Panama's Lost Coast Excursions
The Lost Coast Explorer draws 12 feet of water, ensuring that while anchored up in bays and inlets we are not moving around with the seas. It takes a sizable wave to actually make the boat move. It is extremely stable. What does this mean to you? Calm cruising and a sound nights sleep.
The boat was renovated into an explorer yacht with your comfort in mind. With eight double occupancy staterooms that are heated and air conditioned, The Lost Coast Explorer offers comfort in a luxurious environment. It has a large entertainment room with dartboards, card tables, and a flat screen television, to ensure that you remain entertained. The Lost Coast Explorer also has a satellite phone system. There is a charge for time used that can be settled up at the end of your stay.
A large dining room provides ample seating accommodations inside with views of the ocean, but the best view is experienced while dining on the back deck. The rear deck is 25 feet by 29 feet wide, which allows ample room for evening activities such as watching the sun set on the horizon.
Ready for Action
The Lost Coast Explorer travels with a 19' sport boat and two 24' offshore runners that we use for our activities, and is outfitted with a 12,000-pound crane that can actually lift these boats onto the deck for repairs if necessary. These boats are outfitted for fishing, diving, surfing, and beach transfers. We carry two spare outboard motors with us that are available as backups in the event that our boats experience mechanical difficulties. If this does happen, we will swap motors ensuring that you never miss a day on the water. The Lost Coast Explorer also has a walk-in freezer, an additional freezer, and storage space.
Exquisite Diving
"Coiba Island is one of the last relics of tropical moist forest in Pacific Central America, a site of great beauty and great marine and terrestrial diversity, preserving endemic and endangered species. The coral reefs exemplify successful reef growth under sheltered but very restricted conditions and serve as a refuge and source of species replenishment for other islands, including the Cocos and Galapagos, during and after El Nino disturbances."
Why Dive Coiba?
Pristine Environment: Coiba National Park is the largest Marine Park in Central America and now a World Heritage Site. Coiba has only begun to be explored by scientists and adventurers. A small ranger station and an old prison are the only structures within the park. There are no towns or resorts in this location.
Rich Reef Corals, High Number of Endemic Marine Species and Corals: Reef Corals have not been as affected by the recent El Nino Bleaching episode. These warm water currents have greatly affected the reef corals of the Galapagos Islands and the Cocos Islands.
We are easy to get to: Direct flights from the US to Panama City Panama are available from Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Upon your arrival, we will transport you via vehicle to the Lost Coast Explorer (approximately 3 hour). Once aboard, we begin diving and touring!
Unexplored Territory: We are constantly making new discoveries. First descents are not only possible, they are encouraged as we continue to research this vast marine park. Local scientists are also finding new species of coral, fish, insects and marine animals regularly. Coiba Island has been nicknamed the new Galapagos.
Why is the Hannibal Bank Still Relatively Unknown?
History: For years, the surrounding islands were used by the Panamanian Government as penal colonies. The area was not open to tourism or recreation as the government kept some of their worst prisoners isolated upon the islands. Today this has changed. The prisoners have been removed and the area is now designated a national park and a world heritage site.
Location: The Hannibal bank is located over 50 miles from the Panamanian mainland. A boat ride here takes a minimum of three hours from most locations. The best way to access these areas is to cut out the commute and stay on our live aboard, the Lost Coast Explorer.
What Will I See When I Dive Coiba?
Rays: mobula rays, devil rays, eagle rays
Turtles: leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, olive ridley turtle, loggerhead turtle
Whales: sperm whales, Bryde's whales, killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales
Dolphins: bottlenose dolphin, spotted dolphin, Central American spinner dolphin, common dolphin
Sharks: whale shark, tiger shark, bull shark, black-tip c, silky c, white-tip reef shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, nurse shark
760 species of fish, including: giant tuna, blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, amber jacks, wahoo, dorado, flying fish, rainbow runners, rooster fish, barracuda, mackarel, angelfish, scissortail, chromis, gag cabrila, sergeant majors, barberfish, butterfly fish, cubera snapper, grunts, damselfish, blennies, puffers, creolfish, blue finned, trevally, jawfish, scorpionfish, hawkfish, group
Also seen on site: lobster, grunts, harlequin shrimp, sea cucumbers, moray eels, sea snakes
More Activitires
White Sand Beaches and Crystal Blue Waters
After an exciting day on the water, we encourage you to take a stroll on the many islands white sand beaches, or take our kayaks out in search of bottlenose dolphins and flying fish. The islands in this area boast on of the richest varieties of bird life in the world. Take a guided tour through the jungle on Coiba Island in search of leaf cutter ants, exotic insects, and the occasional sloth. You may even see howling monkeys or hear their call during the end of the day. Whatever activities you choose, your experience in Panama will be one you will not forget.
Cruising
Cruising in and out of the islands that separate the open ocean from inside waters on the west side of Panama is truly something spectacular. This is a place with white sand beaches and clear blue water, where fishermen still paddle out in hand carved canoes to their fishing grounds. This area is protected by the Coiba National Park and the Cerra Hoya National Park. Both parks are a refuge to birds, a variety of animals, reptiles, native flora and fauna, reef, and, of course, fish. Immerse yourself in the tropical experience and take a step back in time. This is the Lost Coast.
Surfing
During our voyage aboard The Lost Coast Explorer, we will be traveling through a series of islands that all offer exceptional surfing. We have 27 surf spots that we visit regularly, and there are still many locations that are being explored. You can combine surfing with other activities in one day. The opportunity to combine different activities is what Lost Coast Excursions is all about - the next activity is just a short boat ride away. For inexperienced surfers, we do offer surf lessons and can provide long boards at any time during your stay.
Diving
For those of you who wish to do some diving, you can schedule diving every day or you can combine diving with other activities. We do have a compressor on board, and tanks for up to 16 divers at a time. Our staff includes experienced open water divers. Experience the thrill of diving in water with 100' visibility. Grab some oysters. Maybe you will get a chance to dive with the whale sharks that frequent this area. (Two days of diving is permitted during your adventure travel trip.)
Snorkeling
Jump off the dock at any time while The Lost Coast Explorer is anchored up for some great snorkeling. If you enjoy free diving and wish to do a little spear fishing, we have that equipment available for you. Grab a couple lobsters before dinner!
Jungle Tours
In the Coiba National Park there is a spectacular jungle tour that is available to you at any time. You can do a half hour tour or do a full day hike through Coiba Island. Coiba Island has a multitude of indigenous species of plant life, animal life, reptiles, and bird life that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. The Smithsonian has a research center in the park that allows them to study these unique species.
Ocean Fishing
The waters of Coiba National Park offer some of the best fishing in the world. During your trip, we will target cubera snapper and roosterfish, and will have opportunities at blue marlin, black marlin, and yellowfin tuna.
Inshore Fishing
With the use of a jet sled we can travel up rivers and fish estuaries with ease, so that you can cast flies or lures for all types of inshore species. Snook, roosterfish, snapper, and bonito are all a blast on light tackle.
Whale Watching
While traveling aboard The Lost Coast Explorer, you will have the opportunity to see many whales of different types.
