Bahia de Pinas or Pinas Bay is the best fishing spot in Panama and it is located on the southern coast of the Pacific in the Darien Province. The bay is just around 50 kilometers from the border of Colombia. You don’t need to be a fisherman to love this place; its natural beauty and charm will captivate any visitor. Around 300 (and counting) world records on deep-sea fishing have taken place here, which is the most for any place on earth.
The bay is quite small and is enclosed on both sides by land, making it seem very narrow. The rocky coastline is bound by wild rainforest mountains. You can explore the rainforests as well as the exotic underwater world.
Why is It the World’s Greatest Fishing Spot?
The warm currents and cold currents, from Costa Rica and South America respectively, converge here, which has led to the development of a rich and thriving marine ecosystem. The mixing of currents causes the waters to be high in nutrition content and this attracts several marine species. Adding to this, the Zane Grey Reef, which is a large underwater mount, lies underneath the waters here. It starts from the bottom of the ocean and rises all the way up near the surface. The reef is decorated by plankton brought in by the currents and this acts as a magnet for small bait fish, which in turn, draws bigger fish that feed on the smaller ones.
Rich Marine Life
You will be amazed at the amount of diversity found in these waters. Billfish, barracuda, snapper, roosterfish, tuna, dolphinfish, swordfish, dorado, wahoo, blue, black and striped marlin live here in plenty. There are bigger inhabitants as well, like bottlenose dolphins, rays, sharks and humpback whales. The government of Panama has banned all commercial fishing ships from entering the bay and they protect it. Only the locals are allowed to go out to the bay for fishing.
Playa Blanca
From the bay, there is a mountain and jungle trail that will take you to Playa Blanca, which is famous for its talcum powder-like soft white sand. Blanca means ‘white’ in Spanish, which does justice to the appearance of the beach. The coral reefs here are magnificent and healthy, and they create a great opportunity for snorkeling. You can spend a good day at the beach simply soaking in the sun and spending quality time refreshing yourself.
Hiking Trails
There are beautiful trails around the place that lead you on memorable and captivating walks through the lush forests. You can spot the typical creatures of the rainforest: birds, animals like monkeys, frogs and reptiles as well. Some trails lead you to the top of the mountains and the view from above is spectacular. If you love hiking, you can also go on a mesmerizing three-hour hike that will lead you to a waterfall. You will find yourself totally cutoff from the rest of the world. You can swim in the natural pool and it will feel like you are surrounded by paradise; just imagine a small clearing amidst lush tropical vegetation.
Puerto Pina
This is a small fishing town that has a population of less than one thousand. It is located close to the borders of Colombia. There is a tourist consortium here called ‘Tropi’, which serves as the only business in town for the locals. Apart from this, they depend on fishing and farming for a livelihood.
Jaque
Jaque is a small sleepy town that lies near the border of Colombia. It lies within the Darien Gap, which is like a gap between the North and South Americas. The area is surrounded by mangroves, rainforests and mountainous terrains. The small village is inhabited by native communities and is the only other town closest to the bay, apart from Puerto Pina. Around two thousand people live there and you can get there through the Jaque runway, which is surrounded by grassy regions, the coast and the Jaque River. Turtles visit the area often, especially during the breeding season.
Getting There
The Bahia Pina Airport is located near Puerto Pina. There is a small landing strip that begins near the shore and runs all the way into the forest. Landing amidst the diverse natural setting is a truly memorable experience. You can also see mountainous terrain towards the north and you will depart and arrive crossing the waters. There are regular flights to and from Panama City.
You cannot reach here any other way as the place is quite cutoff from other inhabited towns and cities. It is possible to come here by water, but it is not usually preferred. As the area is surrounded by dense reserves, there are no roads, either.
Stay and Food
Given the small size of the area, you might feel unsure about finding good accommodations, but there are some really good hotels and stays. You will also find small fishing lodges that provide deep-sea fishing tours for guests.
Tropic Star Lodge
The highly recommended stay in Bahia Pina is the Tropic Star Lodge. The location of the lodge is unique as it seems like it is cut out from the side of a mountain. It is located at the edge of the Darien Jungle, so apart from the beauties of the bay, you can also easily access the dense tropical forests and explore the rich diversity it offers.
Rustic cabins are scattered around the property to give you lots of privacy. There are regular rooms as well with twin beds. Some of the rooms offer splendid views of the bay. There is a small dining room that serves local cuisine and some continental dishes as well. The lodge also has a small swimming pool of its own.
They have a small fleet of their own with 15–20 boats made of the latest machinery. They offer the world’s best swimming trips and fishing lovers have this lodge on the top of their wishlist.
Along with the renowned deep-sea fishing, the lodge also offers kayaking trips, either along the coast or up the Rio Pinas. You can also ask them about arranging trips to the local indigenous villages where the natives will welcome you with traditional dance and music. You can also buy handmade products like baskets, beads, wooden carvings, etc. You can also taste their food.
Nearby Attractions
Punta Patino
Punta Patino is the largest private reserve in Panama and has a range of ecosystems from forests to marine. It is one of the best spots for birdwatching where you can find beautifully colored birds like woodpeckers, parrots, kingfishers, pelicans, and herons. There are also beautiful trails through the forest that will take you among the homes of monkeys, iguanas, caimans, and crocodiles. The ocean here has bottlenose dolphins, whales, and rays in plenty.
Darien National Park
Darien National Park is the largest reserve in Panama and is managed by the government. The amount of natural wealth found here is just unbelievable. It houses a plethora of infinite species of flora and fauna. The rainforests are also home to the Harpy Eagle, Panama’s national bird. The reserve also acts as a connecting bridge between the two Americas. In addition to the wildlife, you can also find several indigenous villages that still continue to live here in traditional ways.
What’s Nearby?
