Islas Secas – New, Private Island Eco-Resort –
Takes One "Beyond the Norm"

Beyond What You've Experienced Before…

Islas Secas – If it were possible to name one remaining, previously undiscovered frontier for outdoor activities such as deep sea and spear fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, whale-watching, surfing, hiking, even bird-watching, the place would have to be Islas Secas.

Protected and uninhabited for hundreds of years, this ancient island paradise -- consisting of 16 virtually untouched islands and one well-appointed, comfortably furnished, new eco-resort -- is opening to the public on December 18, 2004. It is located 12 miles off the coast of Panama near Costa Rica. Visitation is limited to 12 guests to preserve the area's eco-system.

Islas Secas is one of the last, unique, untouched areas of the world with pristine, pastoral coastlines, clear warm water, centuries-old trees, running streams, waterfalls, and sea life so abundant it rivals bygone eras.

"I decided that these islands were too beautiful to keep to myself and my family," owner Michael Klein said when asked why he developed the exclusive retreat. "I want people to have an opportunity to see what the world looked like long ago before man's impact was felt, when the seas were teeming with fish, whales and sea turtles; when exotic plants, birds and wildlife appeared along beaches and amidst gigantic trees on a few thousand acres of lush, green terrain that includes now extinct volcanoes; when 'normal' meant no people, just 'the call of the wild' in a gorgeous Pacific ocean setting. For folks who like adventure, with some creature comforts and a whole lot of privacy thrown in, like me, it's a dream come true.

"My sister introduced me to the islands about three years ago," Klein continued. "She was sailing around the world and called me one day to say, 'You have got to come here and see this place!' It took me ages to actually visit, but it turns out the Panama of today defies expectations!

"When I visited the islands, their beauty and size amazed me. For instance, there's a huge, 500-year-old Nispero tree – if you were to take a photo of me standing next to it I'd appear so tiny you'd hardly realize I was even in the photo. The orchids and other flora and fauna are also unbelievable – exotic and beautiful. On some stretches of beach, blankets of crabs (they don't bite) greet you in colors I've never seen – yellow, orange, purple, red, neon, iridescent. The sea life is nearly as rich as it was centuries ago, because few people have fished the coastal waters around these islands. Hawks soar overhead. Even the iguanas are friendly; they've seen few humans and don't seem too concerned about us. There are bizarre types of wildlife, too.

"However, nothing on the island bites, nothing is predatory, and nothing is dangerous with the exception of one poisonous apple tree. Nothing is easy to catch either." Klein winked. "There are almost no bugs during the dry season, which is the only time of year the resort is open. Even mammals (mice, rats, and so forth) are non-existent. The trade winds keep the temperature comfortable."

The resort includes five-star service, six well-spaced (about 100 yards apart), private, double-occupancy casitas (guest bungalows) with ocean front views, and "outdoor recreation like you've never experienced it before", Klein said. Trained employees are on hand to introduce guests to activities they may not have tried before. While only one of the islands will provide accommodations, the other islands will be accessible by kayak or boat to those fortunate enough to stay at the quiet, prized vacation spot.

The gourmet kitchen includes a Five-Star Chef. "All of the water and much of the food is native to the islands. It's some of the freshest organic food you'll ever taste in your life," Klein said. The solar-powered resort also features a spa for massages. The only other buildings on the island, storage facilities and housing for the workers, are hidden so that guests can enjoy the island's pristine nature.

The name Islas Secas means "Dry Islands" in Spanish. While lush and green, their 16 foot tide range gives the impression of dry because the bays completely empty twice a day.
Klein said, "There are very few places left on earth where eco-systems remain intact and uninterrupted. People think the wilderness areas they're used to visiting are like they always were, but the wildlife and plant life in most places on the earth has declined dramatically. The goal at Islas Secas is to put the islands into a foundation and preserve them in perpetuity, even after I'm gone. It's a fantasy place. We're utilizing only one percent of the land mass and we want to keep it that way."

Islas Secas is open from December through April each year during the dry season. For travel information and reservations, visit www.islassecas.com, email info@islassecas.com, fax 305-768-0400, or phone 805-729-2737. The island is about an hour and a half private plane flight from Panama City. Many major airlines fly there. Islas Secas has its own plane and island runway; guests can be picked up and whisked off to the islands as soon as they arrive in (or as soon as they are ready to leave) Panama.
# # #