Policies & conditions

Clear rules, no fine print — the same honesty we put in our blog, applied to your booking.

Weather & sea conditions

We monitor the sea and forecast every day. Afternoon rain is normal in green season (May–November) and does not cancel tours by itself; mornings are usually calm, which is why the day starts at 8:00 am. If the weather is dangerous for your tour date, we do not go to Coiba — passenger safety comes first. In that case we contact you in advance on WhatsApp and you choose: move your tour to another day at no cost, or receive a full refund of your deposit. This is the only case in which the deposit is refunded — cancellations for any other reason are non-refundable. Safety decisions are made by our certified captains and are final.

Booking, deposit & payment

Tours are booked via WhatsApp (+507 6888-7940) or our contact form. A deposit of $10.70 per person (includes 7% ITBMS) holds your spot on the boat and is paid via PayPal or Wise; the balance — tour price plus 7% ITBMS, minus your deposit — can be paid by Wise, credit card, Yappy or cash on tour day. PayPal is for the deposit only — the balance cannot be paid via PayPal. The park entrance fee ($20 foreigners / $5 Panamanians, children 12 and under free) is paid separately in cash, plus 7% ITBMS. Cancellation policy: the deposit is non-refundable. It is returned only if we suspend the tour for dangerous weather. If you cancel for any other reason, or don't show up, the deposit is not returned — your spot on the boat was held for you.

Before your trip — good to know

Bring cash for the park entrance fee, a photo of your passport on your phone (leave the original at your accommodation), reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, dry clothes for the ride home and a hat. If you tend to get seasick, take your usual remedy 30 minutes before departure — the morning crossing is usually gentle. Please arrive at Restaurante Pingüinos about 10 minutes before 8:00 am so we can fit your gear calmly. Want underwater photos? You can rent a GoPro from us for $30/day — just mention it when booking.

General terms

Tours operate inside Coiba National Park and follow park regulations at all times. Life vests are provided and mandatory in the water. Guests must follow guide and captain instructions, especially regarding wildlife distances and reef protection (no touching or standing on coral). Itineraries, islands and times may change due to sea conditions or park instructions — the safety and quality calls of our crew take priority. Snorkel Coiba is a local operation from Santa Catalina, Veraguas, Panama, recognized by the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP).