ON AND AROUND GALLO ISLAND: 

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The Las Perlas Archipelago, or the Pearl Islands is an isolated cluster is becoming one of Panama's foremost attractions. Visitors revel in the turquoise waters filled with abundant tropical fish, the charisma and quiet elegance of island life, and the attractions of outdoor adventure. Indeed, being so accessible yet completely isolated, the Pearl Islands chosen three times as the site of television series 'Survivor'.   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO ONE OF THEIR WEB PAGES. 

  The Pearl Islands!

Composed of more than 200 islands and islets, the majority of them in pristine condition, the Las Perlas Archipelago has been nominated one of Panama's special tourism zones. 

The archipelago sit in shallow Pacific waters, where the continental shelf extends for miles, protected from strong storms and currents by the Panama Bay. Its brilliant waters are reminiscent of the tropical Caribbean, turquoise and crystal-clear, teeming with coral beds and a rich diversity of marine life. Snorkeling, diving and other waters sports are popular among the islands, and the area is home to many game fish, including blue and black marlin, wahoo, sailfish and more. Dolphins, whales, and nesting turtles also frequent the warm Pacific waters throughout the archipelago, while chattering parrots and toucans flit overhead.

As you have probably guessed, the history of these islands is dominated by “Pearls". The Pearl Islands were named for the wealth of oysters found by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the famous Spanish explorer, at the start of the 16th century. The pearls there collected were much prized by European royalty and aristocracy, and formed part of the early wealth brought to Spain from the early explorers.

In pre-Columbian times the Pearl Islands were ruled by an Indian King who ran an operation diving for Pearls in the area. These Pearls were then used for trade with foreigners. Some of the best and most famous Pearls in the world were found in these Islands. First settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, thousands of pearls were found here including the 31 carat, 500 year , in the early 1500's, to be more exact... in 1514 "Old Pelegrina Pearl" owned by Elizabeth Taylor today, worn by the Queen Mary Tudor I of Spain, daughter of King Henry VIII, a French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte III, King Louis XIV's court in France, Lord James Hamilton who gave the pearl set on a necklace to his wife, who used it for formal occasions in the Buckingham Palace Lady Louisa Jane Russel (Lady Hamilton), King Phillip IV of Spain  and an English Queen. FOR MORE OF THIS MAGNIFICIENT STORY, YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO BE REDIRECTED TO A PAGE CONTAINING THE FULL STORY ON "LA PELEGRINA PEARL"!

Queen Mary Tudor I of Spain, Elizabeth Taylor's Ruby Diamond and Pearl Necklace, with the La Peregrina hanging as a pendant

GALLO ISLAND is 15 minutes (by boat) away from “Contadora Island", which is a very tourist Island provided by Airport, Hotels, Restaurants, private mansions and Supermarkets. CONTADORA, the name means Island of the "teller or counter" as all of the Pearls retrieved in the area had to go through here. This island is the most well-known of the Pearl Islands, and a popular resort and vacation getaway for residents and tourists to Central America.

 Contadora Island

For decades its elegant retreats have attracted jet-setters from around the world. A regional airport brings in travelers from the Panama City airport, just a 15 minute flight away. Few cars travel the winding roads of the small island, most opting for golf carts and bicycles in the year-round pleasant climate. Magnificent homes and boutique hotels overlook the many small bays along ringing the island, lined with brilliant white sands. A handful of restaurants, both lavish and traditional, offer fresh ocean fare and open-air dining.

When it comes to it's Fauna, there are also many of resident birds like Herons, Boobies, Aigrets, Oyster-Catchers, Colibri, etc. There are NO poisonous insects, reptiles (like snakes) or animals that can be dangerous live in the island.

For the shell collectors and underwater photographers, they can find in the rich waters surrounding this island an enormous interest for the great variety of Marine Life. Many colorful tropical fishes, endemic of the Pacific Ocean like the nice "Pomacanthus Imperator", live in the coral areas. Over 110 specimens of seashells have been collected and studied, starting from the Pearl-Oyster to the large edible Conchs.

 Underwater photograph taken at a coral!

With the majority of the islands covered in rainforest and edged by pristine white or golden sanded beaches and clear Pacific Oceans to swim in, there are few places in the world that can match this for relaxation. The Islands are not over developed and provide a natural, remote and secluded holiday spot or a unique and luxury permanent life style.

With a huge wildlife population on most of these islands, you can expect to see wild pigs, iguanas, agoutis, parrots, toucans and giant pigeons. For bird watchers, there are over 100 different species to be seen on these islands.

  Toucan                                                                                                                                                    Iguna

For the more active people the surrounding islands are great for hiking, or even a mid afternoon walk through the stunning rainforests. The fertile soil on these islands allows for the trees and coconut palms to reach heights of 80 feet. With some stunning waterfalls and natural caves to be explored, who knows what you might find! Some hidden pirate treasure perhaps!

The warm waters of the Pacific Ocean are very rich in Plankton, abundant in all kind of edible variety of fish like Merous, Snappers, Tuna, Mackerels, Shrimps, and Lobsters, etc. Either from a boat with a line or free diving with a spear, fish is always in your daily menu. Huge Ray-Mantas and Turtles are also moderately common. The Pearl Islands are considered to be some of the best deep sea fishing waters in the world, the surrounding Pacific Ocean area if full of some outstanding tropical game fish.

  Nice Turtle! 

It is almost unheard of to see a fisherman come back from a trip empty handed, with world records of 16 black marlins being set in the area. Fish that can be caught in the area include Marlin, large Pacific sailfish, tuna, dolphin, Wahoo, amberjack, cob era and red snapper, corvine and mackerel, as well as marine turtles, lobster, shrimp, giant oysters, clams and mussels. This also makes for some stunning diving and snorkeling, not to mention the great view, where you can experience 'watching the huge whales' during season!

  A Photo taken of a WHALE during their "traveling season"!

Isla Del Rey (or King´s Island) is the largest island on the archipelago at 330 square kilometers, and is the main focus for tourist development in the Pearl Islands. It is populated by a village or town named "San Miguel". It has a large landing strip to receive flights, and other major tourism infrastructure such as marinas and larger hotels are planned for.(PLEASE REFER TO our "PROJECTS ON THE AREA LINKS" for further information).

 San Miguel Village/town!

Isla del Rey features a lush, hilly terrain wound with rivers and waterfalls, and most importantly, several freshwater sources. Its coastal waters are the most plentiful of the islands for finding gamefish, and more than 200 IFA (International Game and Fishing Association) records have been hauled onto Pearl Island shores.

The second largest island, Isla San José, is also one of the most remote, some 90 kilometers from the mainland. It sits near an area called "the Explosives", where the continental shelf drops abruptly, making for some of the world's best deep-sea fishing.

     San Jose Island

Viveros Island, just a stone's throw from GALLO ISLAND and Isla del Rey, is the site of a ongoing development project that will transform the virgin island into a high-end luxury retreat. Its natural V shape gives the island a deep, sheltered bay, with long expanses of beachfront along 20 miles of coastline, and gentle inland slopes.. Its rich volcanic soil, luxurious vegetation and ample freshwater resources have made it the location of choice for the ambitious project. Set to be completed in 2012, Isla Viveros will boast three hotels, two marinas, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, and some 550 residences. an airstrip is already in place. In order to preserve the island's natural beauty, only 15% of the territory will be developed, with the remaining 85% reserved for green zones.  PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THEIR WEB PAGE!