- The Explorer's Atlas
SAILING
ITINERARIES
Select your pace. Find your rhythm. Curated voyages across the 365 islands.
Explore the most developed and vibrant area of the archipelago. Perfect for travelers seeking fun, sun, and social vibes. Enjoy pristine small beaches, beach bars, and picture-perfect spots for unforgettable photos
- Key Destinations
ZONE 1: Lemon Cays
- Perro Chico
- Perro Grande
- Isla Pelicano
- Isla Diablo
- Highlight: Shipwreck Snorkeling
Extend your San Blas escape over 2 days to explore Lemon Cays, Chichime, and Salardup. Swim among the colorful coral reefs, discover the sunken ferry at Chichime, and enjoy the intimacy of Salardup’s beaches
- Key Destinations
ZONE 1: Lemon Cays (Extended)
- Chichime Island
- Isla Pelicano
- Cayos Limones
- Salardup Island
- Highlight: Sunken Ferry
The adventure begins! Sail along the pirate route and step foot on the Dutch Cays, home to over 20 unspoiled islands. Explore massive private beaches, lush jungle trails, and some of the best coral reefs in San Blas
- Key Destinations
Zone 2: Dutch Cays
- Paradise Lost
- Pirate's Route
- Outer Holandeses
- Inner Reefs
- Highlight: Jungle Island Trails
Discover the Dutch Cayes from east to west, navigating through secret passages. Stop at the top spot, Ibin’s Beach Restaurant, and end your journey at Cambombia, the island of mirrored waters.
- Key Destinations
ZONE 2: DUTCH CAYS (EXTENDED)
- Secret Passages
- Ibins Beach
- Cambombia
- Turtle Reef
- Highlight: Mirrored Waters
Spend 5 nights in San Blas anchoring at Mediterranea and Coco Blanco, our captain’s favorite island. Enjoy exclusive beaches & sunset fires by the boat, and the ultimate privacy with uncrowded paradise islands
- Key Destinations
ZONE 3: COCO BANDERO CAYS
- Coco Blanco
- Exclusive Inlets
- Our Secret Spot
- Cambombia
- Highlight: Beach Bonfire
Top off your San Blas journey with the ultimate 6-night itinerary. Explore everything from Lemon Cays to Dutch Cayes, end at Coco Bandero to swim with friendly nurse sharks, and finish on Cambombia or Isla Verde.
- Key Destinations
ZONE 3: COCO BANDERO (EXTENDED)
- Shark’s Sanctuary
- Coco Bandero
- Isla Verde
- The Full Comarca
- Highlight: Swim with Sharks!
Sailing Packages
Once you find your ideal San Blas sailing package, browse available vessels and send a booking request so our team can check availability for that specific boat, or complete the inquiry form and Nomad Sailors Team will reach out with available options.
How it works
Explore our curated sailing packages designed to showcase the best of the Guna Yala archipelago.
- The routes below are suggested itineraries.
- Your actual journey is personalized to your pace, the weather, and your mood of the day.
We recommend a 5-night stay to fully experience the San Blas archipelago, but 1-night sailing trips are also available for travelers with limited time in Panama. Choose the number of nights that fits your itinerary.
Customized Sailing Itinerary
Design your own San Blas sailing adventure with a fully customized itinerary. Choose your preferred number of nights, sailing zones, and islands to visit. Our Team will tailor the route to your group size, travel dates, and sailing style, creating a personalized experience anywhere in the San Blas archipelago.
PRICING
Our package pricing is based on three factors: the vessel you choose (priced per day), your group size, and whether you book a private or shared sailing experience.
The per-person rate is calculated based on the selected vessel and the number of guests on board.
Key Factors:
- Vessel selection: each boat has a daily rate
- Group size: Extra cost calculated by the number of guests
- Private or shared charter: Entire vessel or shared cabin experience
Private Charters
Complete freedom, ultimate privacy, and 5-star service. The boat is 100% yours.
Perfect For: Families, groups of friends, honeymooners, and VIP travelers.
Custom Itinerary: You dictate the pace. Stay longer at that secluded reef or sail to a new island.
Personalized Menu: The onboard chef creates a menu tailored entirely to your group’s tastes and dietary needs.
Total Privacy: The entire vessel, including the decks, trampolines, water-toys, and cabins, belongs to your group.
Shared Adventures
A diverse group of smiling travelers sharing a meal at the catamaran’s outdoor table. Meet like-minded travelers from around the globe.
Perfect For: Solo travelers, couples, and budget-conscious adventurers.
Cost-Effective: Experience the luxury of a large catamaran for a fraction of the cost by only paying for your cabin.
Instant Community: Share stories, beach bonfires, and meals with new friends.
Curated Route: Enjoy our best-selling “Island Hopper” itinerary optimized to show you the best of San Blas.
The Archipelago
San Blas is vast, comprising 365 islands scattered across 100 square miles of turquoise Caribbean waters. To help you visualize our San Blas sailing packages, we have mapped out our primary sailing zones:
- Click the active pins for details, or switch between packages in the menu to unlock the grey pins.
- These itineraries are suggested based on trip length, but we are happy to personalize your route!
- Need quick help? Just ask Duke.
San Blas Sailing Zones Explained
The San Blas Islands are divided into distinct sailing zones, each offering a unique mix of scenery, culture, and sailing conditions. From calm inner cays to remote outer islands, these zones determine how far you travel, what you experience, and which itinerary best suits your adventure.
Understanding the differences between each sailing zone helps you choose the perfect catamaran charter based on time, comfort level, and desired activities.
Zone 1: The Inner Cays (Cayos Limones)
Located closest to the mainland, Zone 1 offers calm waters and short sailing distances. Popular stops include Isla Perro, known for its iconic sunken gunboat shipwreck, Isla Chichime, with peaceful anchorages ideal for paddleboarding, and the Natural Swimming Pool, a shallow submerged sandbar perfect for relaxing swims.
These islands pair perfectly with The Quick Escape (2 Days, 1 Night) and The Island Hopper (3 Days, 2 Nights) itineraries.
Because the islands sit close together, sailing time remains short and smooth, typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes between stops.
Zone 2: The Dutch Cays (Cayos Holandeses)
Further east, Zone 2 introduces more open space and vibrant marine life. Highlights include Tortuga Island, an important nesting ground for sea turtles, and BBQ Island, a completely uninhabited stretch of white sand ideal for sunset bonfires and evening gatherings.
This zone works best with The Reef Explorer (4 Days, 3 Nights) and The Deep Blue (5 Days, 4 Nights) itineraries.
To reach the Dutch Cays, guests enjoy a thrilling two-hour open-water sail from the inner cays.
Zone 3: Coco Bandero Cays
Tucked behind a massive horseshoe-shaped reef, Zone 3 feels remote and untouched. A tight cluster of four idyllic islands creates the ultimate playground for snorkeling, spearfishing (captain only), and stargazing under clear night skies.
These cays are included in The Deep Blue (5 Days, 4 Nights) and The Odyssey (6 Days, 5 Nights) itineraries.
However, access depends on calm weather and requires expert navigation through coral heads.
Zone 4: The Southern Cays (Cayos Caobos / Green Island)
At the far reaches of the archipelago, Zone 4 delivers true off-the-grid exploration. Green Island stands out with its lush jungle interior, while nearby traditional mainland Guna villages offer a rare glimpse into a way of life untouched by modern tourism.
This remote region is exclusively paired with The Ultimate Nomad (7 Days, 6 Nights) itinerary.
As a result, sailing here feels secluded and peaceful, far removed from other tour boats.