Marine Safari 2026 Highlights Remarkable Whale Conservation Success Story at Islas Secas

Marine Safari is here and Islas Secas is celebrating the remarkable whale conservation success story - thanks to Islas Secas and Islas Secas Foundation partner, Panacetacea.

Marine Safari 2026 Highlights Remarkable Whale Conservation Success Story at Islas Secas

Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama – May 2026 – From June through October, the waters surrounding Islas Secas come alive with an awe-inspiring spectacle: the return of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. Known as the archipelago’s “Return” season, this period celebrates the magnificent animals who travel over 5,000 miles from Antarctic feeding grounds to the warm, sheltered bays of Panama to give birth and nurture their young. The Gulf of Chiriquí is one of the most important nursery habitats in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, with 150+ mother-calf pairs commonly observed each season in our calm, protected waters. Over the past two decades, humpback whale sightings in the region have quadrupled, reflecting a remarkable recovery from the impacts of commercial whaling.

With support from the Islas Secas Foundation, marine-mammal researchers at Panacetacea lead pioneering whale research in the Gulf. Over 20 years and through over 500 field surveys, photo-identification, and acoustic monitoring, researchers have documented more than 3,000 humpback whales, identified 1,100+ individuals, and established the Gulf as a critical breeding ground.

Connecting Guests to the Ocean Through Whale Song

A defining feature of Marine Safari 2026 is the opportunity for guests to experience whales through sound. Panacetacea operates the first long-term marine soundscape monitoring network in Central America, using 10 underwater hydrophones deployed across the Gulf and providing guests with the opportunity to hear live humpback whale songs lasting up to 30 minutes, with 50+ distinct song patterns documented each season. These hydrophone experiences offer unique, spiritual connection to these magnificent whales, while revealing how scientists monitor population health, mating behavior, and social dynamics.

A Rare Discovery: Bryde’s Whales in the Gulf of Chiriquí

Panacetacea researchers recently confirmed the presence of a resident population of Bryde’s whales near Islas Contreras (how do readers know where this is?)—and sightings of False Orcas, an important breakthrough in tropical whale research. Though elusive and rarely observed at the surface, guests gain an insider’s perspective on their discovery and its significance. Guest experiences include:

• Educational briefings on Bryde’s whale feeding ecology, habitat use, and body condition 

• Demonstrations of research methods, including drone observations and acoustic monitoring 

• Insights into future research plans, including habitat mapping and population monitoring 

  
  

Marine Safari 2026: A Living Laboratory for Guests

Marine Safari 2026 transforms luxury travel into participation and discovery. Guests can:

• Join expert-led whale-watching expeditions (June–October)

• Listen to live whale songs through hydrophones 

• Participate in citizen science, contributing fluke identifications to global whale databases 

• Attend conservation talks by Panacetacea researchers when at Secas, detailing 20+ years of monitoring 

• Observe research techniques including drones, photogrammetry, and acoustic data collection 

Through these experiences, guests connect with one of the ocean’s most inspiring conservation stories while gaining direct insight into active marine science.

Science Driving Conservation

Islas Secas Foundation’s support enables Panacetacea to advance broader marine conservation in Panama, including:

• Designation of two Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in Panama 

• Contributions to the International Whaling Commission’s Central America Conservation Management Plan 

• A postdoctoral fellowship for Latin American scientists studying dolphin genetics 

A Global Biodiversity Hotspot

The Gulf of Chiriquí, part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, supports over 250 marine species. Alongside whales, guests may encounter whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles—all from the comfort of a luxury base where science, conservation, and immersive travel meet.

About Islas Secas Foundation

The Islas Secas Foundation advances marine and avian conservation, habitat protection, and environmental education throughout the Gulf of Chiriquí. Partnering with organizations like Panacetacea, Secas Foundation supports critical research while safeguarding the region’s extraordinary biodiversity.

For details info@dominiquedebay.com or by phone 1-212-752-1416 or WhatsApp 1-917-940-2407 #islassecas #panama #dominiquedebaycollection @islassecas