Aerial view of Coiba National Park, Panama
UNESCO World Heritage · Veraguas, Panama

Coiba
National Park

Forbidden for almost a century, untouched ever since. Snorkel one of the richest marine reserves on Earth with the local team that takes you out — never a middleman.

UNESCO Site·From $65 · direct booking·★★★★★Local team
24 km
Offshore
503 km²
Protected
760
Fish species
2005
UNESCO listed
★★★★★4.7/5from 150+ Google reviews
Book direct with the local team
Gear, life vests & lunch included

🐋 Whale season is here! July – October. Humpbacks are migrating through Coiba right now — peak sightings in August & September.

Book whale watching
Why book direct

Talk to the person who will take you.

We're not a booking platform — we're the team that's with you on every tour. Book directly and coordinate everything with us from the very first message.

Real people, direct line

Your questions are answered by our team — not a bot or call center. We're on WhatsApp before, during and after your tour.

Flexible if plans change

Need to move a date, or the weather won't cooperate? We talk it through with you directly. No forms, no waiting.

Best price, guaranteed

Book directly and skip the intermediaries. The price you see is the real price — no commissions, no hidden fees.

Choose your adventure

Three ways to experience Coiba

Every tour departs from Santa Catalina with gear, life vests, a local guide and lunch included.

Snorkeling tour in Coiba National Park, PanamaYear-round

Coiba Island Tour

Three snorkel stops at Coco Pequeño, Coco Grande and Islas Canales, plus a visit to Ranchería Island and the Coiba visitor center. Turtles, reef sharks and tropical fish.

from$65/ person+ park entry: $20 foreigners · $5 Panamanians · 12 and under free
View tour
Humpback whale fluke off Coiba National Park, PanamaJul – Oct only

Whale Watching

Be on the boat when humpback whales pass (July–October), then snorkel pristine reefs. Private boat — no park fee.

from$650/ boat✓ no park fees included
View tour
Tropical fish over the reef in Coiba National ParkYear-round

Private Tour

Your own boat, your own route — Coiba private from $450. Custom days for families, groups and photographers.

from$450/ boat+ park entry per person: $20 foreigners · $5 Panamanians · 12 and under free
View tour
An unforgettable marine experience

Crystal water, wild reefs, and the people who know it best.

Discover the hidden treasures of Coiba National Park, one of the largest and most protected marine reserves in the world: vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and playful dolphins.

Whether it's your first time snorkeling or your hundredth, our certified local guides keep it safe, personal and unforgettable.

  • Expert-led tours with certified local guides
  • Small groups for a more personal experience
  • One of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet
  • Eco-conscious, sustainable tourism
Freediver over Coiba's reef
Reserve your spot

Build your Coiba trip

Four quick steps. We receive it instantly by email and WhatsApp, and confirm your date right away.

Direct booking — no commissionsFast replies on WhatsAppCertified local guides

Booking request

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Pick your tour
Choose an experience, your date and how many people are coming.
Coiba Island Tour
$65
per person · year-round
Whale Watching
$650
per boat · Jul–Oct
Private · Coiba
$450
private boat · from
Your contact details
So we know who's coming and how to reach you.
Lead traveler — contact person
This sets the correct park entrance fee ($20 foreigners / $5 Panamanians). Under-12s: free.
👧 Children 12 and under don't pay the Coiba park entrance fee — we deduct it automatically from the ages you enter.
Other travelers & preferences
Add each traveler's details — required for park entry and to prep the right fins and gear.
Review your request
Here's your estimate. Add a GoPro if you'd like, then send it.
✓ Request sent! We'll also confirm by WhatsApp. Check that the WhatsApp tab opened.
GoPro HERO 11
Add a GoPro HERO 11Capture your adventure — $25 per camera
Snorkel Coiba t-shirt
Add a Snorkel Coiba t-shirtSoft black tee — $30 each
Rash guard
Add a rash guardUV sun protection — $40 each
Panama Shuttles
Transport to Santa CatalinaShared shuttle to Santa Catalina from across Panama, via our partner Panama Shuttles.
Estimated total
$0final price confirmed on WhatsApp
How would you like to send your booking?
Choose one — you don't need to send both. We'll reply with availability and how to confirm.
Payment (optional, after confirming)

Please confirm your booking with us first (by email or WhatsApp above). Once we confirm your date and availability, you can pay online with any of these.

WPay with Wise PPay with PayPal
Y
Yappy (Panama only)
69074119

No payment now. Your request goes to our team by email and opens WhatsApp so we can confirm availability and price right away.

Field notes · Coiba 09°N 81°W

The island that was forbidden — and how that saved it.

For 85 years Coiba was a penal colony. The fear that kept people away also kept it untouched — leaving the largest undeveloped rainforest in the Americas and reefs that rival the Galápagos. Today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often called the "Baby Galápagos."

Read the full story
Coiba — logbook
Penal colony1919–2004
National park since1991
UNESCO listed2005
Largest island inCentral America
Fish species recorded760+
Rainforest untouched~80%
Real photos from our tours

Moments from the water

Snorkeler over the reef beside a sea turtle, Coiba
A snorkeler glides over the reef beside a sea turtle
A whale shark cruising past in Coiba National Park
A whale shark cruises past — seasonal
Moorish idol and reef fish over the coral
Moorish idol and reef fish over the coral
A whitetip reef shark on the bottom
A whitetip reef shark patrols the bottom
A hawksbill turtle gliding over the reef
A hawksbill turtle gliding over the reef
Wild dolphins on the way out to Coiba
Wild dolphins on the way out to Coiba
What our guests say

Stories from the boat

Rated 4.7 ★ from 150+ real Google reviews — here's what travelers say after exploring Coiba with us.

★★★★★

“Ricky was a fantastic, knowledgeable guide. At the first spot he showed us a whitetip reef shark hiding and a giant lobster, and at the next we saw four turtles. The beach was stunning — 100% recommended!”

Google review · Coiba Island Tour
★★★★★

“Our captain Lenny spotted dolphins, a ray and even humpback whales on the way to Coiba. Juan, our guide, kept a great mood and made sure everyone saw the fish, turtles and reef sharks. Highly recommend!”

Google review · Whale season
★★★★★

“Andres and his staff were fantastic — fast, easy, accurate communication and equipment in great shape. Our guide José made sure we felt safe and saw everything possible. They clearly care about the wildlife.”

Google review · Snorkel Coiba
Add-ons & merch

Take a little Coiba home

Snorkel Coiba black t-shirt with manta-ray logo

Snorkel Coiba t-shirt

Our signature black tee, featuring the Snorkel Coiba manta-ray logo. Premium, durable cotton and a timeless design — the perfect way to remember your Coiba adventure.

$25 each
Snorkel Coiba rash guard (licra) with logo — UV protection

Snorkel Coiba rash guard

UV-protection rash guard with the Snorkel Coiba logo. Keeps you cool, blocks the sun and adds a layer against jellyfish — perfect for long days in the water.

$40
GoPro HERO 11

Rent a GoPro HERO 11

Don't let the best moments swim away. Rent a waterproof GoPro HERO 11 and capture every turtle, ray and reef.

$25 / day
From the blog

Read before you dive in

Blog articles are currently in English.

All articles
Find us

Where it all happens

We're based in Santa Catalina, Veraguas — the gateway town to Coiba National Park.

Coiba National Park

24 km offshore · reached only by boat from Santa Catalina

Snorkel Coiba — Santa Catalina

Our office on the main street, where every tour begins

📍 7.6373° N, 81.2553° W Get directions Open in Google Maps

Meeting point: Restaurante Pingüinos in Santa Catalina at 8:00 AM. (Our office is on Calle del Sendero.) Please arrive a few minutes early.

Before you book

Questions travelers ask us

Everything international visitors want to know before a day in Coiba.

No. Everyone wears a life vest, our guides stay close in the water, and we adapt to every comfort level — non-swimmers snorkel with us happily.
Yes. We host visitors from all over the world and communicate in English and Spanish — message us anytime on WhatsApp and we'll guide you through every detail.
From Panama City it's about a 5–7 hour drive, a 7–9 hour bus, or a short charter flight, then a boat ride out to Coiba. Tell us where you're coming from and we'll help you plan the easiest route.
Every tour includes a certified local guide, snorkel gear, life vests, a reliable boat and lunch. Only the park fee is paid separately on arrival: $20 for foreign visitors, $5 for Panamanians. Children 12 and under enter the park free.
There's no payment to request a booking — we confirm availability and price by WhatsApp. If your plans or the weather change, we'll reschedule with you directly.
Absolutely. We use life vests for all ages, certified guides and calm, shallow reefs — it's a favorite for families and first-time snorkelers. Just tell us the children's ages when you book. Kids 12 and under also enter the park free.
See all FAQs