Snorkelling and diving
Reefs and islets around Coiba, Granito de Oro and other sites, visited by boat from Santa Catalina. Snorkelling trips are possible for non-divers.
Gulf of Chiriquí · Veraguas · Panama
Coiba National Park
A UNESCO marine park on Panama's Pacific coast with pristine reefs, whales, sharks and an island that was once a prison.
- UNESCO World Heritage, 2005
- Over 270,000 ha, mostly sea
- About 1 to 1.5 h by boat from Santa Catalina
- Entrance is the most expensive in Panama
About the park
Coiba is the largest island in Central America and the heart of a national park that protects the island, many smaller islands and a large part of the Pacific sea around them. It was a penal colony for decades; the prison closed in 2004, and the island recovered as a refuge of forest and sea life, with almost no human presence.
Today the park is one of the best places in Panama for snorkelling and diving, with reefs, large fish, sharks and rays, and humpback whales that pass in the second half of the year. The usual visit is a day trip or a dive trip by boat from Santa Catalina, with the possibility of a night at the ranger station.
- A UNESCO marine park with very little human impact
- Coral reefs, sharks, rays and whales
- A former penal colony, now rainforest
- Day trips and dive trips from Santa Catalina
Wildlife
Whale sharks and manta raysHumpback whalesWhite-tip reef sharksScarlet macawsCrested eagleSea turtlesMany reef fish
What to see
The island
A few short trails near the ranger station, the old prison remains and quiet beaches. There are no roads, and the interior is not open to visitors.
Whales and big fish
Whale sharks are most often seen from about June to September, manta rays most of the year and humpback whales from about July to October.
Plan your visit
- Entrance
- Coiba is the most expensive protected area in the Panamanian system: foreign adults pay about $20 per day, Panamanians about $5, and children under 12 are free. The camping fee for foreigners is about $30. The portal shows the exact price when you book.
- How to visit
- Trips are booked with operators in Santa Catalina; most leave early in the morning and return in the afternoon. Some prices include the park entrance and some do not; we state it in the quote.
- Weather
- The sea can be rough, and trips are cancelled when the weather is bad. Plan a spare day.
- Best time
- The dry season from about December to April has the calmest sea; whale sharks and whales visit in the green season.
- What to bring
- Swimwear, reef-safe sun protection, a hat, water, a light jacket for the boat and cash for the village.
Book your entrance online
Entrance to Panama's protected areas, Coiba included, is sold online through the official MiAmbiente reservation portal: you choose the area and the date, enter the name and passport number of each visitor, and pay by card. You receive a code to show at the entrance.
If you book a tour or a stay with us, we can arrange the reservation for you.
Dates, areas and fees are approximate and based on published information from the Panamanian Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente), UNESCO and public guides; fees and rules can change. We confirm the current conditions when you book.
Getting there
By boat from Santa Catalina
Boats leave Santa Catalina on the Pacific coast of Veraguas, about 1 to 1.5 hours to the island. Some trips also leave from Boca Chica in Chiriquí.
To Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is about 5 to 6 hours by road from Panama City, or from David and Boquete. Ask us for a transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coiba open to visitors?
Yes, for day trips and diving, with the entrance fee. The interior of the island is not open.
Do I have to dive?
No. Snorkelling trips are available for non-divers.
Is the entrance included in the tour price?
It depends on the operator. We state it in the quote.
Do you offer this as a tour?
We arrange Coiba on request with operators in Santa Catalina. Tell us your dates.