White beaches
Turquoise water.
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An archipelago of dozens of small forested islands in the Bay of Panama, named the Pearl Islands because their divers supplied Spain with pearls for centuries, some of them famous gems that became part of royal jewels. Its best-known island is Contadora, whose name, «the counter», is said to come from counting pearls there before shipping. Contadora is a small, quiet island where people get around by golf cart, ringed by white-sand beaches and clear turquoise water, among them long Playa Larga and calm Playa Galeón, with an old shipwreck on one beach that has become a familiar sight. Around the islands, rocky reefs offer snorkelling among colourful fish and turtles, and roughly from July to October humpback whales come into the bay, seen on boat trips. Nearby uninhabited islets are visited by boat. The ferry from Amador takes about an hour and a half, and the sea can be choppy. Staying a night is best for exploring the archipelago. It is hot and humid all year, with heavy afternoon rain from May to November, so carry water and an umbrella.
Turquoise water.
Fish and turtles.
In season.
Bay of Panama, about 70 km from the city, by ferry from Amador
Roughly July to October, when humpbacks come into the Bay of Panama, on boat trips from Contadora.