Whale Weeks at Islas Secas
Come for the whales. Stay for the wonder. Leave part of the story.
E very August, the waters surrounding Islas Secas come alive with one of the Pacific’s greatest migrations. Now is the time when the humpback whales arrive, having traveled more than 5,000 miles from Antarctica, seeking the warm, protected waters of Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí to breed, nurse, and rest.
For guests, this means far more than whale watching. It offers a rare window into one of the ocean’s great seasonal events, and a chance to experience Islas Secas at its most alive.
Whale Weeks are the centerpiece of our Marine Safari experience: a month-long celebration of encounters, exploration, and marine science, built around the rhythm of the migration.
What Whale Weeks Mean
Whale Weeks are our most immersive way to experience the marine world of Islas Secas. Throughout August, guests can expect:
- Daily whale encounters – from breaching adults to mothers and calves resting in sheltered bays
- Private guided expeditions – intimate boat outings led by expert captains and naturalists
- Whale sightings from the island – from your Casita, the Terraza, or along hiking trails
- Marine life beyond whales – dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, reef fish and seasonal birdlife
- Exclusive access to researchers through talks, field sessions and informal gatherings
This is peak whale season, when the migration is at its most active, and sightings are often part of everyday island life.
What You Can Do
Go Out on the Water
Set out with our expert guides to search for humpbacks across the archipelago. Some days bring breaches, tail slaps, or mothers surfacing beside calves; others unfold more quietly, with slow rolls and peaceful sightings in glassy water. No two outings are the same.
Snorkel and Dive Between Sightings: Whale Weeks offer the peak of our Marine Safaris. Between encounters, explore coral reefs, drift through volcanic outcrops, or dive into some of the richest marine habitats in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
Meet the Scientists
Throughout August, our research partner, Panacetacea, is in residence on select weeks, conducting active humpback research funded by the Islas Secas Foundation. Guests can join:
- Whale Songs & Science: Learn how humpback songs are recorded and analyzed, then head out on the water to connect the science to the experience.
- Margaritas & Marine Mammals: An informal sunset gathering with researchers sharing stories, discoveries and field insights.
- Behind the Research: A closer look at hydrophones, acoustic tracking, drones and whale photo-identification.
Contribute to the Research
Your sightings can become part of a global conservation effort. Guests are invited to upload whale fluke photographs to Happywhale, helping researchers identify individuals and track their migrations across oceans.
Why August Matters
The Gulf of Chiriquí is one of the most important humpback nursery habitats in the Eastern Tropical Pacific – and one of the only places in the world where two separate migratory populations overlap across the year. In August, the southern migration is at its peak:
- Sightings are at their most frequent
- Calves are at their youngest
- Mother-calf pairs gather in the calmest bays
- This is when our Whale Weeks come fully alive.
