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.
Coiba Island Tour
- Full day, 8:00 AM to about 3:50 PM
- 3 snorkel stops
- Lunch included
- English and Spanish
A full day in Coiba National Park from Santa Catalina: three snorkel stops, lunch on Coiba Island and an afternoon on the beach at Isla Ranchería.
About this tour
Coiba Island and the 38 smaller islands around it are protected as Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Coiba was a penal colony for most of the 20th century, and that isolation kept its forests and reefs remarkably wild.
On this shared tour you join other travelers on our boat with a captain and a bilingual guide. You snorkel three different reefs, have lunch on Coiba Island and finish with free time on the white-sand beach of Isla Ranchería.
Highlights
- Snorkel with sea turtles, whitetip reef sharks and schools of fish
- Lunch on Coiba Island and a visit to the national park's visitor center
- Free time on the white-sand beach of Isla Ranchería
- Dolphins on the way and, from July to October, humpback whales
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.
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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 the park
Gulf of Chiriquí
About an hour by boat. Keep your eyes open for dolphins and, from July to October, humpback whales.
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Snorkel 1
First reef
Coco Pequeño
Into the water: coral, reef fish and, with a little luck, your first sea turtle of the day.
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Snorkel 2
Second reef
Coco Grande
A new reef with new residents. Look for whitetip reef sharks, rays and moray eels.
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Snorkel 3
Third reef
Isla Tortuga
Schools of fish, pufferfish and maybe an octopus. Your guide knows where to look.
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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.
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Afternoon
Beach time
Isla Ranchería
Free time on a white-sand beach to swim, rest in the shade or take photos.
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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 |
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 we need to book you
To register your group with the national park, send us for each person: full name, nationality, age and passport or ID number. Please also tell us 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
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.
Can children come?
Yes, families are welcome. Tell us the children's ages when you book. If you prefer your own pace, a private tour is a good option.
Plan your trip
All travel guidesSnorkeling in Coiba National Park: what you'll see
Sea turtles, reef sharks and schools of fish: what you'll see underwater and tips for first-timers.
How to get to Coiba Island from Panama City
By car, bus or shuttle from Panama City to Santa Catalina, and the boat ride to the national park.
Other tours
Ready to see Coiba?
Tell us your date and how many people are coming. We confirm availability and the price on WhatsApp.