Questions & packing list

Five nights and six days. About three days in the San Blas Islands and a 35 to 40-hour crossing between San Blas and Cartagena.

In Panama at Puerto Lindo (Linton Bay), about 2.5 hours from Panama City. In Colombia at Club Náutico marina in Cartagena, a short taxi from Getsemaní and the old town.

From $725 per person. That includes five nights on board, all meals, tea, coffee and water, standard immigration and port fees, and a lobster or seafood meal. Not included: the $20 Guna Yala tourist tax, alcohol, transport to or from Puerto Lindo, visas and travel insurance.

No. Since covid we no longer ship motorbikes or other vehicles. Our boats take passengers only, so you’ll need to arrange separate cargo shipping for your bike.

Wild Card (60 ft, 20 guests) and Sovereign Grace (74 ft, 21 guests) both do the same route and the same islands. Sovereign Grace is bigger with a huge foredeck and tends to be the more social pick. Most people simply choose the date that fits.

It’s a social trip with a party vibe: music, beach games, a bonfire and pirate party when possible. But it’s also hammocks, snorkeling and sunsets. You’re free to join in as much or as little as you like.

Absolutely. Most guests are backpackers, many travelling alone. You’ll share cabins and meals, and by the second day the boat feels like a family.

In shared cabins with fans. It’s cosy: the boats are adventure vessels, not luxury yachts. If you’d like more privacy, ask us about the options on your date.

Home-cooked, generous and fresh, including a lobster or seafood feast. Vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free diets can be catered for if you tell us when booking. We can’t make separate meals for ingredients you just don’t like.

Yes, bring your own. The captain may restrict drinking when it isn’t safe. Illegal drugs, including marijuana, are strictly forbidden: police search all passengers and luggage before boarding, and anyone caught is refused passage without refund.

Fresh water is limited on an offshore trip, so expect one rinse-down shower depending on the tank, and a lot of swimming.

The open-sea leg takes 35 to 40 hours and can be bumpy. Our heavy steel boats are far more stable than small sailboats, but bring sea-sickness tablets and take them before you feel bad.

Both boats have a friendly dog on the crew. Let us know if you have an allergy. Sometimes we can take passengers travelling with their own dog: ask first.

Pack light, in a soft bag. Our checklist:

• Passport (valid for your whole trip)
• US dollars in cash for the balance, the $20 tourist tax and drinks
• Sea-sickness tablets
• Swimwear, a quick-dry towel and sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• A light jumper for night sailing
• A dry bag for your phone
• Your own drinks and snacks

Take the group shuttle from your hostel or hotel in Panama City ($25, early on departure morning) or the public bus ($12, only if you leave at least the day before). There are no ATMs in Puerto Lindo, so get cash in the city.

An agent handles the immigration paperwork and your passport is stamped as part of the trip. Make sure your passport and any visa are valid for both countries: entry requirements are your own responsibility.

Delays are rare but can happen because of weather, mechanical issues, port authorities or local protests. Leave a 48-hour gap before onward travel and have travel insurance. If we have to cancel, you are offered another departure date.

Tell us as early as possible. A deposit is refunded only if we can fill your space with another passenger paying the same rate. See the full terms and conditions.