Your San Blas Sailing Itinerary: Lobster, Islands, and Unreal Water in Panama
Estimated read time: ~6 minutes
365 Islands, One Unforgettable Adventure
The San Blas Islands are what you imagine when you hear “paradise” — and then some. Picture a chain of palm-dotted, white-sand islands, scattered across glassy turquoise water with no resorts, no crowds, and barely any signs of modern life. Just the soft rustle of coconut trees, colorful coral beneath the surface, and the occasional dugout canoe gliding past your yacht.
Located along Panama’s Caribbean coast, the San Blas archipelago is home to the Guna people, an indigenous community that has lived here for generations. Sailing through their territory is not only a natural wonder — it’s a cultural journey. You’ll buy fresh lobster directly from local fishermen, snorkel beside coral reefs brimming with life, and fall asleep in anchorages where your yacht might be the only one for miles.
If you’re craving something raw, real, and wildly beautiful — this is the sailing vacation for you.
How to Get There
Most travelers fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, then transfer by road to Linton Bay Marina on Panama’s northern Caribbean coast. The drive takes around 2.5–3 hours and offers a glimpse of lush countryside and coastal villages.
From Linton Bay, you’ll board your yacht and sail east into the archipelago — beginning your journey through shallow turquoise channels, coral reefs, and sandy islets. This is one of the most remote and untouched sailing grounds in the Caribbean, where the journey is as stunning as the destinations.
Culture, Coral & Coconut Trees
There’s no one way to do the San Blas, but here are a few unforgettable moments you can count on:
🐚 Snorkeling in Shallow Coral Gardens
The waters are crystal-clear and alive with marine life — sea stars, reef fish, rays, and even nurse sharks. Bring a mask, and you’ll spend half your time in the water.
🦞 Lobster & Seafood Straight from the Dugout Canoe
Fishermen paddle up to your boat offering fresh lobster, crab, and fish. Cook it onboard or grill it on the beach. It’s ocean-to-table at its purest.
🌴 Uninhabited Islands, Just for You
There are hundreds of tiny, coconut-tree-covered islets to explore. Many have no buildings or boats — just soft white sand and the sound of your own footsteps.
🏝️ Guna Culture & Community
Spend a day visiting a Guna village on one of the inhabited islands. Learn about traditional crafts, meet local families, and experience a different way of life — simple, connected, and full of dignity.
🛶 Cayos Holandeses, Isla Perro & Chichime
These iconic islands offer perfect anchorages, great snorkeling, and those surreal postcard views. Isla Perro is known for a sunken shipwreck you can snorkel above, and Chichime feels like the perfect castaway retreat.
Suggested 7-Day Sailing Itinerary (Round Trip from Linton Bay)
The distances are short, the sailing is smooth, and the rhythm is slow — exactly how it should be.
Day 1: Linton Bay > Isla Verde (2.5 hrs)
Set sail and ease into the week with a quiet anchorage. Swim, snorkel, and settle into the rhythm of life at sea.
Day 2: Isla Verde > Chichime (2 hrs)
Arrive at one of the most beloved islands in San Blas. Ringed by reef and dotted with palms, Chichime is a snorkeler’s and paddleboarder’s dream.
Day 3: Chichime > Cayos Holandeses (2.5 hrs)
Sail to this remote cluster of islands for some of the clearest water in the Caribbean. Spend the day exploring uninhabited islets and vibrant reefs.
Day 4: Holandeses > Coco Bandero (2 hrs)
A short sail to another postcard-perfect anchorage. Take the dinghy to explore sandbars, or just relax on the bow with a book and a breeze.
Day 5: Visit a Guna Village (nearby island)
Anchor near a Guna-inhabited island and spend the day connecting with the local community. Shop for handwoven molas, enjoy homemade coconut bread, and learn about a culture that has fiercely preserved its traditions.
Day 6: Coco Bandero > Isla Perro (2 hrs)
Snorkel the famous wreck at Isla Perro and take one last swim in these perfect waters. Enjoy a final lobster BBQ on the beach under the stars.
Day 7: Isla Perro > Linton Bay (3 hrs)
Sail back toward the mainland and disembark at Linton Bay, tanned, salty, and completely renewed.
Best Time to Visit
San Blas is good year-round, but the best sailing conditions fall between December and April.
• Dry Season (Dec–Apr): Cooler nights, more stable winds, less rain
• Green Season (May–Nov): Warmer, more humid, occasional rain or squalls — but also fewer boats
Water temps hover around 27–29°C (80–84°F), and visibility is great for snorkeling most of the year.
Why a Sailing Vacation is Ideal
The truth is, there’s no better way to experience San Blas than by boat. The islands are only accessible by sea, and many are too remote for day tours.
With a yacht, you can reach hidden anchorages, snorkel reefs with no one else around, and move with the sun. Every island has a different feel — some cultural, some wild, some peaceful beyond words. Your floating home gives you access, freedom, and the chance to really disconnect from everything except the wind, the sea, and the moment.
Recommended Sailing Experience Level
San Blas is best suited for those who love off-grid adventure. Navigation is relatively easy: flat seas, short passages, and lots of shelter. But there are no marinas, no provisioning stops, and very little infrastructure — which is why it’s often best experienced on a skippered or crewed yacht.
This trip is ideal for:
• Adventurous couples
• Families looking for real-world experiences
• Travelers seeking culture, calm, and nature in its purest form
Remote, Radiant, and Completely Real
Sailing through the San Blas Islands is unlike any other Caribbean experience. There are no beach clubs, no cruise ships, no chain restaurants — just coconut trees, coral reefs, and ancient culture held together by water.
It’s the kind of trip that opens your eyes and quiets your mind. If you’re ready for something raw, relaxed, and real — the San Blas will give you everything you didn’t know you needed.
Ready to Set Sail?
Let’s plan your once-in-a-lifetime sailing trip through the San Blas Islands. Whether you want to snorkel coral gardens, eat fresh lobster on a beach, or meet the Guna people face-to-face — we’ll make it happen. Contact Sail.Wind.Sea to begin your Panama sailing adventure.