The seas off Panama’s Pacific Coast contain some of the most abundant marine wildlife anywhere on Earth. A waystation for many oceanic species that annually migrate along the Eastern Tropical Pacific currents between the Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island and Colombia, its reefs and deeps teem with manta rays, humpback whales, sea turtles, a variety of pelagic fish and more than thirty shark species, including the mighty whale shark. Above the waves, its stunning tropical islands are swathed in primary rainforest, a refuge for endangered mantled howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, amphibians and a host of endemic orchids.
In this magnificent natural setting, you will find Islas Secas which is, quite simply, one of the finest hotels in the Americas, and a visionary leader in sustainability and conservation. Set on a private archipelago around 20 miles from the mainland in the Gulf of Chiriqui and reached by a direct Twin Otter flight from Panama City, Islas Secas makes a heavenly base from which to explore this oceanic playground–ideal for both families and couples looking for a romantic escape mixed with adventurous conservation.
"By day, you’ll be able to snorkel with sea turtles and puffer fish, go whale watching, kayak or paddleboard to deserted coves."
By day, you’ll be able to snorkel with sea turtles and puffer fish, go whale watching, kayak or paddleboard to deserted coves to enjoy a gourmet beach picnic, scuba dive with triggerfish and octopus, sail, and enjoy the thrill of seabobs, efoils and wake surfing. You can explore remote sea caves and try your hand at big game fishing for trophy-size jacks, wahoo, marlin, tuna and sailfish, while on land you can go on beautiful hikes in search of the endemic wildlife or out foraging for jungle herbs with the chef.
In the evenings, you can be joined for dinner by eminent conservationists while dining on Michelin-quality cuisine or swap tales with your fellow guests of your day’s adventures. A range of pampering spa treatments, yoga classes, private film viewings and cooking or mixology classes are really the only other activities that might tempt you away from the water.
For those who are super keen, we can include a couple of nights on Coiba Island, once a Devil’s Island-type prison but now a sensationally wild and remote national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the pioneering Liquid Jungle Lab. Here you can join conservation scientists and learn about the remarkable work they are doing to protect this spectacular ecosystem. A marine safari at Islas Secas allows you to experience one of the world’s richest and least explored marine ecosystems while enjoying the heights of sustainable luxury. Many guests return year after year. There really isn’t a place like it anywhere else on the planet.
