With its 400 acres of ancient tropical forest, coconut groves, lagoons, and mangroves, Isla Palenque offers a multitude of opportunities for hiking, exploration and wildlife sightings, but it is the beaches that first impress most visitors to the island. With over a dozen beaches ranging from the majestic 4000 foot long crescent-shaped Playa Palenque, to secluded, romantic spots that can only found by the adventurous, Isla Palenque’s various beaches offer something for everyone.
-
1 of 14
Beaches on Isla Palenque
This satellite photo of Isla Palenque shows and names its eleven major beaches. We’ll guide you through all of them in this slideshow, starting with Playa Palenque and moving counterclockwise around the island.
-
2 of 14
Playa Palenque
Playa Palenque is the island’s largest beach at over 3/4 of a mile in length. Its crescent shape is bounded by two rocky bluffs, with a third bluff cutting through the middle of the beach. Just to the east of this dividing bluff is the location of the resort’s beach amenities, and a perfect place to watch the sunset.
-
3 of 14
Cala Este
The beach at Cala Este (East Cove) is some 300 yards long. Protected on two sides and by Isla Palenquito to the southeast, it’s a great place for a leisurely swim. The tidal pool and mangroves on the north end of the beach are also a great place to explore the island’s varied ecosystems and watch for birds such as toucans, parrots, and egrets.
-
4 of 14
Playa Perdida and Playa Primera
This aerial photograph shows Playa Perdida on the left side and Playa Primera on the right. If you look closely, in between these beaches you can see one of the island’s many hidden beaches that can only be accessed through a little rock-climbing. Playa Primera is the location of the resort’s first Inn, and a beautiful spot for watching the sun rise over the islands of the adjacent marine park.
-
5 of 14
Playa Amelia and Playa Maria
Just behind Isletas Amelia and Maria (shown in the foreground) are two rocky beaches known as Playa Amelia and Playa Maria. During low tide, these beaches become a great launching-off point for a walk over to the two tiny islands that they face. Just don’t linger too long, or you’ll have to swim back!
-
6 of 14
Playa Giron and Playa Catalina
The north bay, where the marina will be located in a later phase of the resort, is home to two beaches separated by a bluff. Playa Girón is on the east side (the left in this photo), and Playa Catalina on the west (the right side here). As the calmest natural bay on the island, this area was long inhabited by a small family; Playa Catalina is named after the woman who spent the last sixty-odd years here.
-
7 of 14
Playas Ninos
All the way on the northeast tip of the island, near the estuary and sandbar that connects Isla Palenque to Isla Boca Brava during low tides, lie two beaches with warm, calm and shallow waters. Named Playas Ninos, they make perfect locations for small children to play in the water and on the sands.
-
8 of 14
Playa Boca Brava
Just south of Playas Ninos, and just west of Playa Palenque, is the eastern edge of Playa Boca Brava. Playa Boca Brava runs from Isla Palenque all the way along the southern edge of Isla Boca Brava. At nearly five miles, it’s an amazing beach for taking a jog or doing some horseback riding.
-
9 of 14
Crashing Waves
This photograph of waves crashing against volcanic rocks at Playa Palenque hints at the forces which shape all of Isla Palenque’s beaches.
-
10 of 14
Swirling Wave Pattern
An aerial photograph reveals the swirling patterns formed by the waves along Playa Palenque as the tide retreats.
-
11 of 14
Zebra Striped Sand
Playa Palenque and Playa Cale Este feature unique “zebra-striped” beaches, formed by the combination of coral and volcanic sands.
-
12 of 14
Crab on Playa Palenque
When shot up-close, this crab looks like it belongs in a low-budget horror flick. But in reality it is just a few inches tall, and an example of some of the marine life that calls Palenque’s beaches home, attracting other wildlife as well, such as raccoons, armadillos, and various bird species.
-
13 of 14
Adam Elliott on Playa Palenque
In 2009, we invited photographer Adam Elliott to take a break from his Alaskan winter and document Isla Palenque. His beach photographs were amazing, and adorn much of the resort’s marketing materials. Here he is taking a series of HDR photos of a sunset from the eastern tip of Isla Palenque.
-
14 of 14
Sunset on Playa Palenque
The finished result of Adam’s photographic work in the previous slide, a typical sunset on Playa Palenque. We think it looks like a perfect place to spend some well-deserved vacation time.
TAGS: Beaches Isla Palenque Must Read Panama Slideshows
Post by Benjamin Loomis
Ben is the Founder and President of Amble Resorts. Meet Ben >>
More posts by Benjamin Loomis
Wow – the slide show was beautiful – great collection! nice work!
Thanks for your comments Dorothy. I’m so glad the slideshow gave you a chance to stroll down memory lane! It was a pleasure having you on Isla Palenque and hopefully we’ll get a chance to see you again soon!
Gorgeous! Having visited Isla Palenque I am thrilled that you have captured the essence of the place. It is magical and these scenes are making me homesick to be there again. See you soon. Dorothy