The islands

Briefly, the Bocas del Toro archipelago consists of nine main islands, along with numerous smaller islands, featuring abundant and well-preserved mangroves protected by local authorities.

The area has few beaches and is generally shielded from external swells, except on the Atlantic-facing side. The winds are moderate, as we are at the tail end of the trade winds that eventually die down along the Panamanian coast. Locally, the wind generally comes from the west and north, while in winter, the trade winds tend to blow more from the northeast.

Coastal sailing can be uncomfortable due to currents and inconsistent winds, but navigating the interior islands by lancha is straightforward. Some chop can develop on open waters, but it quickly subsides with the wind. Naturally, a small boat will be more affected by wind and chop than a larger lancha, so it’s important to adapt and keep basic safety rules in mind.

The cyclones

Another significant point is that Panama is largely unaffected by the cyclones that can impact the Caribbean and extend from northern Costa Rica to Florida. For instance, Hurricane Otto in 2016 originated off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, brushed past the San Blas Islands and the Colón region, causing some damage and casualties, but passed about 250 kilometers from Bocas del Toro.

Similarly, Hurricane Eta in 2020 brought heavy rains, resulting in landslides and flooding, but caused little wind damage.