Passage Colombia-Panama
International Ocean Data Conference – III
I am happy to inform you that our poster, “Sail for Science – How Sailors Can Help Scientists to Fill Gaps in Oceanographic Data“, was presented at the International Ocean Data Conference – III (IODC-III) in Santa Marta, Colombia, on March 10-11. I took part in the conference online, directly from our SV Oceanolog, sailing the waters of the Colombian archipelago of Los Rosarios—a stunning Coral National Natural Park known for its rich biodiversity and pristine waters.
Here is our poster: https://oceandataconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sail-for-Science-how-sailors-can-help-science-to-fill-gaps-in-oceanographic-data.pdf
Islas del Rosario: A Marine Wonderland
As we approached the Islas del Rosario archipelago, the sight of turquoise waters, mangrove-covered shores, and white sandy beaches immediately captured our hearts. The protected coral reefs surrounding the islands create an underwater paradise, making it one of the best spots in the Caribbean for snorkeling and diving.
Before leaving the archipelago, we made a stop at Isla Marina, one of the smaller islands of Islas del Rosario. Here, we had an unforgettable wildlife experience—a visit to a large colony of frigatebirds.
As we approached the island, we could already see the massive birds soaring overhead, their distinctive forked tails and long wingspans making them easy to identify. The males, in particular, were a sight to behold—their red throat pouches puffed up like balloons, an impressive display meant to attract mates. The air was filled with the sounds of squawking and the rustling of wings as hundreds of these birds perched in the trees, occasionally taking off in search of food.
Unlike other seabirds, frigatebirds cannot land on water because their feathers are not waterproof. Instead, they steal fish from other birds or catch flying fish mid-air. Watching them maneuver so effortlessly in the sky was truly mesmerizing.
We carefully navigated our dinghy around the mangrove-lined shores, marveling at the sheer number of birds nesting in the trees. The experience was a powerful reminder of how these islands are not just a paradise for humans but also a crucial sanctuary for wildlife.
