Guest post by Hanna, who sailed with us to the San Blas Islands/Guna Yala

April/May 2026

Three weeks of sailing adventure in Panama – on the road with Petra and Bernd

At the end of April, we went to Panama for three weeks – an adventure we had been looking forward to for a long time. Our home away from home: Petra and Bernd's catamaran.

Even the journey there was special. Toni, Jonah, and I set off together – and we actually only met for the first time at the airport. Looking out for each other amidst all the other people was a fun way to start the trip and immediately created a great atmosphere.

After the flight, we spent two nights in Panama City. We explored the city and gathered our first impressions – before the real adventure began.

After that, we continued on to the marina. Petra and Bernd picked us up there in the dinghy and took us to our home on the water. That same evening, we did a big shop: supplies for the next two weeks at sea. We particularly remember a local man who helped us push the fully loaded shopping cart to the dinghy. As a small token of appreciation, he asked for some money – and, as everywhere on this trip, we found the people to be incredibly warm and welcoming.

Then the crossing to the San Blas Islands began.

For me, it initially meant a brief introduction to seasickness – but we took it all in stride. And by the time we arrived, that was all forgotten.

The San Blas Islands are almost indescribable. Turquoise waters, small palm-fringed islands, white beaches, and a tranquility rarely found in everyday life. It sometimes felt almost unreal.

What was particularly impressive was how different the islands were. One island was so small that you could walk completely around it in about two minutes. Despite its size, it felt like arriving in a separate little world – in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by nothing but water, palm trees, and incredible tranquility.

We were particularly impressed by the Gunas – the locals of the islands. We communicated with a little Spanish, lots of laughter, and a lot of gesturing. Despite this, we never felt like we didn't understand each other. We also bought a mola there – one of those traditional, colorful fabric creations for which the Gunas are known. It's a very special souvenir for us.

Our days on the catamaran quickly settled into their own rhythm. Waking up in the morning with a view of the water, having breakfast together, exploring small islands with the dinghy, and simply enjoying the moment.

The underwater world was an absolute highlight. We went snorkeling from a small island – and I can honestly say: I've never seen anything so beautiful. Crystal-clear water, countless fish, an incredible array of colors – and we even saw sharks. It was fascinating and so peaceful at the same time.

The trip was also a culinary delight. Every evening we cooked fresh meals together. The Gunas would frequently arrive in their boats, bringing fresh fish or shellfish. I tried so many things in Panama – shellfish, fish, meat, and especially the fruit. Everything tasted incredibly intense and fresh.

In between, we simply jumped off the catamaran into the water, swam, laughed, and enjoyed this time together. With Toni, Jonah, Bernd, Petra, and Marc on board, the days flew by.

And of course, not everything always went according to plan – that's precisely what made it so special. For the first three days, we barely had any sun, so we had to be careful with our electricity. We collected rainwater and even showered in the rain. What might sound like deprivation in everyday life simply felt like freedom there.

One evening in particular stands out in our memory: We were eating at a small restaurant run by locals and enjoying the evening on the beach. Suddenly, it became very windy – and all at once, it turned out that the anchor of our catamaran had come loose.

Bernd and Jonah had to jump up immediately, get into the dinghy, and head back to the catamaran as quickly as possible. For a moment, things got really tense, because the catamaran was only about ten meters from the reef. Luckily, the two reacted in time and got everything under control – but in that moment, we realized how quickly situations on the water can change.

While the rest of us waited on the beach and continued eating, Bernd and Jonah were busy securing the boat. When they returned, there wasn't much left of dinner at the restaurant – so we simply had egg noodles later on the catamaran. Looking back, that was one of those moments we laugh about the most today.

Of course, the most beautiful sunsets were also a must. Every evening we sat together, played games, talked, and enjoyed our time together. These evenings together are among my fondest memories.

And finally, there was one last surprise that perfectly suited this trip: I received a certificate – for the “little water snake”.

That was an inside joke that developed over the weeks. At first, I only dared to go into the water with a pool noodle. Over time, I became more and more courageous, swimming without it more and more often, and even venturing out to the local beaches. Petra and Bernd turned it into a little award and presented me with this certificate – an incredibly funny and wonderful moment that we still laugh about today.

These three weeks were entertaining, intense, and full of small and big moments. A journey filled with nature, community, adventure, and gratitude.

And when we think back on it today, it still feels a little unreal – as if we had been in another world for a short time.

Hanna