Scuba & Snorkelling • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
Kayaking & Canoeing in San Blas Islands
THE 10 BEST San Blas Islands Kayaking & Canoeing
Kayaking & Canoeing in San Blas Islands
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Multi-day Tours • Scuba & Snorkelling
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Multi-day Tours • Scuba & Snorkelling
Scuba & Snorkelling • Taxis & Shuttles
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What travelers are saying
- Marta C1 contributionAn amazing experience, incredibly friendly people, great food and paradisiac place. 100% recommended!!Written October 30, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rebecca BWashington DC, DC9 contributionsAmazing experience. We were admittedly a little reluctant to take a trip on a boat called “f-in bueno” with 3 kids—ages 14, 9, and 3—but we just decided to call it “forkin bueno” and it was a blast. Every minute of the trip was incredible. We boarded the boat to a beautiful spread of fruit, nuts, veggies and hummus and even chocolate chip pancakes for the kids. The boat was super luxurious and huge — the pics don’t do it justice. Captain Elena took us everywhere we wanted to go including private islands, a Kuna village, and great snorkel spots. She even arranged a bonfire for us on the beach. We filled our days with amazing food, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and even buying crafts from the local Kuna people both on the islands and the ones who came up to our boat. At night we had amazing meals from the fresh fish and crabs and lobster that Captain Elena bought for us. Then we went up to the top of the boat and gazed at the star filled sky. We all had the experience of a lifetime and I cannot recommend this enough. Also, Captain Elena’s communication was amazing. She answered all of my many questions in the two weeks before our trip and her knowledge of the local people is terrific. She took us on a personal tour of a Kuna Village and introduced us to some locals which was really enriching for the kids. Captain Elena and “Forkin Bueno” gave us an incredible trip in the beautiful San Blas islands. We loved the crew too, especially Tiana!Written February 25, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- andy.karlaOttawa, Canada1,560 contributionsWhat started out with and could have been an amazing five-star experience ended with an opportunistic owner who knowingly and admittedly double booked our final day and then refused to return the $900 we paid for the said day on the pretense that our flight times changed (By One hour) which thereby entitled them to keeping our monies!
We had paid $1,200.00 per over night and an additional $900.00 for a final day on the water that would equate a full day of sailing, snorkeling and enjoying the islands as per the previous three days with the added-on day ending at 5:00 PM and our delivery to the air port landing strip!
What we got for $900.00 was a short early morning snorkel and then the boat was moved and anchored at the end of the airport runway, where we would sit at the table outside the galley observing the crew clean our suite and the rest of the boat, unable to participate in any activities or take a final pre flight shower.
The boat crew informed us on our second last day that they had been informed that the owners had taken a last-minute booking and also that our landing strip had changed to a different island.
Yet ownership has responded that there was no last-minute booking, however they have admitted to our agent that they mistakenly double booked our last day.
How could they be so mistaken in their responses?
Adding further insult and injury to our experience, the owners have seen fit to insinuate that my husband is suffering from a “terminal illness” and due to his “delicate emotional state” has fabricated the facts!
I can attest that neither my husband or myself suffer from a terminal or emotional illness that could attribute to either of our distortion of the facts – However this response along with others is very troubling and offensive to us on a personal level!
Is this some sort of diabolical character assassination by the boats owners in a weak attempt to white wash the facts or a gross misunderstanding on their part?
In early afternoon on our final day we checked the radar and along with the boats Captain verified that the aircraft had not left Panama City before changing into our swim suits and entering the water, knowing we had a least an hour cool off in the water, change and still check the radar for the appropriate time to leave the boat for the short trip to the landing strip.
While swimming off the end of the boat we had the captain now on the phone calling us back to the boat and telling us the owner had ordered us off the boat to the landing strip where we would wait standing on the grass for the aircrafts late arrival. (There is no waiting area)
We would also observe the last minute booked guests arrive while we were still on board to start their adventure on our paid day. They had puzzled looks on their faces not expecting to see other guests on board.
This would of course be the logical reason the owners and not the Captain were ordering us out of the water off the boat to the landing strip!
While waiting on the landing strip we could observe on the radar that our aircraft had just taken off from Panama City – We would also take photos of the aircraft landing with the Captain waiting with us as the next guests incoming supplies were on board the incoming aircraft which we booked and paid for our own use only!
It is therefore quite puzzling for the owners to again indicate that the plane was waiting on the runway when we went for swim and that we had somehow refused to leave the boat.
Another misunderstanding by ownership or more white washing?
This is not Ok with us and after a thorough investigation by our booking agent it was also not ok with them and they informed us that they are in the process of removing this owner and their boats from their web site and will no longer sell tours with them.
After considerable stress and further the discussion through our agent the boat owners grudgingly agreed to refund a token $250 and the agent would top that up with an amount that after bank transfer fees was considerably less than half the $900 we paid for a full day on the boat.
The Catamaran boat is quite nice and in like new condition, however the generator was non-functioning which meant no A/C and a couple of sleepless nights spent in the over 30-degree temperature in our cabin. While break downs and delayed repairs are an unfortunate occurrence on boats we can be understanding on this issue!
Our agent sold us the air conditioning package and while onboard we observed Captain Thomas spend some 3 plus hours attempting to start the generator that powered the A/C while indicating that the generator had just been repaired but apparently now had fuel problems!
Again, ownership has responded that we did not pay for A/C and that the A/C had been disabled. Yet it was not the A/C that did not work but the generator and they failed to inform their own employee of all these facts, allowing him to spend the best part of an afternoon attempting to start the generator that powered the A/C
The list of misunderstandings or potential white washings are adding up in a very substantial and troubling way!
The crew consisting of Captain Thomas and Candela were the absolute best and they could not do enough to make us feel comfortable and involved in daily activities and meal choices.
We cannot say enough about this pair of gems and it was our absolute pleasure to sail with them and spend time interacting daily as we watched their dedication to guest satisfaction at a level that would equate the Ritz Carleton butler service!
Candela is an awesome cook – The seafood (Lobster, Crab etc.) were cooked to absolute perfection and the presentation was Michelin five star.
Thomas is a great captain and practices safety first, meaning we felt at ease and relaxed while onboard under his very capable hands. Thomas’s experience and choice of snorkeling spots was always bang on and suited our experience level.
The snorkeling sights were mostly top notch, the reefs healthy and picturesque.
The sheer beauty of the San Blas islands along with interacting with the Kuna peoples is an experience not to be missed!
The crew did their best on our final day and we fully understand that they were following instructions from the owner to close down the owners cabin and boat for cleaning.
Regrettably our San Blas experience could have ended as it began.
Unfortunately, in our opinion the ending can only be described as an abuse of power and complete lack of integrity by greedy owners forever tarnishing a once in a lifetime experience!Written April 24, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Bessi H1 contributionVery grateful! Wonderful experience! The staff were very informative and friendly. My husband and I will definitely come back againWritten April 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
