Sailing on the Pacific side of Panama is a bit different. We love the area. The scenery is stunning, the beaches are wide and huge. Wildlife is incredible, above and under the water.

However, especially if you just crossed the canal and come from the Caribbean side, the Pacific has its challenges.
Tides up to five meters make anchoring not so easy. The same goes for dinghy landings that have to be planned carefully (hint: it’s better to anchor the dinghy and swim to shore). There are strong currents at times. And if you come in the rainy season, you may wonder about the squalls and lightning that they bring.

However, when you come to the Pacific side of Panama, you realize the wisdom in the saying holds true:

If it was easy, everybody would do it

Again, especially coming from the Caribbean side: The sailboat anchorages on the Pacific side of Panama are empty. And when we say empty, we mean most of the time you will be on your own. Of course, if you are one of the cruisers looking for company, this may not be your cup of tea.

If you are into remote beaches where you can skinny-dip all day with only turtles and hermit crabs watching you, the Pacific side of Panama is exactly your thing.

We’ve lived in Panama since 2019 and have cruised Panama with our Sailing Catamaran Outventure since 2020. Here in this blog, we would like to present some of our favorite places in Panama, mostly on the Pacific coast.

And if you are in Panama without a sailboat or sailing catamaran, we may be available to show you this beautiful country from the ocean on a sailing catamaran day trip.

Sailing Catamaran Outventure at Buenaventura

Buenaventura in Panama – Guide to activities, things to do & excursions

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Playa Blanca & Rio Hato in Panama - Guide to activities, things to do & excursions
Fishing in Panama

Fishing, sport fishing, game fishing charters from Buenaventura, Playa Blanca & Rio Hato in Panama – Trolling & Casting

Fishing Trips & Charters in Rio Hato, Playa Blanca & Buenaventura in Panama
Hotel RIU Playa Blanca in Panama

Playa Blanca & Rio Hato in Panama – Guide to activities, things to do & excursions

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Playa Blanca & Rio Hato in Panama - Guide to activities, things to do & excursions
Buenaventura Marina

Buenaventura Marina – Information for Sailboat Cruisers and Motoryacht owners

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Buenaventura Marina in Panama - Guide for Sailors and other Boaters.

Santa Catalina / Veraguas / Panama

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Isla Iguana in Pedasi / Panama. Sailing to, anchoring and visiting the Island. 360 degree aerial drone photo.

Los Corales / Las Perlas / Panama – Anchorage

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Los Corales is a stunning anchorage within the Las Perlas archipelago in Panama.

Isla Iguana – Pedasi – sailing catamaran trip & anchorage

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Isla Iguana in Pedasi / Panama. Sailing to, anchoring and visiting the Island. 360 degree aerial drone photo.

Isla del Canal de Afuera

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You can clearly see the reef on this drone picture of the anchorage…

Otoque Island north / Panama – Anchorage

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SV Outventure nicely anchored at Los Corales in Las Perlas /…