THE PEARL ISLANDS

Located on the Pacific coast, 35 nautical miles off  the modern city of Panama (Central America), the Pearl islands archipelago is composed of 90 islands and about 130 islets or keys (the most important being Del Rey, San Jose, Pedro Gonzales, Pacheca, Saboga, Chapera, Vireos, Contadora)
The islands were formed by volcanic eruptions offering an extensive wide life, typical rain forest type of flora and fauna.
If many others are covered with valuable & special trees, some have mangrove others bushes.  . One can also discover a variety of fruit trees. A great and rich paradise for nature's lovers can be found all around the Pearls Islands (especially on the San Pedro Island, south of Del Rey Island, as it is an animal sanctuary).
Hundreds of species of birds have found a natural shelter in the archipelago (especially in Pacheca and Pachequilla Islands)
Some islands have natural fresh water, a windfall for slots, iguanas and even small deers on the island of Jan Jose
The archipelago offers several desert beaches, paradise for shell collectors and idyllic for sun bathers. One can hike for hours on the biggest islands and even enjoy a fine diner on the island of Contadora known as a week end destination for rich Panamanians.

BRIEF HISTORY

In September 1513, Vasco Nunez de Balboa found out, after talking with the natives during his journey to Panama, that there was another ocean with many islands loaded with pearls. He decided to organize an expedition. He reached the new ocean", called "Mar del Sur", after descending from the Darien Del Chucunaque Cordilleras on the 29th of September of 1513 at a place today named " Bahia de San Miguel
On the 10th of August 1515, Pedrarias Davila, governor of " Santa Maria del Darien" at that time, sent an expedition lead by Gaspar de Morales y Francisco Pizarro that, once back home he proudly told that they had killed all the natives after they had stolen all their treasures.
After facing the lack of native slaves, they decide to repopulate the place with African slaves in 1518. They were brought there to fish and dive for pearls, and also to cultivate the soil. They brought a lot of traditions and habits to the place. After a revolt of the slaves, lead by Felipillo and the “Cimarron’s ", the islands of the gulf provided a proper and secure shelter for them.
The 17-th century was very busy because of Peru conquest. The gold business and other treasures attracted the interest of pirates in the gulf. Panama is right on the way back to Spain. This way all the treasures, stolen from Peru, were crossing and shipped.
All kinds of pirates from England, Portugal, and France were active in the archipelago. They were harassing the Spanish fleets. And by the way they were pretty good preys for these pirates, when weather problems obliged them to find a sheltered place between the islands. People say that the name of CONTADORA comes from the place where these pirates were counting their plunders (To count is contar in Spanish).

THE CREWS

Catamaran Athena

French captain/owner Manu did several transatlantic passages and sailed a lot in the Caribbean. His wife, Cristina, is specialist in sea food cooking: she is Spanish! They have their 2 y/o daughter Luna aboard

Guido and Patrizia,
Damischa owners

Guido and Patrizia are Italians circumnavigators in the young fifties.

Both speak Italian, Spanish, English and some French.

They have been sailing around the world for 4 years and have been to many places such as: Canaries, Cape Verde, Brazil, French Guyana, Surinam, Tobago, Grenada, Curacao, Colombia, San Blas and most of the Caribbean up to St Martin.

Guido has also an Italian Captain sailing license.

Italian also means great food: Guido makes delicious pasta and Patrizia loves to cook home made pizzas and a lot more…

Fishing equipment being also available aboard, Guido trains guests to catch some of the numerous fishes of The Pearl Islands and...Patrizia prepares delicious recipes on basis of this catch of the day.

An air compressor is available onboard for guests wishing to scuba dive (one can also choose to dive with a local dive club)

Learn About the Yacht or Contact Us

THE FORMULA

This is a crewed charter all included aboard

Charter includes

• Rental of the boat with skipper & hostess
• Sheets and towels,
• Fuel, gasoline, water tank supply,
• Hard bottom dinghy with outboard engine,
• Snorkeling gears,
• Fishing lines,
• All meals on board (catch of the day, best meat from town, fresh fruits and vegetables), lobsters are served (if available) very 3 diners but crew would be happy to accommodate any extra (at guests expense).
• All drinks in reasonable consumption: fruit juices, purified water, sodas, beers & wine (white and red) during meals. Other class of drink can be supplied on request and at guest’s expenses). General cleaning of the yacht after the charter

Charter does not include

• Personal accidental and third part liability insurance that must be carried by guests*
• Transportation land/boat/land
• Personal expenses, tips.

* Optional Insurance (recommended)

The Panamanian company ANCON insurances offer guests a traveling insurance: It is an extra USD 5.00 per day and per person. We have a Word Document available (on request plse) which contains all necessary information in case you need insurance for your sailing trip. It includes the insurance coverage and a form for you to fill your personal details.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If guest cancel the charter of part of the charter
(in this last case pro-rata per day)

The catamaran ATHENA 38’ is distributed by YBIS Inc. SAN BLAS SAILING