Panama is Known for Bird Watching,
but Whale Watching?
By Juan Carlos Martinez
For five months out of the year mammals migrate to the Panamanian Pacific in order to reproduce. Anyone who has sailed the Panamanian Pacific has seen the impressive spectacle of humpback whales swimming and leaping. This brief glimpse into a wonderful marine world can be had from June to November in the pristine waters of Panama's Pacific coast.
Every year from June to November first the males arrive, then the mothers with their young and finally the pregnant females. During these five months black bodied whales with blue pectoral fins migrate long distances looking for a warm sanctuary to spend the austral winter in. These warm waters favor reproduction and the health and well being of the young.
Some of the key spots in Panama where you will be able to see cetaceans are Coiba, Taboga and the Las Perlas Archipelago. They also winter in the Gulf of Chiriqui, San Miguel, Isla Iguana and the Bay of Panama. This is a tourist activity which only a select few take advantage off. Most tourists are seduced by the beach resorts, city shopping and nightlife.
Panama has pledged itself to protecting cetaceans and has stood by its commitment in the last meetings of the International Whaling Commission supporting the ban on whaling. Panama's Marine Resources Authority (ARAP acronym in Spanish) has also regulated the whale watching activity through Resolution 29 of January 2007. The first step in regulating the activity is to train the people who will be conducting whale watching activities in order to teach them the correct way to approach cetaceans. Likewise a contingency plan for beached cetaceans is being developed.
It is interesting to note that cetaceans migrate from the North and from the South to winter in Panama. Not only whales can be seen but also spotted and bottle nose dolphins among others, however humpback whales are the unquestionable stars. The males can measure up to 15 meters and the females, bigger, can reach 19 meters.
Any whale watching must be done without interrupting or molesting the normal course of whales. It is recommended that any boat stay at least 100 yards from the whales, parallel to their path, kill the engines and wait for the whales to approach the boat. Once the whale approaches within 100 yards depart away from the whale.
Several companies in Panama can set you up with whale watching tours. The season is just underway so do not miss this wonderful opportunity.
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