Bocas del Toro Boat Life

We’re in our second month in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama. Time is flying! We’re keeping busy, seeing the sights, and spending time with fellow cruisers. Here’s an overview of Bocas del Toro boat life.

About Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro (or Bocas, familiarly) is a province on the Caribbean side of Panama. Part of it is located on the mainland, but the important part is the chain of islands. Bocas del Toro means Mouth of the Bull, and the island chain has 3 big islands and many smaller islets and atolls.

Bocas del Toro on a map
Map of Bocas del Toro Panama

Bocas del Toro is a popular tourist destination, and the site of many banana plantations. It has an airport, with several daily flights from Panama City, and multiple water ferries and taxis from the mainland.

There are three big islands in Bocas del Toro, where most of the activity happens and the majority of people live and work.

Bocas del Toro map mural
Bocas del Toro map mural
Isla Colon

Isla Colon is the main island, with the airport and main town, called Bocas Town. That’s where the stores are and lots of hotels and resorts. It’s the “big island” where we go to provision at the supermarkets.

Isla Carenero

Right across from Isla Colon, Carenero has a small marina, and many resorts, beaches, and restaurants.

Marina on Isla Carenero
Marina on Isla Carenero
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Curaçao to Colombia

We did it! After numerous delays caused by human and mechanical breakdowns, we did our longest passage yet. We sailed 320+nm from Curaçao to Colombia. Currently comfortable in the welcoming Marina de Santa Marta, we are rested and content after an eventful voyage.

Sunset on our second night sailing to Colombia
Sunset on our second night sailing Curaçao to Colombia

Waiting to Go

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A Guest On Board Sava

Recently our friend Traci joined us as a guest on board Sava for her first time on a sailboat. We broke her in with a tough trip! Her sovereign sail was one of the region’s most notorious crossings: The Mona Passage.

In addition to sailing from Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, Traci continued with us between ports and over land.

For someone who had never been on a boat, to go through what she did, Traci was a trooper. She got sick and didn’t complain, and helped any way she could, even bringing up the anchor on her own by the end of the week.

We have new guests joining us today, and hope more of you spend time on Sava. Find out what Traci thought of her new experience and her recommendations to those planning to be a guest on board Sava, or any boat!

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Our Next Adventure is Big

Have you ever woken up to sea turtles swimming around visiting you? Spent an afternoon sailing the sea surrounded by flying fish? These rewarding experiences are so enjoyable that once you’ve had them, you’ll want to repeat! Interacting with nature and being close to the sea are part of what compels me to embark on my next adventure.

We Bought a Boat!

Brian and I are packing everything away to sail the seas for at least a year. We bought a boat, and we’re going to live and travel on it. We’re starting in Florida and heading south from there. No exact plans – we’ll see how it goes and go with it.

This is not a lifestyle for everyone: some people think we’re crazy. Others think we’re “living the dream.” Me? I am excited, but our date of departure is fast approaching, and I don’t know what I am doing!

Our Next Adventure is big on board a 46 foot Bavaria sailboat
Sava: Our home and transport for the upcoming future

About Our Boat

Sava is a boat built for adventure. We’re pretty sure she’s been around the world, and she’s definitely been to The Bahamas. She’s in Florida now waiting for us, and I’ve provided more details and a tour where you can learn more about our new home.

Our Next Adventure is Big – and Scary!

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Diving Corn Island

We read in advance about the scuba diving in Corn Islands- big fish, uncluttered sites, nice reefs -and couldn’t wait to try it ourselves! We spent 5 days diving Corn Island, Nicaragua and this is what it was like.

Not A Great Start

It didn’t start out great – on Sunday and Monday,  the wind and waves were very strong – and even with Gravol, it was tough being on the boat. Below the surface, the waves affected visibility and moved us around a lot. But, we kept with it, and the last few days have been great!

Diving Corn Island dive sites
Dive map of Big Corn Island

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