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Malpelo/Coiba Journey March 24th – April 9th 2003 Start in Panama city with a very experienced group that already has been everywhere, as well new cook and new crew. Visibility in the gulf of Panama was less good. Quiet passage to Malpelo, first sailing, later under engine. Outstanding conditions in Malpelo, always good weather and clear water. Found the place with the gigantic sand tiger sharks - in a water depth of 50-60 meters ! Very close encounters with them at every dive there (always the first of the day). Passage Malpelo - Coiba first quietly, later strong wind of 25 knots right on the nose with waves up to 4 meters. 2 dives canceled because of bad weather. The new cook does not fulfill the expectations, the new crew is very good. The wind direction changes - great sailing with up to 11 knots. Strong surf at the islands around Coiba which made the water murky and the diving at some places impossible. We decided to move to Hannibal bank earlier. Much better conditions there. On dives there, we are surrounded almost permanently by big schools of snappers and mackerel. The sea is again mirror smooth. The captain has his 40th birthday. Watching a group of pilot whales on the return trip to Coiba and snorkel with them! The conditions in the south of Coiba are now much better. Encounters with hammerhead sharks, always whitetip reef sharks, and a giant school of mobulas (devil rays) are worth mentioning. Diving several new places on the south coast of Panama - almost always successfully. Enormous amounts of fish. The alcohol on The entrance to David is impossible because of the strong surf. The guests are brought to an alternative place and are transferred with a minus bus to Panama city, as planned. |
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The highlight was the dive with 6 sandtigers of approx. 4 meter length as well as a hammer shark of the same size. In addition many encounters with schools of hammerhead sharks and always schools of tuna and mackerel as well as manta, eagle rays etc.