$80 per person
Most complete day
Coiba Island Tour
The classic day in the park: three snorkel stops, lunch on Coiba Island and beach time on Isla Ranchería, on a shared boat.
- Full day
- 3 snorkel stops
- Lunch included
Coiba Island tours from Santa Catalina
Snorkel with sea turtles and reef sharks, have lunch on Coiba Island and relax on a white-sand beach. A full day in Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Weather guaranteeIf the sea isn't safe: a new date or your deposit back.
- Certified crewATP-certified guides and certified captains.
- Lunch and gear includedSnorkel gear, life jackets, lunch and drinks.
- Easy bookingOn WhatsApp, in English or Spanish.
Tours and prices
Every tour leaves Santa Catalina at 8:00 AM with a bilingual guide, snorkel gear, life jackets and lunch. The national park entrance is paid separately on the day.
From $600 per boat
Private tour
Your own boat, captain and guide. You choose the pace and the stops.
- 1 to 10 people
- Flexible plan
From $80 per person
Whale watching
Humpback whales in the Gulf of Chiriquí, from July to October.
- July to October
- Shared or private
$80 per person
Ruins closed for now
Coiba Prison tour
The ruins of the penal colony (1919–2004), plus snorkeling and the beach. Ask us before booking.
- Groups of 8 to 10
- History and snorkel
How the day goes
A typical day on the Coiba Island Tour. Each morning the captain and guide choose the order and the snorkel sites according to the tide, visibility and sea conditions.
-
8:00 AM
Meet the crew
Santa Catalina
Meet your guide at our meeting point, get your mask, snorkel and fins fitted, and listen to a short safety briefing.
-
On the way
Boat ride to the park
Gulf of Chiriquí
About an hour by boat. Keep your eyes open for dolphins and, from July to October, humpback whales.
-
Snorkel 1
First reef
Coco Pequeño
Into the water: coral, reef fish and, with a little luck, your first sea turtle of the day.
-
Snorkel 2
Second reef
Coco Grande
A new reef with new residents. Look for whitetip reef sharks, rays and moray eels.
-
Snorkel 3
Third reef
Isla Tortuga
Schools of fish, pufferfish and maybe an octopus. Your guide knows where to look.
-
Lunch
Lunch on Coiba Island
Isla Coiba
Lunch and a visit to the national park's visitor center. You may meet white-faced capuchin monkeys and iguanas.
-
Afternoon
Beach time
Isla Ranchería
Free time on a white-sand beach to swim, rest in the shade or take photos.
-
About 3:50 PM
Back on the mainland
Santa Catalina
Return to Santa Catalina in the afternoon.
Snorkel sites can change with the weather and park rules. Safety always comes first.
What the day includes
Included
- Boat ride with a certified captain
- Bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Life jackets
- Lunch and drinks, with vegetarian or vegan options
- Fresh fruit
Not included
| Foreign visitors | $20 |
|---|---|
| Panamanians | $10 |
| Children 12 and under | Free |
Paid separately on the day, per person.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeve shirt or rash guard
- Reusable water bottle
- Water shoes or flip-flops
- A dry change of clothes
- Waterproof bag for your phone
- Seasickness tablets, if you need them
- A light rain jacket from May to November
- Cash for the park entrance
- A photo of your passport or ID (leave the original at your hotel)
What you can see in Coiba
Coiba National Park is home to 760 species of marine fish, 33 species of sharks and 20 species of whales and dolphins. These photos are from our tours. Animals come and go, so every day is different.
When to go
Coiba is open all year. Each season has something different.
Dry season December to April
Sunny days and the busiest months. Book a few days ahead.
Green season May to November
Short afternoon showers, lush forest and fewer visitors.
Humpback whales July to October
Whales arrive to mate and give birth. August and September are usually the best months.
Plan your trip to Coiba
Prices, whether the trip is worth it, the island's history and more, from our local guides.
How much does a Coiba Island tour cost? Prices for 2026
Shared and private tours, the park entrance fee and example budgets for couples, families and groups.
Is Coiba worth it? An honest answer before you book
What the day costs, what you get, the downsides and who will love it.
The history of Coiba Island: from penal colony to national park
From prison island to UNESCO site: the penal colony, the park and the 2026 news.
Questions and answers
How do I book a tour?
Use the booking form or send us a WhatsApp message at +507 6888-7940 with the date, the tour and the number of people (and their nationality, for the park entrance). You can also write to info@coibaislandtours.com. Asking is free. In the dry season, from December to April, book a few days ahead.
What is included in the price?
The boat ride with a certified captain, a bilingual guide, mask, snorkel and fins, life jackets, lunch and drinks (vegetarian or vegan on request) and fresh fruit. The Coiba National Park entrance is not included.
How much is the Coiba National Park entrance?
$20 for foreign visitors and $10 for Panamanians, per person. Children 12 and under don't pay. It is paid separately on the day of the tour, so please bring cash.
Where and when do we meet?
At 8:00 AM in Santa Catalina. We send you the exact location of the meeting point on WhatsApp when you book. We are back on the mainland at about 3:50 PM.
I can't swim or I've never snorkeled. Can I come?
Yes. Everyone wears a life jacket, and your guide stays with you in the water and shows you how to use the gear. Tell us when you book so we can plan for it.
Can children come?
Yes, families are welcome. Everyone wears a life jacket and we have child-size masks, fins and vests, so tell us the children's ages when you book. Most kids from about 6 years old enjoy the day. With younger children, a private tour lets you go at your own pace. Children 12 and under don't pay the park entrance.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. If the sea or the weather isn't safe, we don't go out, and you choose a new date or get your deposit back.
What is your cancellation policy?
Asking for availability is free. To confirm your seats we ask for a deposit per person. If we cancel because of the sea or the weather, you choose a new date or get your deposit back. Deposits can't be refunded for other cancellations, but write to us as early as possible and we'll try to move your date.
How can I pay?
Asking is free. When we confirm your date, a deposit per person secures your seats (by PayPal or Wise). You pay the rest on the day of the tour in cash, by card, Yappy or Wise.
Ready to see Coiba?
Tell us your date and how many people are coming. We confirm availability and the price on WhatsApp.