Indré Rockefeller’s Travel Diary From Islas Secas, Panama—A Remote Archipelago That “Feels Like a Hidden Treasure”
“The whole archipelago feels like a hidden treasure,” Indré Rockefeller says of her recent trip to Islas Secas, a remote group of 14 islands off the Pacific coast of Panama. Only one of them is inhabited, while the other 13 are preserved wildlife sanctuaries.
Such a vacation destination was ideal for Rockefeller, an environmentalist who is the founder of The Circularity Project, a nonprofit that empowers designers to use materials that last longer and use fewer resources—reducing the eco-footprint of the fashion industry in the process. The resort on Islas Secas is off-the-grid and fully sustainable, relying on solar power and recycling 100% of its food waste and wastewater. It also supports the Islas Secas Foundation, which funds marine and avian conservation. “You’re in the middle of nature and it’s very clear the experience is about nature—appreciating it, exploring it, and protecting it,” she says.
Rockefeller, along with her husband Justin—as well as Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon and his husband Paul Arnhold—spent their days exploring the archipelago via dive boat. (Binoculars and Panama hats were a must.) They all developed a surprise fixation with bird watching—but it wasn’t because of their beauty: “Beny Wilson, the conservation manager of Islas Secas and a leading bird expert in North America, completely captivated us with his tales of the unfolding drama among the local bird colonies,” she says. (They’d discuss freshly caught ceviche and sugarcane juice freshly squeezed from the orchard.)
At night, the group would return to the resort for an elevated dinner in the tropics. Rockefeller, who is also the co-founder of sustainable luggage company Paravel, wore colorful matching sets throughout as a fashionable and functional choice: “It fits into a packing philosophy I’m trying out: committing to sets to simplify packing.”
Below, see Indre Rockefeller’s Panama travel diary. “There are no lights, no boats, no developments—just raw, wild, nature,” she says.
Photo: Courtesy of Indré Rockefeller1/22There’s a sense of intimacy about the island—everything is centered on the natural surroundings. The buildings are integrated into the landscape and built from low-impact materials. The whole resort runs on 100% renewable energy and all of the food waste and wastewater is recycled. My lemon-yellow knit set, however, blends in a lot less. It’s from Mr. Mittens, known for their timeless, small-batch, hand-knit pieces. Not only has this skirt and top been used as everything from a beach coverup to a dinner look over the years, but it also fits into a packing philosophy I’m trying out: committing to sets to simplify packing.
Photo: Courtesy of Indré Rockefeller2/22I still think about this outdoor shower often. I think it speaks for itself.
Photo: Courtesy of Indré Rockefeller3/22To be honest, I didn’t get any poolside reading done because there was so much to do on the islands. Each morning, I would set up an aspirational pre-breakfast reading corner. Then one or two pages in, I would get distracted by the smell of baking croissants (literally made fresh each morning) and trot off towards the baked goods. I stand by my decisions.
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Photo: Courtesy of Indré Rockefeller4/22Natural elements are woven into the architecture of Islas Secas at every corner. This is now on my mood board for a future dream garden.
Photo: Courtesy of Indré Rockefeller5/22Even our swimsuits, set out to dry, had a great view of the archipelago. My suit is Agua by Agua Bendita and I did bring the matching pants, per my sets theme.
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