The Pearl Islands Panama

(Las Islas Perlas)

For a destination that’s rich in natural beauty, with a storied past, and a few pop culture sprinkles on top, we offer for your consideration the delightful Pearl Islands in Panama. If you’re thinking to yourself: “That sounds so familiar, where have I heard of the Pearl Islands before?”. We’re guessing it’s because the CBS reality show Survivor was filmed there. In fact, the islands are so nice, they filmed there twice!

The Ultimate Guide To The Pearl Islands In Panama

Panama’s Pearl Islands, or Islas Perlas en Español, got their name thanks to the rich bounty of pearls that once could be found there. One could say that back in the day it was a real “pirate-about-town” hot spot. This gorgeous archipelago of more than 250 islands is located in the Gulf of Panama just west of Panama City. Though most of them are uninhabited (one reason it was a great choice for Survivor), some of the islands do have residents living there full time (another reason it was a great choice for Survivor). No matter where you go or what you do, each island offers unique experiences and their own perspective too.

Here we’re checking out some of the more popular Pearl Island island hotspots, and the fun activities you can do there.

Where Are Panama’s Pearl Islands?

This picturesque archipelago of more than 250 islands and islets, mostly uninhabited. The Pearl Islands are about 48 km (30 mi) SE of Panama City.

There was a time when the Pearl Islands were accessible only to the wealthy and elite. The luxurious white sand beaches, unspoiled natural beauty, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for scuba diving and whale watching, were exclusive only to a handful of people. And the few holiday accommodations that were available, were priced with the jet set in mind.

But when the Panama ferry system opened up, so did the Pearl Islands. Now nearly anyone can visit! And with a wide range of available activities throughout the 250+ islands, it’s fun for the whole family.

How To Get To Pearl Islands From Panama City

As you might expect, the easiest and most reliable way to travel from Panama City to the Pearl Islands is by boat. Daily ferries are available to Saboga and Contadora islands via the Sea Las Perlas ferry line. Contadora Island does have an airport, and if that’s the preferred mode of travel, our best advice is to book well in advance so you have as much flexibility as possible. If air is the required mode of travel, however, a private charter from Albrook Airport is the way to go. Only small craft can land there.

Beach Breaks And Charter Dates

With Panama City located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, and Pearl Islands being, well, islands, it’s easy to see why getting around by boat is the norm. And as you might expect, ferries aren’t your only option for experiencing this incredible 250+ island playground.

There are plenty of charter options, and one of our favorites is an afternoon aboard a nice, stable, roomy, 56 foot catamaran. Sip cocktails, lounge on the bow, and really be transported (literally and figuratively) to a whole other place. Get the details on this perfect Panama vacation experience.

If you’d like to kick it up a notch, you and your friends need a sleek 27′ Proline with twin outboard motors. This is the perfect vehicle for beach hopping, whale watching, snorkeling, sport fishing, and whatever else you want to do! Take a look here.

With so many incredible, unspoiled beaches, the Pearl Islands are a beach bum’s paradise! If you’re looking to get out on the water and find yourself a comfy chaise somewhere, there is a whole world of options available to you. Hitch a boat ride from Panama City, and find yourself soaking up the sun in paradise in no time flat (tiny umbrella drink: check). Find all our fun-in-the-sun beach breaks, and the perfect one for you, here.

When Can You See Whales In the Pearl Islands?

Peak whale watching season in Panama is between July and October. The sweet spot being all throughout the month of September. During peak season, thousands of humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Panama’s warm waters. The Pearl islands become a whale nursery as they give birth and raise their calves.

The warmer waters surrounding the Equator provide the ideal conditions for humpback whales to breed and protect their offspring, and Panama is located in the middle of their transit route. So during “peak season” there are whales from the southern hemisphere from July through October, but Panama also welcomes these gentle giants from the northern hemisphere from January to March. That means whale watching in Panama is possible nearly all year long which makes it easy to see why whale watching is among the top things to do in Panama City.

While humpback whales are certainly the headliner, blue whales, orcas, minke whales, whale sharks, sperm whales, and dolphins also make frequent appearances. There are actually 12 species of dolphins in Panama’s tropical waters, 7 of which are found on the Pacific side. For more detailed information on whale watching in Panama, check out our whale watching guide.

At The Real Deal, we work hard to provide a variety of fun and interesting things to do, and we love whale watching! So we’ve curated a variety of experiences to choose from. Everything from private charters to whale watching plus beach breaks is there for the taking! Find the whale watching excursion in Panama that suits you.

Contadora Island: Toes-In-Sand Luxury

Part of Contadora Island’s rich history involves the Spanish Conquistadors using it a lot like a “customs stop of the sea”. Contadora was something of a nautical way station, to stop and tally their plundered booty, before continuing the long journey back to Spain. The word “contadora” translates to “bookkeeper”, or “counter” in Spanish, a name bestowed upon the island because of this very important function it served back in the day.

The most populated of the Pearl Islands, Contadora is known for its fabulous resorts and well-to-do residents… Contadora is a favorite getaway for the more elite Panamanians looking to escape the hubbub of Panama City.

Contadora boasts several of the most luxurious white sand beaches you’ll find anywhere in the world. Caribbean-esque turquoise waters with brightly colored coral reefs and a menagerie of tropical clown fish, angel fish, parrot fish, stingrays, and countless others await you.

Saboga Island: Instant Paradise

Ah, Saboga… with supermodel good looks and a still-untouched feel, it is simply paradise, and a must-see for its impossibly beautiful terrain and unspoiled beaches.

Though it’s located just 35 miles away from Panama City, this is actually one of the “far-off” locales where Survivor was filmed. With 10 glorious beaches and coves tucked throughout thick jungle vegetation, it’s the perfect way to get away from it all.

Saboga offers high end condos, a quaint village and beach club, eco-tourism excursions, water sports, and some of the most amazing hiking in the Pearl Islands you can imagine. For a picturesque and relaxing escape that’s just a short ferry ride from Panama City, consider a jaunt over to swanky Saboga!

Sonny Island: The Middle Of Nowhere

Sonny Island Resort is located at Punta Bajo Rico, in the middle of the Pearl Islands archipelago. The address could have been “middle of nowhere” and that too would be accurate. It’s floating out there, just about a mile away (1.4 km) from Contadora, and 8 miles (13 km) from Saboga. Talk about getting away from it all!

Sonny Island is a wonderful resort full of fun activities to do, and we can get you there on a beach break for the day. It’s the perfect way to spend time on the water, experience the Pearl Islands, and really chill out.

Chapera Island: Not Just Another Survivor Set

With thousands of whales migrating from both hemispheres to mate and breed around the Pearl Islands, whale watching tours are one of the top things to do in Panama City… and Chapera Island is just the place to go. Located south of Contadora Island, this is another wild and untamed locale that was chosen for Survivor. So close, yet a world away.

You can see what we mean when you board a double decker catamaran for an all-inclusive day of whale watching in the Pearl Islands. Find yourself in an island paradise, complete with beach volleyball, music, BBQ, and of course whatever you love to drink! The after party is on the boat, heading back to the city just in time to catch the sunset dipping off the edge of the sea. Book it here.

If your ideal day is more like 4-5 hours on a beach with tiny umbrella drinks and a hot DJ spinning tunes, what you really need is the Ultimate Sunday Funday. Set sail in the early morning, and set off for a whole other world. Talk about a perfect way to end the week! If this sounds like the perfect thing, you can reserve your spot here.

Bolaños Island: Fun And Learning

If you like your whale watching with a scientific flair, and your snorkeling amazing, then you’ve got to check out our Bolaños Island beach break. The best and most respected whale watching guides in Panama teamed up with Taboga Express Fast Ferry to create the most unique whale watching experience you’ll find anywhere.

As you cruise out to the Pearl Islands on the ferry you’ll get a chance to listen to the whales on a hydrophone, and after the tour you can take home some gorgeous photos of the whales you saw that day. You’ll have a chance to snorkel in some of the most pristine waters you’ve ever seen, and there’s a BBQ picnic lunch to be had before your magical Bolaños Island adventure comes to an end. Sound like a blast? Our Pearl Islands & Isla Bolaños Beach Break is the most legit & informative whale watching tour in Panama!

Taboga Island: Not Quite the Pearl Islands, But A Quick Weekend Beach Escape From Panama City

Taboga, equally as quaint as all the others, is a fun choice and worth a visit particularly if you love immersing in the local culture and want to experience the day-to-day flow of the Pearl Islands. Taboga is a small and sweet island with a village rooted strongly in its history, where many of the locals still earn a living the traditional way… fishing.

This island offers several hotels as well as excellent restaurants, and is the perfect size for walking. If you need a respite from the hustle and bustle of car-filled streets, but still crave that local connection and feeling of being in the midst of it all, check out Taboga. At The Real Deal we offer a day trip which you can check out here, but if you’ve got a little time, this is a wonderful place to call home for the weekend.

The Pearl Islands: So Close, Yet So Far Away

If you’ve been looking for a destination that’s physically near all the action of Panama City but at the same time world’s away, check out the Pearl Islands! Each place offers unique perspectives on local life, culture and history. With whale watching, snorkeling, sailing, beach breaks and more, many adventurous possibilities await you… maybe even a cameo on Survivor?

Are you interested in learning more about Panama’s Pearl Islands? Check out our Pearl Island FAQs.