Paunch contains reef bottom and breaks left and right. There are 2 or 3 different peaks you can take off from here. This wave is mellower than Dumpers and not quite as powerful. Paunch has long, “rippable” waves that are appropriate for all levels but it mostly attracts less experienced surfers because it is fun and less dangerous than most of the other breaks at Bocas. The waves can get as big as 12 feet, and hold size well. The bigger the wave, the more perfect the tube section. The road has recently been repaired so taxis are now able to reach Paunch. Depending on the swell size and direction this wave can be a fun playful soft shoulder to a pull in barrel with workable a shoulder. It is a reef break, so wear booties.
Paunch, Isla Colon
December 15, 2009 Leave a Comment
Bocas del Toro Research Station – The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution
December 9, 2009 Leave a Comment
At Colon Island in Panama ‘s Bocas del Toro region in the Caribbean, STRI has established a site for education and research, providing scientists and students with access to an extraordinary diversity of marine and terrestrial biota. This station is situated among areas of undisturbed forest, a remarkable coastal lagoon system, and numerous islands and reefs.
On Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro province, STRI built a center for a comprehensive program in research and education, focused on both marine and terrestrial environments.
Bocas del Toro is a complex region of islands, mainland bays, rivers and forested mountain slopes on the Caribbean side of the Panamanian isthmus. The very high diversity of marine and terrestrial ecosystems makes Bocas an ideal area to study natural environments. However, Bocas is also a socio-politically complex setting—a site with fisheries, growing tourism, agriculture and a significant population of endangered sea turtles and manatees. In short, Bocas comprises a model region for working on the important issue of sustainable multiple use.
Additionally, Bocas del Toro offers an ideal setting for conducting paleoecological studies to answer important questions about the history of the Isthmus of Panama. The rocks and fossils around Bocas hold the key to understanding when and where the Isthmus began rising, and when and where it closed, separating the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Pinpointing the time sequence of this division, which triggered the formation of the Gulf Stream, among other major natural events, has huge ramifications across varying fields of scientific inquiry as diverse as evolutionary biology and climatology.
Visiting the Bocas del Toro Research Station
Our priority is research, but we are always looking for better ways to communicate research results to a non-scientific audience, and to help increase awareness of the natural world. Our Education Program offers guided visits to school students, university students, international tourists and the general public. We emphasize the importance of conserving the unique ecosystems and the marvelous opportunity that they provide to scientists who wish to understand the environment we share.
The tour around the Bocas Research Station start visiting the bilingual exhibition “Our Reefs: Caribbean Connections”. This traveling exhibition was developed to promote awareness and creative problem,-solving in communities most directly affected by the changing status of Caribbean reefs. Then guides will give general information about research activities and a walk tour for the station new facilities.
Visiting Hours:
General public: Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 PM .
School groups: Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM or 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Reservations in advance are required.
Free admission.
Bocas del Toro
December 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
Bocas del Toro is a province of Panama. The capital is the city of Bocas del Toro, found on the island of Colon. The population of the province numbers some 89,300 people. Its extension is 8,745 kilometers and is formed by 9 principal islands. There are many plantation of plantains here, often called the oro verde or green gold of Central America.
Bocas town on Isla Colon is the party place of Panama. This is where you’ll be living the Carribean lifestyle, reggae, dreadlocks, beaches and parties. There’s no beaches in town but they’re a short boat ride away, some of the most beautiful in Panama. Isla Bastimentos is much more local and away from the party scene. Check it out if you want to get away from it all.
Hostel Aqua Lounge is across from Isla Colon($1 and 2 minutes) and right on the water. Hostel Gran Kahuna is on the main street, right across from where the boat drops you off and has a great balcony and open, airy rooms.
Direct buses leave Panama at 8pm from Albrook and arrives at about 7am. Or take a bus to David and then to Bocas.
