Caribbean - Diary III - On the way to the Panama Canal

Page 27 – Our 4th sailing season is coming to an end…

10.05. – 15.05.2026

After Jonah and Toni started their return journey, we travel with the rest of the crew to Isla Grande, which is about half an hour away by boat.

There's a lot of activity here; after all, it's Sunday and the locals are enjoying a day at the beach with loud music, jet skis, plenty of food and alcohol.

Risking our lives, we swam in a convoy between the local wooden boats, jet skis, and fun rides on banana boats or tubs to the island and spent a relaxing day on the beach. Bernd and I even treated ourselves to a massage by the sea. Things quieted down towards evening, and on Monday morning we were alone again.

Off Isla Grande — Anchoring off Isla Grande – very idyllic on workdays.

We decide to add another relaxing day at the beach and set off on Tuesday towards Shelter Bay Marina – the endpoint of our sailing trip this year. After a stopover, we reach our destination and anchor off the marina, with the industrial port skyline in the background. In the evening, we enjoy the illuminated ribbon of large tankers and cargo ships heading towards the Panama Canal. Modern civilization has us back.

Ships en route to Panama — Like us, large ships are also on their way to the Panama Canal.

In the evening, there's a final communal dinner at the marina restaurant, and on Thursday it's time to say goodbye to our last two guests. Things get exciting again: an hour before departure, a strong wind suddenly picks up, the sea becomes choppy, and the anchor breaks free. So we have to reposition and reset the anchor. The guests prepare for a wet crossing – but then – just as quickly as the wind had arrived, the weather calms down again, and Marc and Hanna can begin their journey home in complete relaxation.

Marc and Hanna disembark. — Farewell to Hanna and Marc – our last guests for this sailing season.

Thursday evening there is an "All you can eat BBQ Ribs Buffet" at Shelter Bay, so dinner is taken care of for us.

We booked our slot for the next day to have our "Joline" hauled out of the water, and the appointment was confirmed. We were to go straight out in the morning, and on Friday morning everything went like clockwork. The experienced team expertly lifted our large catamaran out of the water and placed it on a berth.