas can be trickier to navigate in more limited visibility.
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