Coiba National Park

Discover Coiba

Dive Into Paradise

Talk to the person who will take you.

We are not a booking platform. We are the team that will be with you on every tour. Book directly and coordinate everything with us from the very first message.

Personalized service with direct communication.

Your questions are answered by our team, not a bot or a call center. We are available on WhatsApp before, during, and after your experience.

Flexibility if plans change.

If you need to change the date or the weather doesn’t cooperate, we speak directly with you. No forms, no waiting times.

Best Price Guarantee.

Book directly with us and avoid intermediaries. The price you see is the real price, no commissions or hidden fees.

Snorkel Coiba – An Unforgettable Marine Experience

Discover the hidden treasures of Coiba National Park, one of the largest and most protected marine reserves in the world.

Join our guided snorkeling tours and explore crystal-clear waters filled with vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and playful dolphins.

Whether you’re a first-time snorkeler or an experienced explorer, our certified local guides ensure a safe, personal, and unforgettable adventure.

Why Choose Snorkel Coiba?

 

– Expert-led snorkeling tours
– Small groups for a more personal experience
– One of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet
– Eco-conscious & sustainable tourism
– Only 24 km offshore – an easy escape to paradise

 

About Coiba National Park

 

503 km² of protected marine beauty

The largest island in Panama

One of the world’s most important marine parks

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Explore Coiba Island With Us

Coiba Island

Price

65

$65

Per person + the entrance fee ($5 for Panamanians and $20 for foreigners).

Coco Pequeño Island

Coco Grande Island

Rancheria Island

Canales Island

Coiba Prison

Price

75

$80

Per person, depending on the group size, + the entrance fee ($5 for Panamanians and $20 for foreigners).

Trip to Coiba Prison

Coco Pequeño Island

Rancheria Island

Whale Watching

Price

65

$65

Per person, the cost of our tour (which is seasonal and runs from June to October) + the entrance fee ($5 for Panamanians and $20 for foreigners).

Whale watching 

Coco Grande Island

Rancheria Island

 

 

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Uninhabited Island In Panama

Coiba is the largest of the 38 islands that make up Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its rich biodiversity and pristine natural beauty, Coiba is a must-see destination for anyone interested in eco-tourism and conservation.

Whale Sharks
These huge animals are not dangerous to swim or dive. They have never attacked humans. The average length is between 18 and 32 feet (5.5-9.8 m)

Coiba’s forests are home to hundreds of animals and virgin coral reefs can be found beneath its beaches.

The coral reef surrounding the island is the second largest on the Pacific coast of America. 

Animals such as humpback whales, dolphins, whale sharks, hawksbill turtles, among others, have been documented. 

What services are included in your tour packages for a trip to Coiba Island?

Tour Guides
Our tour guides are professionals recognized by the Panamanian Tourist Authority (ATP). With valid certifications as both marines and tour guides, they bring expertise and passion to every adventure. One of our tour guides has passed the general tourist test.
Full Day Trip
We explore three stunning islands: Small Cocos Island, Big Cocos Island, and Turtles Island. Afterward, we visit the Coiba Island Visitor Center for lunch and a short hike. Our adventure wraps up at Rancheria Island, where you can relax on the beach and possibly spot a few crocodiles
Snorkel Gear
Our snorkels are designed for easy breathing and maximum comfort, while our fins provide excellent propulsion, allowing you to effortlessly glide through the water. We sanitize all snorkel gear daily to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and safety, so you can enjoy your trip.
Lifejackets
Your safety is our top priority. We provide high-quality, comfortable lifejackets for all our guests. Each lifejacket is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it meets safety standards. Whether you're snorkeling, swimming, or simply enjoying the boat ride.
Certified Crew
Our boats and crew meet all the necessary requirements to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Coiba Island. Each boat has a valid permit to operate in the area, and our captains hold certified qualifications to navigate the waters safely. Our tour guides are certified.
Lunch & Drinks
We provide Coca Cola and water. For lunch, enjoy a delicious pasta dish with tuna, corn, carrots, and olive oil. If you prefer, you can add mayonnaise, or we can prepare a vegetarian option without tuna. At the end of the trip, we offer refreshing fruit, such as watermelon or pineapple.

What do we need from you to book a reservation?

  • We need to know your nationality, age, and identification number (e.g. ID or passport number)
  • In order to ensure that we have the proper fit for your fins, could you let us know your shoe size?
  • Do you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet?
  • Is there anything you are allergic to that we should take into consideration?

Where is Coiba Island Located?

Where is Snorkel Coiba Located?

Google Reviews

Snorkel Coiba place picture
4.8
Based on 41 reviews
powered by Google
Lisa Kull profile picture
Lisa Kull
01:53 22 Jan 25
Milagros Bethancourth profile picture
Milagros Bethancourth
17:11 13 Jan 25
We went to Coiba as a family and we loved the place, it has many animals. Plus, the history of that place is fascinating, thanks to the tour guide. In the visitor center there is a place that has photos and explains the most important events that occurred while the prison was operating. We found the organization of the company impressive because they picked us up on time at the hostel and the snorkeling equipment they gave us was good.
Jon Alvarez profile picture
Jon Alvarez
19:26 03 Jan 25
We took the excursion to Coiba National Park with them, on January 1st, one of the few companies that left that day. A wonderful outing. We saw a large number of species of fish, turtles, dolphins, reef sharks... We even managed to see a crocodile or an alligator, I don't remember what it was since it was in salt water. Highly recommended to take the tour with them since they were very respectful of all the animals.
Lisa Mitchell profile picture
Lisa Mitchell
21:37 13 Dec 24
Excellent tour to Coiba Island with a good guide and service
Danielle Akradi profile picture
Danielle Akradi
12:49 18 May 24
Great tour company to choose amongst the many in Santa Catalina. Booking through WhatsApp with Andres was easy and they were always prompt. Excellent service.

The trip was amazing, saw the most beautiful sea life.. turtles, sharks, rays, eels, and tons of fish. Lunch was hearty. Boat captain knowledgeable and safe. I would highly recommend Snorkel Coiba.
Manuel Both profile picture
Manuel Both
11:10 13 May 24
It was an awesome trip. We saw sharks, dolphins, turtles, a sting ray and a lot of other things.

Our guide was very funny, very informative and supportive. He tried to show you alle the cool stuff and we would have missed a lot without him!

Highly recommended!

A brief information for jellyfish season would be great 😉
Larissa Presker profile picture
Larissa Presker
23:15 19 Jan 24
Andres (son of the owner) was our guide for the trip. He spoke perfect English and had a broad knowledge of panama, it's wildlife and Coiba Island. We snorkelled at 3 different spots and saw a lot of corals, fish, sharks and turtles. Lunch was pasta salad with or without tuna.
We had a great time!
Irene Hervas profile picture
Irene Hervas
22:14 07 Apr 23
My boyfriend and I went on a tour with Andres yesterday and absolutely loved it, our guide was Andres, he was very knowledgeable and knew how to deal with many different situations, by seeing him interact with other guides and guests I could tell he is probably very well respected on the guiding community as well as the most knowledgeable guide in the area.
By listening talk I got the feeling that he cares about the environment and conservation which to me is very important. I would highly recommend going on a tour with him since having someone that knows this much about the area is what makes the experience better.

Snorkel Coiba

 

Welcome to Snorkel Coiba, your premier tour operator in Coiba National Park! Our team of trained tour guides is dedicated to providing the best possible service to help you and your friends or family learn about the amazing flora and wildlife of Coiba Island. 

We are located in the province of Veraguas, in the town of Santa Catalina, and we can’t wait to show you everything this incredible region has to offer. So if you’re ready for an unforgettable adventure, come join us at Snorkel Coiba!

Contact Us

Thank you for considering Snorkel Coiba for your adventure in Coiba National Park! We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. 

 

You can reach us by telephone at +507 6888-7940, by email at info@snorkelcoiba.com, or by WhatsApp at the same number. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram under the handle @SnorkelCoiba. 

 

We look forward to helping you plan your trip and hope to see you soon!  

© 2020 Snorkel Coiba. All rights reserved.

Snorkel Coiba – Coiba National Park Tours
◆ UNESCO World Heritage Site · Coiba National Park

Dive Into Panama's Last
Wild Ocean

Snorkel with sharks, rays, sea turtles, and humpback whales in one of the world's most protected marine reserves. Small groups. Local guides. Unforgettable.

4.8★
Google rating
503 km²
Protected marine park
3 Tours
To choose from
Since 2020
Operating in Coiba
The coral reef surrounding Coiba is the second largest on the Pacific coast of America  ·  Home to humpback whales, whale sharks, dolphins, hawksbill turtles & more

Choose your adventure

All tours depart 8:00 am from Pinguinos Restaurant  ·  Return 3:45 pm  ·  Gear, lunch & guide included

80
Coiba Prison
History meets pristine Pacific reefs
From
$80
Per person, depending on group size + entrance fee ($5 Panamanians · $20 foreigners)

Stops included
  • Guided visit to Coiba Prison
  • Snorkeling at Coco Pequeño & Coco Grande
  • Stop at Rancheria Island
  • Visit to Coiba Island Visitor Center
Why book this? Uncover the dark history of Panama's most notorious prison — founded in 1919 — while snorkeling pristine Pacific reefs.
View full details →
65
◆ Seasonal · Jun – Oct
Whale Watching
One of nature's greatest spectacles
From
$65
Per person + entrance fee ($5 Panamanians · $20 foreigners)

Stops included
  • Humpback whale watching (Jun–Oct)
  • 2 snorkeling stops: Coco Grande & Coco Pequeño
  • Stop at Rancheria Island
  • Visit to Coiba Island Visitor Center
Why book this? Every year ~2,000 humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Panama's warm waters — an unforgettable sight.
View full details →

Park entrance fee can be paid through us or directly via the Ministry of Environment website.

What you might encounter

Coiba's waters are among the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. Every day is different.

🦈
Reef sharks
Year-round
🐢
Sea turtles
Hawksbill & more
🐬
Dolphins
Frequent sightings
🐋
Humpback whales
June – October
🦈
Whale sharks
January – March
🐊
American crocodile
Rancheria area
🐟
Tropical fish
Hundreds of species
🦅
Scarlet macaw
Forest canopy

Note: Whale sharks are best seen Jan–Mar · Humpback whales Jun–Oct · Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed but are very common.

Everything taken care of

No surprises. Just show up ready to explore.

Bilingual guide (EN/ES)
ATP-certified. Available in English & Spanish. We rotate guides to keep them fresh for you.
Certified captain & boat
All captains hold valid marine licenses from Panama's Maritime Authority (AMP).
Full day: 8:00 am – 3:45 pm
Meet at Pinguinos Restaurant at 8:00 am for a brief intro. Return to Santa Catalina by 3:45 pm.
Snorkel gear (daily sanitized)
Quality masks, fins & snorkels. All gear cleaned daily to the highest hygiene standards.
Lifejackets for all passengers
Regularly inspected, high-quality lifejackets provided for every passenger on every trip.
Lunch & drinks
Pasta with corn, carrot, seasoning & tuna — added at the Visitor Center. Vegetarian (no tuna) & vegan menus available. Please inform us in advance.
Fresh fruit at end of trip
Watermelon or pineapple served as a refreshing end to your day on the water.
GoPro HERO 11 rental (+$20)
Capture every moment underwater. Add a GoPro rental to your booking for just $20.

You're in expert hands

We are not a booking platform. We are the people who will actually be with you on the water — and we hire local guides because nobody knows Coiba like they do.

We are not from Santa Catalina, but we hire local guides because they carry knowledge no outsider can replicate. They know every reef, every current, and every wildlife spot in Coiba National Park. Having a local guide gives you authenticity and stories you simply won't hear with volunteers. All our guides hold a marine license issued by Panama's Maritime Authority (AMP), and one of our guides holds the official tourist guide card issued by Panama's Ministry of Tourism (ATP). We rotate guides regularly so they are never overworked — a rested guide is a better guide for you.

A
Andrés (Owner)
Owner & Lead Guide
ATP Tourist Guide Card Marine License (AMP) ES · EN Expert swimmer
Andrés has an unparalleled knowledge of Coiba's waters and marine ecosystem. He is an excellent swimmer and holds the official tourist guide card from Panama's ATP as well as his marine license. Speaks Spanish and English fluently.
A
Andrés Jr.
Guide & Guest Relations
Marine License (AMP) ES · EN · PT Expert swimmer Customer service
Trilingual (Spanish, English & Portuguese) with extensive knowledge of Coiba Island, strong customer service skills, and a marine license from the AMP. An excellent swimmer who ensures every passenger feels comfortable and safe.
Local guides
Certified & rotating team
Marine License (AMP) Local knowledge Bilingual options
All our local guides hold valid marine licenses from the AMP. We do our best to send a bilingual guide, but we rotate the team so no one gets overworked — your guide will always be energized and fully present for your adventure.

We protect what we share with you

Coiba is one of the most pristine marine environments on Earth. We take that responsibility seriously.

🚫
Zero single-use plastic
We use a large reusable yellow container for water on every trip — required by Panama's Ministry of Environment. We buy bottled water and transfer it to our reusable container before heading to Coiba.
🪸
Reef-safe behavior
Do not touch marine species or coral. Do not swim too close to the reef. Granito de Oro was closed years ago because of coral damage — we are committed to making sure this never happens again.
🗑️
Leave no trace
Never leave trash on Coiba Island. If you see trash, bring it to the boat — we will take care of it. The island stays clean because everyone on it takes responsibility.
📋
Full regulatory compliance
We follow all regulations of Coiba UNESCO National Park and Panama's Ministry of Environment without exception. Protecting the park protects the experience for every visitor who comes after you.
👥
Small groups only
We keep our groups small intentionally — better for the environment and better for you. Fewer people means more wildlife, more personal attention, and a deeper connection with the ocean.
☀️
Reef-safe sunscreen
We ask all our passengers to use reef-safe sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens damage coral reefs. Please help us protect what makes Coiba special.

Your full day at Coiba

Here's what a typical tour day looks like from start to finish.

1
8:00 am — Meet at Pinguinos Restaurant
We meet all passengers at Pinguinos Restaurant in Santa Catalina. Your guide gives a brief introduction to the day, safety instructions, and hands out snorkel gear.
2
Morning — Snorkeling stops
We explore 3 snorkeling spots: Coco Pequeño Island, Coco Grande Island, and Turtle Island (or an alternative if currents require it). Look out for reef sharks, rays, turtles, and colorful fish.
3
Midday — Coiba Island Visitor Center
Lunch is served at the Visitor Center: pasta with corn, carrot, seasoning & tuna (vegetarian and vegan options available — please inform us in advance). A short walk through the island is also possible here.
4
Afternoon — Rancheria Island
Relax on the beach at Rancheria Island. Keep an eye out — American crocodiles have been spotted in this area. Fresh fruit (watermelon or pineapple) is served as a refreshing end to your day.
5
3:45 pm — Return to Santa Catalina
We return to the mainland at approximately 3:45 pm. End of an unforgettable day at Coiba National Park.

What our passengers say

4.8
★★★★★
Based on 41 Google reviews
★★★★★
"We saw sharks, dolphins, turtles, a stingray and a lot of other things. Our guide was very funny, very informative and supportive. Highly recommended!"
Manuel B.  ·  May 2024
★★★★★
"Andres spoke perfect English and had a broad knowledge of Panama's wildlife and Coiba Island. We snorkelled at 3 different spots and saw corals, fish, sharks and turtles."
Larissa P.  ·  Jan 2024
★★★★★
"Booking through WhatsApp was easy and they were always prompt. Excellent service. A great tour company to choose amongst the many in Santa Catalina."
Danielle A.  ·  May 2024
★★★★★
"We went as a family and loved the place. So many animals and the history of the prison is fascinating. The organization was impressive — they picked us up on time."
Milagros B.  ·  Jan 2025
★★★★★
"Andres cares about the environment and conservation which is very important to me. I would highly recommend going on a tour with him — the most knowledgeable guide in the area."
Irene H.  ·  Apr 2023
★★★★★
"A wonderful outing on January 1st — one of the few companies that left that day. We saw turtles, dolphins, reef sharks and even a crocodile. Highly recommended."
Jon A.  ·  Jan 2025

Book your Coiba adventure

Fill in the form below and we'll confirm your booking via WhatsApp or email within 24 hours. The more details you give us, the smoother your day will be.

Booking request
All fields marked * are required. We need this info to prepare your snorkel gear, notify the park, and make sure everyone eats well.
Passenger details
We will confirm within 24 hours via WhatsApp or email.  ·  Questions? Chat with us at +507 6888-7940

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before booking.

What time do tours start and end?
All tours meet at 8:00 am at Pinguinos Restaurant in Santa Catalina. We return to the mainland at approximately 3:45 pm.
How do I pay the park entrance fee?
The entrance fee to Coiba National Park can be paid through us ($5 for Panamanians, $20 for foreigners) or independently via the Ministry of Environment's official website. Let us know your preference when you book.
Can I see whale sharks?
Whale sharks are best spotted between January and March. They are gentle giants and pose no danger to humans. Humpback whales, on the other hand, are seen between June and October during their annual migration from Antarctica.
What should I bring?
Please bring: a copy of your passport or ID (do not bring the original), a long-sleeve shirt for sun protection, reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, flip-flops, and a towel. All snorkeling gear is provided.
Do you cater to vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. Lunch is pasta with corn, carrot, seasoning and tuna. For vegetarians, tuna is omitted. We also have a separate vegan menu. Please inform us of your diet when you book so we can prepare accordingly.
Are the guides certified?
All our guides hold a valid marine license issued by Panama's Maritime Authority (AMP). Additionally, one of our guides holds the official tourist guide card issued by Panama's Ministry of Tourism (ATP). All guides are experienced swimmers with deep knowledge of Coiba's waters.
Can I reschedule if plans change?
Yes. Because you book directly with us — not through a platform — we can speak with you directly about rescheduling. No forms, no waiting. Just message us on WhatsApp.
Can I rent a GoPro?
Yes! We offer GoPro HERO 11 rentals for $20 per day. Add it to your booking form or mention it when you contact us.

Ready to explore Coiba?

Book directly with the team that will be with you on the water. No intermediaries. No hidden fees. Real people, real adventure.