NESDIS vs Copernicus Currents

[belizesailor]

Im about to sail from the San Blas to Bocas del Toro, Panama. This route is bedeviled by complex currents. Ive looked at current data from both NESDIS & Copernicus...and they are 180° oppossed along this route!

Looking for input on the accuracy of one vs the other. Especially along the Panamanian coast.

[belizesailor]

I can answer this question myself now. We just sailed from the San Blas to Bocas del Toro. There are contrary currents on this route up to about 1.5 knots. Copernicus has them accurately charted. NESDIS is wildly innaccurate on this route. It even has the direction 180° wrong in many places.

Ive sailed this route before and was familiar with the currents. My NESDIS question was partially based on wishful thinking...a 180° current shift would have been a dream!