Coiba - A UNESCO World heritage site

The Park

Coiba National Park is considered by many to be one of the ten top diving spots in the world and is home to the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific. The best diving "to be found along the Pacific Coast from Columbia to Mexico," according to Lonely Planet. The island's abundant marine and terrestrial flora is a delight to nature lovers. Scarlet macaws nest here and humpback whales are frequently seen in these clear, bright waters.  

The park, off the southwest coast of Panama, protects Coiba Island, 38 smaller islands and the surrounding marine areas within the Gulf of Chiriqui. Protected from the cold winds and effects of El Niño, Coiba’s Pacific Tropical Moist Forest maintains exceptionally high levels of endemism of mammals, birds and plants due to the ongoing evolution of new species. The property is an outstanding natural laboratory for scientific research and provides a key ecological link to the Tropical Eastern Pacific for the transit and survival of pelagic fish and marine mammals.

Coiba National Park is not well known so you can still have the chance to be one of the pioneers and see why Coiba is Central America’s best kept diving secret.


Marine Life

Sea Turtle at Coiba National Park

Wow, where do we start?

Depending on the time of year you will have the opportunity to dive with some of nature’s most majestic creatures like whale sharks, giant mantas and humpback whales. White Tip Reef Sharks join you on just about every dive.

At times the fish population is so abundant you actually have to take care not to bump into them. You'll see hundreds of tropical ornamental fish species involved in a pleasant type of rush-hour (minus the swearing and hand gestures, of course) along with colorful hard and soft corals. Often on the edge of deep waters you'll find the big guys, the head honchos of the sea: White Tip Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, Huge Yellowfin Tuna, Bull Sharks, Enormous Marlin and Sailfish, Giant Turtles, Tiger Sharks, Pilot Whales, Oceanic White Tip Sharks, Giant Mantas, and everything in between. When we see an abundance of cleaner fish, it's almost a guarantee that something big will appear.

Special Guest Stars

There are certain times of the year that bring in our "Special Guest Stars." From July to October, the Humpback Whales calve their young here and it would be unusual not to see one breaching the surface somewhere. From December to April, the Whale Sharks are wading through Coiba’s waters. January through April, the Mobula Manta´s school in the hundreds and often you can see them flying up to three meters out of the sea.

Over the years the Whale Sharks have seemed to enjoy spending Christmas, New Years and most of the "winter" in and around Coiba National Park. There have been numerous sightings during the other months also. Come see us and you will know why this is something that should not be missed.﻿


-H.P. Lovecraft

Coiba Dive Center S.A.
PADI S23988
Calle Principal (Main Street)
Santa Catalina , Veraguas

ph: (507) 6774-0808
alt: (507) 6780-1141

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