Today, guests aboard National Geographic Quest had the chance to become real-life mermaids! At Coiba National Park, rangers work diligently to keep the surrounding areas as pristine as possible while also allowing local and foreign tourists the chance to experience these conservation efforts and observe how they are working. Guests experienced this up close and personal with forest walks at the ranger station and snorkeling at nearby Cocos Island. Those who chose the underwater experience were treated to a vast array of life amongst the coral reef. With the first king tides of the year bringing an extra low tide, the animals were so close it was almost like snorkelers were inside an aquarium with them. After picking up anchor and heading off to the wild open blue, all were surprised by the presence of a few Bryde’s whales and a couple of species of dolphins while cruising to our destination, the Panama Canal.
1/19/2025
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National Geographic Quest
Coiba and Cocos Islands, Panama
Our ship anchored off Coiba Island, Panama, early in the morning. The sun had just risen, casting a golden light over the dense rainforest. After a wonderful breakfast, we disembarked at the ranger station. Dividing into groups, some of us set off on a guided walk through the jungle, spotting scarlet macaws and other colorful birds in the trees adjacent to the ocean. Others chose to kayak or paddleboard along the mangrove-lined shores, gliding over the calm, clear water. By midday, we returned to the ship and cruised by Zodiacs toward Cocos Island, an uninhabited islet nearby. The staff prepared our snorkeling gear, and soon we were in the water, surrounded by schools of vibrant fish. The reef was teeming with life—parrotfish, angelfish, and even a few white-tip reef sharks moved gracefully among the coral. Sunlight filtered through the surface, illuminating the underwater world in dazzling colors. After an unforgettable afternoon, we returned to the ship, exhilarated by the day’s adventures. As the sun set, we looked back at the islands, grateful for the opportunity to explore such pristine and biodiverse waters.
