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.
Private tour to Isla Cebaco
- Full day from Santa Catalina
- 1 to 10 people
- No park entrance fee
- English and Spanish
Photo: EinfachFrankfurt1955, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Your own boat, captain and guide for the whole day to Isla Cebaco, Panama's third-largest island: quiet beaches, clear water for snorkeling and, in the rainy season, a waterfall that falls into the sea.
Prices per boat
| Group size | Price per boat |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 people | $400 |
| 5 to 6 people | $450 |
| 7 to 10 people | $500 |
Prices are per boat, not per person. There is no national park entrance fee: Isla Cebaco is outside Coiba National Park.
Isla Cebaco, just for your group
Isla Cebaco sits at the entrance of the Gulf of Montijo and is a shorter boat ride from Santa Catalina than Coiba. It is outside Coiba National Park, so there is no park entrance fee: you only pay for the boat.
The day's stops
- Isla Restingue (Tintorera): a quiet beach to walk, swim and relax
- Playa Caleta: clear, turquoise water for snorkeling
- In the rainy season, a waterfall that falls into the sea, with fresh water to swim in
How the day goes
A typical day on the Isla Cebaco tour. Each morning the captain and guide choose the order of the stops according to the weather, the tide and the current.
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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.
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On the way
Boat ride to Isla Cebaco
Gulf of Montijo
A shorter ride than to Coiba. From July to October, keep your eyes open for humpback whales.
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Beach
Isla Restingue
Tintorera
A quiet beach to walk, swim and relax.
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Snorkel
Playa Caleta
Isla Cebaco
Clear, turquoise water and the main snorkel stop of the day.
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Rainy season
Waterfall into the sea
Isla Cebaco
When there is enough rain, a waterfall falls straight into the sea, with fresh water to swim in.
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Lunch
Lunch
Isla Cebaco
Lunch and drinks, with vegetarian or vegan options.
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About 3:45 PM
Back on the mainland
Santa Catalina
Return to Santa Catalina at about 3:45 PM.
Stops can change with the weather, the tide and the current. 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
Park entrance
No park entrance fee. Isla Cebaco is outside Coiba National Park.
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
- A photo of your passport or ID (leave the original at your hotel)
What we need to book you
When you book, tell us how many people are coming and their ages, shoe sizes (for the fins), vegetarian or vegan meals and any allergies.
Meeting point. In Santa Catalina at 8:00 AM. We send you the exact location on WhatsApp when you book.
Questions and answers
Do we pay the Coiba National Park entrance?
No. Isla Cebaco is outside Coiba National Park, so there is no park entrance fee. You only pay for the boat: $400 for 1 to 4 people, $450 for 5 to 6 and $500 for 7 to 10.
What time do we leave and come back?
We meet at 8:00 AM in Santa Catalina, the same time as our Coiba tours. We send you the exact location on WhatsApp when you book, and we are back in Santa Catalina at about 3:45 PM.
Is the waterfall there all year?
No, only in the rainy season, when there is enough water. The rest of the year the day is all about the beaches and snorkeling.
Can the stops change?
Yes. The captain and guide choose the stops and their order each day according to the weather, the tide and the current. Safety always comes first.
Will we see whales?
From July to October humpback whales visit the Gulf of Montijo, so keep an eye on the water during the boat ride. Sightings are never guaranteed.
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. You can also write to info@coibaislandtours.com. Asking is free. In the dry season, from December to April, book a few days ahead.
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.
I get seasick. Can I still go?
Yes. Take your usual remedy 30 to 60 minutes before the boat leaves, sit toward the back of the boat and look at the horizon. The sea is usually calmest in the dry season, from December to April. Tell your guide if you feel unwell.
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.
Plan your trip
All travel guides
Is Coiba worth it? An honest answer before you book
What the day costs, what you get, the downsides and who will love it.
Things to do in Santa Catalina, Panama
Coiba, whales, surf at Playa Estero and La Punta, Isla Catalina and the best sunset spot.
Other tours
Ready for Isla Cebaco?
Tell us your date and how many people are coming. We confirm availability and the price on WhatsApp.