During my recent visit to Bala Beach Resort, I got together with a few friends and we went for a short drive to visit the island called Isla Mamey. It is easy to find and not nearly as crowded as Isla Grande. Go on a weekday that is not a holiday and you could be sharing the whole island with a few coconuts.
From Bala Beach Resort, drive back through the village to the coastal highway and turn left toward Portobelo. The drive is very beautiful with many nice views of the water. When you get to Portobelo, you can stop and pick up some snacks and drinks or have a meal.
Continue on through Portobelo and at the fork, keep to the left going toward Isla Grande. You will now drive inland past some farms. Keep an eye out for some of Panama's great wildlife.
When you get to Puerto Lindo, you will see a fuel depot. Turn left off the highway and drive to the dock. Parking is restricted, so I recommend you park in the parking lot of the small hotel near the depot. They charge a small fee to leave your car. They will call for a boat if there is no one at the dock, or ask at the restaurant just a few more meters along the shoreline to help you get a boat to Isla Mamey.
The cost when I went was less than $10 per person round trip. The boat will take you and your friends to the island and come back to pick you up at a pre-arranged time. The trip to the island takes only a short time and the water there is fairly protected and calm.
The small island has a nice beach and a sizeable area of shallow water for swimming or snorkeling. We had fun watching the beautiful tropical fish hanging around the rocks.
There is a trail going part way around the island that takes you to a rock spot with some great views of the sea and Linton Island.
This will be one of my favorite places to share with guests when I am enjoying a stay at Bala Beach.
Our boat showed up right on time to take us back to Puerto Lindo. If you enjoy a little tropical exploring and the beautiful tropical waters of the Caribbean, you might really enjoy a visit to Isla Mamey.
