Aerial view of a palm-lined white-sand beach and clear water in Coiba National Park, Panama

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.

Book your tour

$75 per person

Estimated total $190

$150 tour + $40 park entrance

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or send it by email

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.

  • Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before your tour.
  • 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.

A white-sand beach with boats and a small island in Coiba National Park

From $550 per boat

Private tour

Your own boat, captain and guide. You choose the pace and the stops.

  • 1 to 10 people
  • Flexible plan
The tail of a humpback whale above the sea in Panama

From $75 per person

Whale watching

Humpback whales in the Gulf of Chiriquí, from July to October.

  • July to October
  • Shared or private
Rusted gate and stone wall of the old penal colony on Coiba Island

$80 per person

Coiba Prison tour

The ruins of the penal colony (1919–2004), plus snorkeling and the beach.

  • 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

    Two dolphins jumping beside the boat's wake on the way to Coiba
  3. Snorkel 1

    First reef

    Coco Pequeño

    Into the water: coral, reef fish and, with a little luck, your first sea turtle of the day.

    A sea turtle swimming over a reef in clear water in Coiba National Park
  4. Snorkel 2

    Second reef

    Coco Grande

    A new reef with new residents. Look for whitetip reef sharks, rays and moray eels.

    Two whitetip reef sharks swimming over sand next to coral in Coiba
  5. Snorkel 3

    Third reef

    Isla Tortuga

    Schools of fish, pufferfish and maybe an octopus. Your guide knows where to look.

    A school of fish and a sea turtle above a reef in Coiba National Park
  6. 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.

    White-faced capuchin monkeys on a wooden footbridge on Coiba Island
  7. Afternoon

    Beach time

    Isla Ranchería

    Free time on a white-sand beach to swim, rest in the shade or take photos.

    Visitors in the shallow turquoise water of a white-sand beach in Coiba National Park
  8. 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

Coiba National Park entrance
Foreign visitors$20
Panamanians$10

Paid separately on the day, per person.

What to bring

  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeve shirt for the sun
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Flip-flops
  • Waterproof bag for your phone
  • Cash for the park entrance
  • A photo of your passport or ID. Please 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. Wildlife is wild, 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, how to get there, the best time to go and what you'll see underwater, from our local guides.

All travel guides

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. 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. 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. Life jackets are included 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.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Safety is our priority. If sea or weather conditions are not safe, we reschedule your tour.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour. To change your date, send us a WhatsApp message at +507 6888-7940.

How can I pay?

We accept cash, bank transfers and online payments by credit card or PayPal. Ask us for the details when you book.

What information do you need from me?

For the park registration: full name, nationality, age and passport or ID number of each person. We also ask for shoe sizes (for the fins), vegetarian or vegan meals and allergies.

Ready to see Coiba?

Tell us your date and how many people are coming. We confirm availability and the price on WhatsApp.

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