Panama is blessed with a thriving vibrant eco system. This is especially true off the Azuero Peninsula where the Humboldt Current brinks nutrient rich water close to shore. There have been approximately 760 species of fish, 33 species of sharks and 20 species of cetaceans recorded off the Pacific Coast of Panama. There are numerous birds that call Panama's Azuero Peninsula home. Many people come to the Azuero Peninsula for the unparalleled eco-tourism adventures.

Whale watching has become a top tourist activity on the Azuero Peninsula. Pedasi is a perfect place to come in hopes of seeing these giant magnificent mammals. The best time to spot the whales is from August to December. The Humpback whales travel to areas off the Azuero Peninsula and Coiba to calve.

While twenty species of whales has been recorded in the waters off Panama's Azuero Peninsula there are 3 that tend to appear the most; Humpback, Sperm and Pilot Whales.

Humpback Whales

The humpback whale is the most common seen whale in Panama. Theses whales come to Panama and the water off the Azuero Peninsula to calve. The humpback whale was named for the hump shape it makes as it starts its dive. These whales can grow up to 50ft and weigh upwards of 55 tons.

Sperm Whales

Sperm whales can be seen off Panama's Azuero Peninsula. These whales were named for the valuable spermaceti oil that is produced by a special organ. They can grow up to 60ft and weight more than 50 tons.

Pilot Whales

The Pilot whale is actually a member of the dolphin family. These are seen quite frequently in the Pacific waters of Panama. These whales tend to travel in pods that might contain upwards of 90 members. These whales can grow up to 20ft and can weigh as much as 3 tons.

Birds of Panama

Panama has some of the best variety of birds in Central America. The Crested Eagle calls Coiba Island home and is one of the largest remaining forest dwelling birds of prey in the World. The Scarlet Meadow also calls Panama home. Considered on of the most beautiful birds in the world it is increasingly rare to see in the wild. These birds are mostly kept in captivity but in Panama it is possible to see them in their natural habitat. The Scarlet Meadow is mainly scarlet in color, with light blue tail feathers, and yellow upper wing feathers. They primarily feed on fruits and seeds. These birds also have a signature squawk that distinguishes them from other birds. Hummingbirds are also abundant in Panama. The Veraguan Mango hummingbird is native to Panama and Southern parts of Costa Rica. These hummingbirds have a metallic green breast with just a hint of bright green. They also have a blue throat. The tail is a mixture of purple and brown.

Turtles of Panama

There are four major varieties of turtles that come to Panama. Starting in April and going into about September these turtles come to nest on the beaches of Panama. The Leatherback Turtle is one of the oldest turtles, having existed for more than 65,000 years. Today there are less than 25,000 females in the World. These turtles have the largest ever recorded weight at just over 1 ton. The Hawksbill Turtle is considerably smaller and usually weighs in at 130lbs. These turtles are found throughout the tropics and are only about 22,000 nesting females remaining. The Olive Ridley Turtle is named for the color of its shell, an olive green. This turtle is more common with about 800,000 females left in the World. The Olive Ridley turtle can grow upwards of 150lbs. The Loggerhead Turtle is named for its massive head and bone crushing jaws. This turtle can also be found in the waters off Panama's Azuero Peninsula. There are only about 45,000 nesting female Loggerheads. They grow up too 350lbs.