Frequently asked questions

All tours depart by boat from Santa Catalina, in Veraguas. You can reach Santa Catalina from Panama City by a 45-minute charter flight, a 5–7 hour drive, or a 7–9 hour bus. See our Getting Here page for full details.

Coiba is great year-round. The dry season (December–April) brings calm seas, great visibility and whale sharks. The green season (June–November) brings humpback whales (July–October) and fewer crowds. It depends on what you want to see.

Every tour includes a certified local guide, all snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins), life vests, a reliable boat and lunch on the island. The park entrance fee is paid separately on arrival.

The Coiba National Park entrance fee is $20 per person for foreign visitors and $5 for Panamanian residents, paid in cash on arrival. It's separate from the tour price and goes toward protecting the park. Children 12 and under enter the park free — just tell us their ages when you book.

Your passport or ID (required for park entry), cash for the entrance fee, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel, a swimsuit, water shoes and a dry change of clothes. We provide all the snorkel gear and lunch.

You don't need to be a strong swimmer. Everyone wears a life vest, our guides stay close, and we adapt to every comfort level. If you're nervous in the water, just let us know and we'll take extra care of you.

Yes! Coiba is a wonderful family experience. Let us know the ages of the children when you book so we can bring the right gear and plan a comfortable day for everyone. We carry child-size masks, fins and life vests (vests are worn by everyone, always), our guides choose the calmest, shallowest reefs for family groups, and children 12 and under don't pay the park entrance fee. Most kids from about 6 years old have an amazing day; for younger children we recommend a private tour so the day runs at your family's pace.

No payment is needed to check availability. Once we confirm your date, a deposit per person secures your seats on the boat — we send you the amount and the payment link (PayPal or Wise) with the confirmation. The balance is paid on tour day by Wise, credit card, Yappy or cash; PayPal is for the deposit only. The deposit is refunded only if we suspend the tour for dangerous weather — cancellations for any other reason are non-refundable. Send us your date and group size by WhatsApp or email and we'll reply with availability and the total for your trip.

Yes — we rent a waterproof GoPro HERO 11 for $30 per day so you can capture every turtle, ray and reef. Just add it when you book or ask us in chat. We also sell Snorkel Coiba t-shirts.

The group tour is $70 per person. The park entrance is added to that: $20 per foreign visitor and $5 per Panamanian or resident; children 12 and under don't pay it. Send us your date and group size by WhatsApp or email and we'll reply with availability and the total for your trip. To confirm, a deposit per person secures your seats on the boat.