Pearl
Islands Panama
In pre-Columbian times, the Pearl Islands were ruled by an Indian
king whose subjects' main occupation was pearl-diving. Pearls were
then used as ornaments and to trade. Some of the most renowned
pearls in the world were collected in these waters.
The Pearl Islands awoke the greed of the Spaniards. Vasco Nunez de
Balboa, who discovered and named the Pacific Ocean from a
point less than 90 kilometers from San Jose Island, was attracted
by its wealth in gold and pearls. Later on, the Pearl Island
sheltered famous pirates of different nationalities that for
several centuries looted the wealthy Spanish settlements and fleets.
The Pearl Islands is an archipelago located directly South of
Panama City. San Jose Island is the second largest of the
Pearl Islands, with 44 sq. kilometers, located in the middle of
the Gulf of Panama and just 90 kilometers away from Panama City.
It can be reached by boat in approximately 2 hours, and by
propeller plane in 20 minutes. We gladly handle all reservations
for air travel to and from the island.
 Over
57 radiant white, black and gold
beaches and coves surround San Jose Island, embedded between the
temperate and calm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Panama and the lush green vegetation that covers the whole island.
The coastline is very irregular, affording many anchorage
locations. Many fresh-water rivers
and streams flow into the ocean creating a food source
for many species of fish.
This provides excellent opportunities for exciting inshore fishing.
The waters of San Jose abound in tropical game fish, and are
considered-among the best deep sea fishing grounds in the
world.
Never do San Jose game-seekers return empty-handed. 16 black
marlin world records have been conquered in these waters. Marlin,
large Pacific sailfish, tuna, dolphin, wahoo, amberjack, cobera
and red snapper, corvina and mackerel, as well as marine turtles,
lobster, shrimp, giant oysters, clams and mussels make this a
paradise for fishermen and divers!
The soil is extremely
fertile and nourishes a wide variety of vegetation including
gallery forests with trees rising 80 feet and higher, with
occasional arboreal giants. Coconut palms and wild sugar cane are
found along the coastline. Several hitherto unknown plants have
been found here, and were named after World War II commanders,
such as Gen. Bullone, Lt. Colonel-Thompson and Major Campbell.
Wildlife is abundant with a population of over 3,000 wild pigs and
large quantities of deer, iguanas, agoutis, parrot and giant
pigeons. There are more than 100 species of birds located on the
island.
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