Canal & Bay Tours, a company which, as its name suggests specializes in trips in the world-famous Panama Canal and the Bay of Panama, is leading efforts to renew interest in the island of Taboga, located 12 nautical miles south of Panama City.

Mr. Juan Carlos Novey, owner of the company, recently met with the mayor of the town of Taboga, Ricardo Boza and a group of local businesspeople in order to set out a plan to launch new tours and restore the island's tourist facilities.

Canal & Bay Tours has also launched a new daily schedule for its ferry service between Panama City and Taboga. Island-bound ferries depart at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., returning at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. The company has a flotilla of three vessels: the Fantasía del Mar, the recently-restored Isla Morada (a historic icon built in 1912) and the Isla Contadora.

Mr. Rivardo Boza, mayor of Taboga (left) speaks with Juan Carlos Novey, owner of Canal & Bay Tours

Canal & Bay Tours also offers complete and partial transits of the Panama Canal and night tours of the Bay of Panama.

Considered one of the most popular retreats for city dwellers, Taboga offers visitors many historic and natural attractions. Due to its proximity to Panama City, it was use as an alternate port since the colonial period. Its tiny town, on which motor vehicles are not allowed, harbors one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches of the Western Hemisphere. The island is also a sanctuary for a number of bir and marine species.

For more information, call 314-1349 or visit the page www.canalandbaytours.com