One’s appreciation of Islas Secas, a beacon of biodiversity off Panama’s south coast, begins before one’s feet have even touched down on its terrain. Swooping around the archipelago in the property’s private Twin Otter plane, guests are treated to an enticing preview of what is to come. 

As the aircraft begins its descent, following a short hop from Panama City, Islas Secas appears – a series of 14 islands scattered around the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí.

It is rather fitting, given the extraordinary array of avian life that calls this peaceful corner of the Pacific home, that the first glimpse of Islas Secas comes courtesy of a bird’s-eye view. 

Directly translating to ‘Dry Islands’ – so named after early Spanish explorers failed to find water on the archipelago – Islas Secas now firmly defies its moniker. Today, it is a land awash with flora and fauna. It is also home to one of the most exclusive resorts in Central America. 

At Islas Secas, the twin pillars of sustainability and luxury are brought together in a perfect, paradisical package. This is achieved so successfully, in fact, that the Panamanian pioneer has developed a global reputation for its approach. 

Owned by American philanthropist Louis Bacon, the property plays a vital role in the conservation of the surrounding Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park. Guest engagement goes beyond booking activities and dinners – there is an opportunity for genuine environmental education for those who seek it, though it never feels forced. It is seamless, and it is authentic.

Privacy is still very much the name of the game at Islas Secas. A series of one- and two-bedroom ‘casitas’ – little homes – are hidden around the main, inhabited island, each enveloped by lush rainforest at its entrance, before opening up to spectacular sea views. These grown-up treehouses have high ceilings, louvred wooden shutters, expansive decks, and private plunge pools. 

Islas Secas’ crown jewel, however, is the sprawling, 8,300-square-foot Casa Cavada, complete with a semi-Olympic infinity pool and gym, as well as a dedicated chef and house manager. The four-bedroom villa is an architectural marvel, boasting a barely believable view of the bay and, with it, a remarkable front-row seat to the annual humpback whale migration. If total exclusivity is required, Islas Secas can be booked out in its entirety for up to 32 guests. 

While the casitas are undeniably resplendent, the real beauty of Islas Secas lies beyond the residences’ boundaries. Among those who work on the islands, the most pervasive character trait is an infectious love of nature. It’s no surprise – they live alongside 1,000 different species of animals and plants. 

Whether you’re taking a bird-watching cruise on the property’s 50-foot Maverick yacht, a SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) voyage to a nearby sandy beach, or a detailed guided island hike, after a few hours, you will be powerless to resist animated conversations about lizards, fish, and birds. 

Every experience at Islas Secas is punctuated by a positive interaction within the natural environment. Within seconds of reaching the ocean floor on a morning scuba dive, we see eagle rays, sharks, and turtles. At times, it feels a little bit like we have landed on set for David Attenborough’s latest
TV masterpiece. 

On another day, a morning is spent getting to grips with hydrofoiling and the Seabob – an underwater scooter that James Bond may have used to escape a much less salubrious isle than this. In the afternoon, we are whisked away by boat to another corner of the archipelago for a private beach BBQ, replete with bottomless ceviche, snorkelling gear, and floating sun loungers nestled among the waves. 

Such is the plethora of activities available – others include a superb spa, fishing trips and yoga classes – that one could easily forget to fit in food. But it would be a travesty. Each meal is a delectable ode to Panama and the ocean that surrounds Islas Secas. The local bounty – welcomingly heavy on seafood – can be enjoyed in the casita, with only the gentle rustling of the island’s nocturnal purple-and-orange moon crabs for company. Or at the central al fresco restaurant, where every food and drink preference is always faultlessly remembered. 

Departing paradise is never easy, and as we sit on the runway readying ourselves for take-off, we spot an iguana darting across the tarmac and a hummingbird hovering close to a nearby tree. Oh, to be a species endemic to Islas Secas – a destination where environmental protection coexists harmoniously with excellence in Panamanian hospitality. 

Visit islassecas.com