Location
San Blas is located at the northeast of Panama, with an area of 3,206 Km2, and it extends from the border of the province of Colon until the border of the Republic of Colombia. Kuna Yala is a group of 365 islands and it is the least exploited area in Panama. Most of the 72,000 kuna Indians live in only 52 islands closer to the coast. This is one of the "paradises" of our planet.
http://www.audleytravel.com/Destinations/Central-America/Panama/Places-to-Go/San-Blas-Islands/Climate.aspx
The epic world kiting and boarding adventure says the San Blas Islands are "on every circumnavigators top three list" and "San Blas is so good that made it onto our list of top ten places on the planet to kitesurf." - http://www.offshoreodysseys.com/trip/san-blas-panama-6/
Check out the San Blas Captains Log from The Best Odyssey (2007) to see what Gavin had to say... (the San Blas Islands became) ...our home for the next month, a place I’ve dreamt about for years. (http://www.offshoreodysseys.com/wp/2007/12/exploring-the-san-blas/)
Video url: http://youtu.be/9xOwwBuB19k
Video url: http://youtu.be/Kf81Y_RS3iI
Video url: http://youtu.be/c9PieRUrolA
When?
Dry season - December through April - sometimes hazy with reduced visibility. Swells from the east can dramatically increase during this period with trade winds of over 25kts.
Rainy season - June through November - marked with variable winds, flat seas and rains. Winds come down off the mainland mountains flowing offshore. Expect flash rain squalls and winds which can turn into torrential rains.
Tidal range is about one foot so it is not a concern for general navigation. Current is primary the Caribbean counter-current flowing eastward. Close to shore the current can reach over 2kts.
What does this mean... High Season from December to April: it is the season of the trade winds (North / East wind), which means regular winds and little or no rain. Visibility under water is not the best and there is some current: It is the ideal season for truly sailing enthusiasts!
The rest of the year, winds are milder and there are scattered showers (nothing too dramatic): the visibility under water is much better with the possibility of exploring the “outside” of the reefs, there is more light and sunset is sometimes spectacular: it is the best season for spear fishing, coral reef exploration and marine fauna discovering. Can you say "less tourists".
Reference Maps:
http://www.sanblassailing.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/SBSchartppm1.gif
http://www.sanblassailing.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/centre-san-blas-carte-pm.gif
http://www.sanblassailing.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/est-san-blas-carte-pm.gif
http://www.sanblassailing.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/porvenir-carte-pm.gif
http://www.sanblassailing.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/lemon-cays-carte-ppm1.gif
Unexpected Fees and Local Laws
Kunas have been exposed to capitalism... visiting a village expect a $5.00 per person fee. Other fees for pictures etc may be requested. The Kunas rule their land. Everything, even coconuts are all communal owned in the San Blas Islands by the Kuna Yala. The law of the land is the Kuna Yala "Sailas" chief. A word to the wise. Don't dispute when asked to pay a fee - Kuna word is the local law of the land. (period)
You are a GUEST in the San Blas Islands! I think that says it all.
Still not sure if the San Blas Islands are good for your adventure?
The world’s best secret islands
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/panama/travel-tips-and-articles/76176San Blás Archipelago, Panama
Image by Fathzer
Panama probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of the Caribbean, but this Central American nation has coral cays to rival anything in the Caymans or the Virgin Islands. Run as an autonomous province by the Kuna people, the San Blás Archipelago is a crescent of 365 tiny islands basking in the warm waters of the southern Caribbean. Forget luxury resorts – the only hotels are homestays in village houses and dinner is whatever the fishermen bring home in their canoes each evening.This is one of the world's unspoiled, untouched natural paradises!!!
http://www.sanblassailing.com/en/?page_id=29
Activities (http://www.sanblassailing.com/en/?page_id=9)
Boating... learn about navigation and living aboard
Snorkeling... fantastic corals, fish, mammals, shellfish and sea birds
Kayaking
Spear fishing
Sport fishing
relaxing on white sand beaches with palm trees
and don't forget the discovery of the Kuna culture...
One thing is certain: in San Blas, the adventure is always there!
Email me for information: scuttlebutt (at) greygooseadventures (dot) com
Glad you like it :-)
ReplyDelete