The whale watching journey begins
The boat was a spacious catamaran, designed to make the trip comfortable. It had plenty of seating and enough room for all the tourists to enjoy the journey without feeling crowded. The boat also had air conditioning, which made the experience even better. Among the passengers were biologists, families with kids, and other curious travelers, all excited for the adventure.
There were two guides on board—one for Spanish speakers and one for English speakers. Both guides were friendly, energetic, and knowledgeable, keeping everyone engaged and answering any (if not all) questions about the whales and the trip.
Our first time watching whales in Panama
After about an hour, we spotted our first whales. Our captain spotted whales and called us out of the boat to see them.
Suddenly, all the tourists fell quiet. Not a word was spoken. The silence was broken by a loud blow, followed by a chorus of ‘Wows.’
Children and adults were equally amazed. Two whales together. We finally saw them: a mother and her calf, swimming just 50 meters (164ft) away from the boat.
We really didn’t imagine a measure of how big they were going to be. All guesses were wrong.
It was the baby’s blow we heard first, followed by mamma. Here’s where you feel humbled and give thanks for this precious moment. Words can’t fully describe the feeling of seeing these majestic gentle creatures in the wild. Their power and grace were breathtaking and although they didn’t jump for long, we were grateful for that magical moment.
About 20 minutes later, we were in for another treat. This time, seven enormous whales appeared, leaping out of the water just 30 meters from the boat! Watching these massive animals jump was incredible, and even though they were so close, we never felt in danger. The guides did an amazing job explaining everything as it happened, making sure we understood and appreciated the experience.
X marks the spot
After this incredible encounter, the captain took us to Punta Bajo Rico Island to continue the trip. After some minutes, we started to see islands and, it could be silly, but the first thing that came to my mind was “pirates!”. These islands covered in rainforests, the splash of the waves, the birds, the crystal-clear waters and white sand clean beaches looked like something from a treasure hunt. It was easy to imagine hidden loot buried everywhere you looked.
Sonny Island Resort is an eco-friendly place with very welcoming staff. They explained some simple rules about respecting the environment. We had access to beach chairs, clean bathrooms, and fun beach games. Sonny Island is fully powered by solar energy, and the cabins are built from sustainable wood, giving the place a modern, eco-friendly vibe just steps from the beach.
Bathrooms are clean and the showers are easy to use and offer some privacy.
Lunch was simple but delicious. We had chicken skewers with vegetables, potatoes, and corn. Afterward, we explored the area a bit more and discovered a small cave. I have to confess that I looked for the treasure trove for some minutes.
Some of the other tourists mentioned a bigger cave further down the beach, but since it was starting to drizzle, we decided not to risk going any further.
