Las Perlas - General Info

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Description:

The Archipelago de Las Perlas (Pearl Islands) is made up of more than 220 islands and islets, only 90 of which are named and even fewer are inhabited.

Located some 56 kms (35 miles) from Panama City, off the Pacific coast, the islands are a popular stopover for yachts en route to the Galapagos Islands.

These islands first gained notoriety in 1513 in the days of Vasco Nunez de Balboa’s discovery of the Pacific Ocean.  It is said that he encountered a group of Indians, resplendent in pearls, paddling boats who told him of their rich pearl beds.  Although he never actually went to the islands, he named them “Islas de Las Perlas” (Pearl Islands).

Cruiser Highlights:

There are plenty of anchorages to choose from, mostly deserted where you can enjoy the peace of tranquility of the islands.

Entrance Notes or Cautions:

There are navigational challenges to stopping in Las Perlas islands.  Tides can be as large as five metres so care is required when finding an anchorage and when landing a dinghy ashore.

Security:

Cruising boats are advised to cruise here with caution, following two violent armed robberies that occurred in February and March 2023.

Be vigilant, lock up your boat and belongings and exercise a high degree of caution when anchoring or sailing in the Archipelago, particularly in the vicinity of San Miguel.

See cruiser comments for more info. (speech bubble icon in blue bar).

Position:

08°37.20’N  79° 02.08’W (Contadora Island)

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Las Perlas was last updated 12 months ago.

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  1. February 13, 2023 at 5:49 PM
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    sue-richards says:

    While CSSN does not include Pacific anchorages in their database reporting, a recent event In Las Perlas has come to their attention. This is a common first stop for yachts that are west bound after transiting the Panama Canal.

    A yacht anchored off Isla del Rey on Isla de Espiritu Santo was boarded by 3 men armed with guns at about 2000HRS. The crew was made to lie face down in the cockpit with guns to their heads while the yacht was thoroughly ransacked, and everything stolen. The radio was disabled before they departed. There were no physical injuries. The yacht sought assistance from another yacht the next morning and both departed the area. It is unclear if a police report was made. See https://safetyandsecuritynet.org/cssn-news-february-13-2023-armed-boarding-in-las-perlas-panama/ for updates.

  2. August 7, 2020 at 5:08 PM
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    sue-richards says:

    Thanks so much for picking up on this! It had the minus sign missing on the DD position – all fixed now! Much appreciated.

  3. January 4, 2019 at 8:58 PM
    Data Entry3 says:

    Robbery Report.

    On the 29/12/2018, at about 7 pm, on Rio Cacique Anchorage, while we were out of the boat, we were boarded and robbed. The boat was closed but not padlocked. There were 2 other sailing boats in the anchorage.

    Laptop, tablet, phone, iPod, binoculars and a backpack were taken. Next morning a report was made with the police at the La Esmeralda village. Suspects were rounded up but nothing was found. Beware.

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