The Ikigai Experience in Guna Yala
A small-group catamaran experience for up to six guests, with sailing, snorkelling, freediving, yoga, fresh meals and time among the islands.
Minimum stay: 3 nights · Recommended: 5, 7 or 10 nights · Max 6 guests · 3 cabins
At a glance
Ikigai welcomes up to six guests in three cabins for stays of at least three nights in the San Blas Islands. Options start at 325 USD per person per night in a shared cabin and include accommodation, meals on board and the activities planned for the stay.
Dates are confirmed in order of request: December and the holidays fill first.
Before choosing dates, cabins or itineraries, take a moment to feel what life aboard Ikigai is really about.
This is not just a place to visit. It is a rhythm to enter.
Life aboard
Sailing, water activities, guided practices, shared meals and time to experience the islands.
Each stay begins with a planned programme, which we adapt to the group's preferences, weather and sea conditions, and local logistics.
Days alternate between sailing, snorkelling, island time, shared meals, rest and the practices available aboard.
Activities are always optional: you can take part or choose to devote more time to rest and life at sea.
20 August – 20 October
Between 20 August and 20 October, Luca may be ashore between voyages. During that period, a relief skipper is responsible for navigation and the safety of the boat. Practices personally guided by Luca, such as freediving, yoga and meditation, are not available while he is away. Sailing, snorkelling, island visits and life aboard continue. Tell us your dates and we will confirm who will be aboard.
Sailing training aboard Ikigai is not a classroom course — it's learning to sail by living aboard a real ocean catamaran, taking the helm and the sheets between the islands of Guna Yala.
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Learn freediving while living at sea in San Blas, with AIDA and Apnea Total courses, small groups, open-water practice, breathwork, yoga and meditation.
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Swimming and snorkeling aboard Ikigai aren't quick tourist stops — they're part of the daily rhythm at sea. Coral gardens, reef edges and drop-offs in warm, clear water, with all equipment aboard and freediving practice built in.
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Yoga aboard Ikigai is a way to return to the body — practised on the catamaran deck at sunrise and sunset, or on remote beaches with nothing but the sea and the wind around you.
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Meditation aboard Ikigai is a return to presence — shifting attention from thinking to sensing on the catamaran deck at sunrise, on quiet beaches and sandbanks surrounded by ocean.
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Janzu water therapy is a gentle form of aquatic bodywork: in warm, protected water the body is supported, moved through slow fluid movements and invited to let go. Guided by Luca, trained in Janzu and WATA / WaterDance.
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Functional training aboard Ikigai is not about performance — it's a simple way to wake the body, build strength and reconnect with movement on deck or on the islands of Guna Yala.
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Leave the boat by dinghy, ride upriver into the edge of the Darién rainforest, then walk two hours through living jungle to a freshwater waterfall — from turquoise sea to deep green forest in a single day.
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Cook with what the sea and the land give us — fish caught that morning, local fruit and vegetables. Hands in, learn a few boat-galley tricks, then everyone eats together.
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An autonomous Indigenous territory where the sea and local communities follow rules and rhythms different from conventional tourism.
Guna Yala is an autonomous Indigenous territory governed by the Guna people according to their own traditions, rules and forms of organisation.
There are no large resorts or marinas. Most travel happens on the water, and daily life in the communities is closely connected to the sea and the islands.
Sailing here requires respect, adaptability and a willingness to accept that weather, sea conditions and local logistics may change the plan. This is also what makes the experience different from an organised resort holiday.
A Catana 47 designed for offshore sailing, with three guest cabins and a maximum of six guests.
Ikigai is a Catana 47, an ocean-going catamaran designed for long passages and life at sea.
Light, fast and carrying a generous sail plan, she can keep moving even in light winds. Sailing is therefore not only a way to travel between islands, but a real part of the experience.
The spaces are comfortable but shared. Ikigai is not a floating hotel: she is a lived-in boat, designed to travel and welcome small groups.
With three guest cabins and no more than six guests, there is time to get to know one another, take part in daily life and still find your own space.
Luca & Paola
Ikigai is not run like a traditional charter. Crew and guests share the spaces and part of daily life, while respecting everyone's roles, safety and needs.
Skipper and founder
Luca founded Ikigai Sailing and is an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore skipper and freediving instructor. He is responsible for navigation and safety on board and, when conditions and the programme allow, leads freediving introductions and shares breathing, movement and meditation practices.
Chef and hostess
Paola looks after hospitality and cooking. Through the meals and the small details of everyday life, she helps keep life aboard simple, welcoming and well organised.
Stays
The minimum stay is three nights. Five nights offer a good balance of sailing, time in the water and life aboard; seven or ten nights make it possible to explore more of the archipelago without crowding the days.
3 nights
A short stay to discover life aboard, sail between nearby anchorages and spend time in the water and on the islands. It also suits travellers including San Blas in a wider trip through Panama.
Best for: Guests with limited time who want a first experience aboard.
5 nights
Five nights allow sailing, snorkelling, island time, available practices and rest to alternate without making the programme too intense.
Best for: Guests looking for a complete but compact experience.
7 nights
A week gives us more freedom when choosing anchorages and leaves more time for sailing, water activities, island visits and everyday life aboard.
Best for: Guests who want to explore at an easy pace while keeping an eye on budget.
10 nights
Ten nights make it possible to reach more distant parts of the archipelago, adapt the route to conditions and leave room for both activities and rest.
Best for: Guests who want to experience San Blas and life aboard with more time and flexibility.
Aboard Ikigai
Ikigai has three guest cabins and welcomes no more than six people. Private cabins are booked as a whole and accommodate one or two guests. Shared-cabin places are priced per person and require a compatible match.
Dates are confirmed in order of request: December and the holidays fill first.
For couples, friends or solo travellers who want more privacy.
$650 / night per cabin
Outside the Christmas and New Year period, two guests sharing a cabin pay the equivalent of 325 USD per person per night.
Total: $1,950
For solo travellers who are comfortable sharing.
From $325 / night per person
If we cannot find a compatible match, you can choose a private cabin, consider different dates or join the waiting list.
Total: $975
For families, groups or dates tailored to you.
Available on request
The contribution for a private boat depends on the duration, period, number of guests and type of experience requested.
Request a private boat quoteContributions are shown in USD. For bank transfers to the Italian account, the final amount is confirmed in EUR using the exchange rate in force when the booking is confirmed. Payments are membership contributions supporting the activities of Ikigai Sailing ASD, a CONI-recognised non-profit amateur sports association.
Not sure which option fits you? Message us and we'll help you choose the best format for your dates, group and cabin configuration.
In pictures
Day by day
These itineraries are examples, not guaranteed programmes. Routes, anchorages and activities depend on the weather, sea conditions, safety, local logistics and the group's preferences.
Good to know
Inclusions may vary according to duration, period and chosen format. Before booking, you will receive the details that apply to your stay in writing.
Getting there
Most guests arrive at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. We recommend arriving at least one day before boarding and spending one night in the city, ideally in Casco Viejo. On boarding day, a 4×4 leaves in the early morning and reaches the Caribbean coast, where a local Guna boat continues to Ikigai. Arrival aboard is normally in the late morning, but can change with the weather, sea conditions and local logistics. Transfers are not included; we help coordinate them with local providers.
Logbook
What a lovely and crazy experience I had on board with this crew! You have all you need on this boat, it’s very confortable. And the most amazing part is the kindness of the crew. They want you to live the best experience ever. The Food is excellent! Sunset with whales 🐳 is unforgettable. Merci
Alice Modolo
Paris
I spent 6 nights in January on Ikigai – and I cannot think of a better start of my vacation/ sabbatical then this. First of all, San Blas Islands feel like paradise. Living on a boat and seeing different islands, waking up and going to bed to the sound of the waves and the wind is amazing.
And on top of this, there is the Ikigai experience with Luca as the captain and Paola as the chef. They form such a perfect team! Food and Italian Espresso is just – wow!! 😍 We did meditation, yoga and workouts together on the boat or on a remote island. Went snorkeling and got to know the specifics of San Blas.
I really didn’t want to leave after my initially planned time – and even for this wish Luca found a great solution. Grazie per tutto!
Anja Rolfes
We truly felt lucky when, not long ago, a dear friend of ours met Luca on a beach in Los Roques. From that moment, we discovered the Ikigai Sailing project. Even before taking part in this incredible experience, we were watching this crew of dreamer sailors from afar. Shortly after, we found ourselves on board the catamaran with them. Lucky indeed!
My partner and I enjoyed every single moment of this unforgettable journey. We discovered the beauty of being able to trust someone. Luca guided us with professionalism, safety, and calmness toward new activities: meditation, yoga, freediving, and spearfishing. We pushed beyond our physical and mental limits, learned to slow down, and to look within. We felt renewed and stronger.
Surrounded by the unique atmosphere of the Caribbean Sea, the Ikigai crew is a perfect blend. We cannot fail to mention Paula’s sweetness and Luca’s passion for cooking. Together, they pampered us every day with delicacies from the sea. We felt at home.
We discovered places that moved us to tears, shared emotional moments at sunset, and met the Guna people, resilient and deeply connected spiritually with nature. We fully immersed ourselves in this adventure, felt part of the Ikigai Sailing “family,” and at the same time so small in front of the vastness of the San Blas Islands’ nature.
I don’t think we will ever truly be able to put it into words. This is only a goodbye for now, we will meet again in the new world. Ikigai has captured our hearts!
Arianna
A floating home with strangers that became friends. That was my experience on Ikigai boat. A dream coming true, where I was all the time next to the sea, with all the comfort I love to have in my daily life; I´m talking about waking up in the middle of paradise, jumping in the water, visit the reef, having a double espresso, do my work out, jump in the water again, have a delicious breakfast, water again, delicious lunch, freediving, watching the sunset, delicious dinner, watching the stars and repeat! Plus a lot of sea adventures here and there…
Carla Garcia
Mexico
I spent 21 days aboard the Ikigai. Fantastic, you say: on a boat, in the San Blas Islands, Kuna territory. It’s easy to imagine it being fantastic. First of all: to find the San Blas Islands, you have to get there and “adapt”. And you also have to respect the Kuna and their territory: movie-like beaches and atolls. This, thanks to Luca, seems like a natural occurrence aboard the Ikigai. From the moment you cross your legs at the bow for meditation as soon as you wake up, to the last star you turn off (even at the stern, if you like) before going to sleep, you live in a simply more adapted way. Without giving up anything…not even a good espresso and bread. Adapting, however, means a lobster barbecue, which the Captain never fails to provide.
21 days without shoes or flip-flops, completely barefoot…and you’ve probably never been there since you’ve been wearing them…and you don’t even realize it.
Claudio Montibelli
Siamo stati a San Blas con Ikigai per una decina di giorni. L’arcipelago è bellissimo, ancora protetto dai locali da un turismo di massa. Una vacanza fuori dal tempo in uno scenario naturale bellissimo: isolette selvagge, locali ospitali, barriera corallina, squali, delfini, sole e vento… Ikigai è un catamarano molto confortevole, su cui non manca nulla. Luca e Paola ci hanno viziati ed accuditi con ottima cucina, attività fisica, meditazioni, chiacchiere e ottima compagnia. Luca è l’amico che ha il coraggio di fare quello che tutti sognano di fare, con grande energia e entusiasmo. Grazie e… buon vento!
Cristiano Talpo
We stayed with Luca for six days in January of 2026 sailing through the SAN Blas Islands in Panama and had an amazing experience. The snorkelling was the best we’ve ever seen. We saw sharks, puffer fish, dolphins and so much more! Luca kept us busy everyday with exploring different Islands and snorkelling areas. Food on board was absolutely amazing and included lots of seafood. The boat was clean and really nicely setup. I will be booking again!
Donna Schuelle
Salire a bordo del catamarano Ikigai e navigare tra le isole incontaminate delle San Blas è stato molto più di una semplice vacanza: è stata un’esperienza profonda, fuori dal tempo, capace di arricchire profondamente e di rimanere impressa ben oltre il rientro a casa.
L’arcipelago è di una bellezza disarmante: isolette selvagge, mare cristallino, barriera corallina viva, squali, mante, vento e sole. Un luogo ancora protetto e autentico, dove la popolazione locale dei Guna Yala accoglie con gentilezza e semplicità, rendendo tutto ancora più speciale.
Il catamarano Ikigai è estremamente confortevole e curato in ogni dettaglio: a bordo non manca davvero nulla. Dalla macchina per l’espresso al forno per il pane, fino al barbecue, ogni comfort supera le aspettative. Il mio posto del cuore? Senza dubbio le reti a prua: perfette per rilassarsi, leggere o semplicemente lasciarsi cullare dal mare.
Le giornate scorrevano in un equilibrio perfetto tra avventura e relax. Yoga e meditazione al mattino, allenamenti strutturati e sessioni di boxe su spiagge bianchissime, partite di pallavolo, snorkeling e immersioni. L’introduzione all’apnea è stata per me un’esperienza viscerale e potente. Imparare a respirare,ascoltarsi,un’immersione non solo nel mare ma anche dentro me stessa, accompagnata da emozioni così intense e profonde.
L’atmosfera a bordo è stata straordinaria: sorrisi, risate, condivisione, confronto tra lingue e culture diverse. Un clima umano e autentico che ti fa sentire parte di una piccola famiglia. Gran parte di tutto questo è merito di Luca e Paola: due persone speciali che ci hanno accolti, accuditi e viziati con naturalezza, energia ed entusiasmo. Conoscerli come persone, oltre che come professionisti, è stato un vero privilegio e ne sono davvero grata.
E poi il cibo… semplicemente eccellente. Colazioni sempre curate, pranzi e cene a base di pesce fresco appena pescato, piatti creativi e sapori autentici. Dalla carbonara preparata a regola d’arte da Luca,alle aragoste,al sashimi di pesce appena pescato,fino alla torta di compleanno preparata a sorpresa da Paola. Ogni pasto é stato un momento di piacere condiviso e di vera connessione.
La sicurezza a bordo è stata impeccabile. La navigazione è sempre stata gestita con grande attenzione, professionalità e attrezzature adeguate. Mi sono sentita costantemente in mani esperte, libera di godermi ogni momento in totale serenità.
Nuotare con gli squali, osservare le aquile di mare a pochi metri, meditare al tramonto, ballare sotto un cielo stellato attorno al fuoco,vivere la semplicità della vita in mare con persone speciali che condividono le tue stesse passioni,hanno reso questo viaggio indimenticabile.
Consiglierei questa esperienza senza alcuna esitazione. Ikigai non è solo un catamarano, ma un luogo dell’anima: uno spazio in cui ritrovare equilibrio, energia e il senso delle cose importanti.
Grazie di cuore a Luca e Paola 💙 Un viaggio che porterò per sempre con me…e che spero di rifare al più presto.
Elisa
Good to know
A private cabin is priced per cabin and accommodates one or two guests. A shared-cabin place is priced per person and is available only with a compatible match.
Yes. You can request a shared-cabin place from 325 USD per person per night, subject to matching, or reserve a private cabin. Shared cabins are not available over Christmas and New Year.
You can choose a private cabin, consider different dates or join the waiting list for future availability.
The minimum stay is three nights. Five, seven and ten nights are the durations we recommend depending on the time available and the type of journey you want.
Yes. Three, five, seven and ten nights are examples. For a private boat we can also consider tailored stays and dates.
No. On arrival we explain the safety rules and how life aboard works.
No. Freediving introductions, when included, also suit complete beginners. Safety and relaxation come before depth.
No. Every activity is an invitation. You can take part or choose to rest and follow your own pace.
Ikigai has Starlink, subject to service availability. Connectivity can still vary with location and conditions.
No. Transfers to and from Panama City are not included, but we help coordinate them with local providers.
Safety comes before the programme. Routes, anchorages and activities may change with the weather, sea conditions and local logistics.
Yes. A private cabin accommodates two people and is the simplest option for a couple.
Yes. Families, groups of friends and facilitators can request the whole boat. The contribution is defined according to duration, period and number of guests.
Plan your voyage
Tell us your dates, how many nights, and how you're travelling. We'll reply with availability, route options and the best cabin solution for your dates.
Tell us your preferred dates, how many nights, and whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, with a friend or as a private group. We'll help you choose the best option for availability, route and cabin configuration.
At a glance
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Private cabin: $650 / night per cabin
Shared cabin spot: from $325 / night per person
Private boat: available on request
