I had an amazing experience with my family (4,7,10 year olds) aboard water world! San Blas islands are incredibly beautiful and we were so lucky to have Danielle and Josh guide us through the islands sharing all their knowledge of the ocean, coral reefs and sailing, we learned a lot during the trip. We snorkeled different coral reefs everyday, did lots of swimming and exploring the islands. Danielle is a fantastic cook, we ate really well breakfast lunch and dinner. I appreciated how attentive and accommodating they were to us giving us options everyday to make each day customized to what we wanted to do. They set up a day tour with a local guide to Guna Yala island villages to see their daily life and learn about the culture which was an enriching experience for the whole family. We caught fish in the evenings off the back of the sailboat and never had a lack of things to do. My wish would be for everyone to have the opportunity to experience time on this boat and experience the lifestyle and raw beauty of the islands, unfortunately most people won’t but if your reading this and debating making the trip I could not recommend it enough and would highly encourage you to stop reading this review and immediately go ahead and book your trip!

Huge shoutout to Water World Micro Expeditions for an unforgettable island-hopping sailing adventure in San Blas, Panama. I can honestly say this experience exceeded every expectation I had. Danielle, Josh, and their son Silas were absolutely top-tier when it came to hospitality, knowledge, energy, and making me feel welcome from the moment the trip started. By the end of it, it genuinely felt less like a tour and more like spending time with family. The islands they took me to looked like something straight out of a movie or nature documentary — crystal-clear water, untouched beaches, and scenery that honestly didn’t even feel real at times. The snorkeling was unreal. From reef sharks and nurse sharks to stingrays and vibrant reefs, the marine life was incredible everywhere we went. Every stop somehow kept getting better than the last. A special shoutout to young Silas as well for the fishing lessons and for showing off an awesome catch out on the water — definitely one of the many memorable moments from the trip. From start to finish, this was one of the best travel experiences I’ve had. The entire trip was relaxing, adventurous, authentic, and unforgettable all at the same time. I’m extremely glad I chose to go with them and would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

We have just spent 3 days on the boat here in San blas islands…. Our trip was cut short due to future work so to be able to squeeze this treasure has been a absolute treat. Filled with authentic sailing living, calm sun filled atmosphere and health fresh food deliveried by local boat and fresh caught catches it’s been a blast. They helped us find a trip from panamas city central all the way to the dock and then to the zone there in! Was quite organised Living surrounded by crystal clean waters and the great island adventurers ! I would suggest longer that 3 days to experiences the local restaurants to the secluded Coconut filled oasis . Would be great for family’s and light minded people looking for a new perspective on peaceful living! With paddle boats snorkeling gear and the dinghy possibilities are endless! A wholesome and open minded experience for all !

Kudos to this family of 3 for an unforgettable adventure. Island hopping, snorkeling, fishing was amazing. The food was great and their son Silas could not have been more joy. We really enjoyed Chkm8, she’s comfortable and sails beautifully and San Blas is bit a dream. Don’t hesitate to book NOW!

Absolutely incredible experience with this boat. We have been extremely well looked after by the whole family and been shown loads of great things around the San Blas islands. I’ve been taught how to fish and have eaten the fish that’s been caught, been snorkelling, visited different local islands, eaten well, slept well. It can be as adventurous or tranquil as you like. I would highly, highly recommend. I’m here for 3 nights only - wish I could stay longer!! Thank youuuuu

I’m Eli, traveling a bit around South America, and one of the most beautiful experiences I had was spending a week sailing in San Blas with a three-person family: Danielle, Josh, and their little boy. A friend and I had the chance to stay on their sailing boat. From the very first moment, we felt welcome. Their boat quickly became more than just a place to sleep — it became a floating home filled with laughter, good conversations, and a strong sense of community. During the week, we explored the stunning islands of San Blas together. We went snorkeling in crystal-clear water, surrounded by colorful fish and coral reefs. Every day brought a new small adventure — discovering quiet beaches, watching the stars on the deck if it was not raining or claudy haha and falling asleep to the gentle movement of the sea. What made this experience so special was not only the beautiful surroundings, but the people. Danielle and Josh are incredibly open-minded and welcoming. They value community deeply and made us feel like part of their family. We shared our means and resources, cooked meals together, and exchanged stories and experiences from our travels and lives. Food plays an important role in their daily life. Danielle is very passionate about body and mental health, especially nervous system regulation, and you can feel how consciously they approach their lifestyle. Healthy, nourishing food is a natural and important part of their everyday routine. Josh has an impressive knowledge of speerfishing. He shared many insights with us — about the sea, different fish species, and sustainable fishing practices. It was inspiring to see how connected he feels to the ocean and how much respect he has for nature. For him hunting under the water is his to meditate to be in the moment. We also spent time with the local sailing community, meeting other travelers and families. There is something very special about this kind of community — supportive, free-spirited, and deeply connected to nature. Their little boy is full of energy and curiosity. He is open, playful, and always ready for an adventure. We spent time playing together, exploring beaches, and simply enjoying the freedom of island life. His joy and liveliness brought even more warmth to the experience. This time we spent was a time of connection or reconnection — to the ocean, to community, and to a slower, more intentional way of living. I’m deeply grateful for this experience and for the openness and generosity of this beautiful family. It’s a memory I will carry with me for a long time.

Such a great time, with a great family, on a great boat, in an amazing place! The San Blass Islands are spectacular, the native Kuna people, the turquoise water and sandy beaches, one of the last untouched gems of the Caribbean! And there’s no better way to experience it than on Chkm8 with this knowledgeable family! Captain Josh is competent and capable maneuvering the boat into isolated anchorages next to stunning islands and coral reefs, Danielle is a charming hostess that can bake! On the boat! & Silas is one of the coolest kids I’ve ever encountered! The little dude was even teaching me fishing techniques! We could not have had a better time! Highly recommend

We spent four nights on the boat with Danielle, Josh and their son, and it became one of those experiences we know we will still be talking about years from now. What made it so special was not just the beautiful places we visited, but the way they welcomed us into their life. For a few days, they shared their home, their routines and their way of living with us, and we felt comfortable from the very beginning. Everything was organized so well, but nothing ever felt formal or planned down to the last detail. It was relaxed, personal and simply easy. We loved getting a glimpse into what life on a boat is really like. Danielle and Josh shared so much with us, explained things, showed us around, answered all our questions and gave us an insight into the community around them as well. We had many great conversations and learned a lot along the way. The days themselves were full of little highlights. We stopped at different islands, often in places that felt completely untouched, and went snorkeling at several spots. We saw colorful fish, turtles, nurse sharks, rays, beautiful coral and so much more. The water was incredibly clear and blue, and every place felt a little different. The food was another big part of the experience. Danielle is a fantastic cook. We were spoiled with really wonderful meals every day, and everything was fresh, delicious and made with so much care. We had fresh fish, lots of fresh fruit and she even made our kids’ favourite dish: pancakes! Our children loved being on the boat, jumping into the water, exploring the islands and discovering this completely different way of life. They connected so well with their son, and we adults also felt that we were spending time with people we genuinely enjoyed being around. By the end of the four days, it did not feel like we had simply booked a trip. It felt more like we had been invited into someone’s home and had the chance to be part of their life for a little while. Thank you, Danielle, Josh and your son, for sharing so much with us. The boat, the islands and the underwater world were amazing, but what we will remember most is how welcome you made us feel and how much fun we had together. It was a very special few days for all five of us. ❤️ Wait time No wait Reservation recommended

What an experience! Kind, positive, and motivated family who made our stay tailored and amazing. Great food, beautiful surroundings, comfortable boat. Loved all the snorkeling and reef exploration (certainly helped that they are experts on reef fish and other aquatic wildlife;) All together a great stay, would definitely recommend!

My family and I (kids 14 and 12) had an absolute blast on the boat. I can’t recommend chartering with Danielle and Josh highly enough. We spent 6 days and 5 nights with them, visiting three different anchorages, and every part of it was wonderful. Danielle and Josh are genuinely lovely people, and their son is just fantastic. They’re full of adventure and clearly love sharing their world in the San Blas Islands with guests. They were always attentive to our needs and made us feel completely taken care of the entire time. Josh did an excellent job keeping us safe and getting us everywhere we wanted to go, while Danielle kept the water stocked and cooked us the most amazing meals on board. We couldn’t have been happier out on the water with them. If you’re even thinking about booking a trip with them—stop thinking and just do it!