Snorkeling tour in Coiba National Park, Panama
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Day tour · Snorkeling

Coiba Island Tour

Our signature day trip: 3 snorkel stops on three different islands, the visitor center and Isla Ranchería — turtles, rays and 760 species of fish in the heart of the national park.

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Sea turtle on a coral reef in Coiba Island, Panama
Coral reef snorkeling near Santa Catalina, Panama
Tropical fish over the reef in Coiba National Park

A full day in the heart of Coiba

This is the classic Coiba experience. We leave Santa Catalina by boat and snorkel at three different islands inside the park — crystal-clear water teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles and rays — then visit the Coiba visitor center and finish at the beach on Isla Ranchería.

Our certified local guides know exactly where the wildlife gathers and keep every group small, safe and unhurried. All snorkel gear, life vests and lunch are included — just bring your ID and reef-safe sunscreen.

What you'll snorkel

  • Snorkel · Coco Pequeño
  • Snorkel · Coco Grande
  • Snorkel · Islas Canales
  • Stop · Ranchería Island & Coiba visitor center

What's included

Local expert guides

Trained guides who know every reef, current and hidden cove.

Full day on the water

Early departure, return between 3:45 and 4:00 pm. No rushing the magic.

Snorkel gear

Mask, snorkel and fins sized to fit — just tell us your shoe size.

Life vests

Safety first. Comfortable vests for swimmers of every level.

Safe & reliable boat

Well-maintained vessels and a crew you can trust completely.

Lunch included

A proper meal on the island — vegetarian and vegan on request.

from
$70
/ person
DurationFull day
Departs fromSanta Catalina
Park fee$20 foreigners / $5 Panamanians and residents · 12 and under free
Group sizeSmall groups
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Ready to explore Coiba Island?

Send us your dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and answer any questions right away.

Check availability Chat on WhatsApp

⚡ Reply in under 1 hour · Deposit per person via PayPal or Wise · Free date change or full refund if weather cancels

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Traveling with kids?

Coiba is a favorite family day out. We bring child-size masks, fins and life vests, pick the calmest shallow reefs, and children 12 and under enter the park free — though the $70 boat fare still applies to all ages. Just tell us the kids' ages when you book.

Everything about the Coiba day tour

A full day inside Coiba National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage marine reserve — with a crew that knows this coast inside out. Small groups, three reefs, and no rushing.

Your day, hour by hour

  1. 8:00 am
    Meet at Restaurante PingüinosIn Santa Catalina. We fit your mask, fins and vest, and run a short briefing.
  2. 8:30 am
    Casting offAbout 1.5 hours across the Gulf of Chiriquí. Dolphins often escort the boat; in season, whales too.
  3. 10:00 am
    First snorkel — Isla CocoCalm, shallow water to get comfortable. Turtles and huge schools of fish from the very first stop.
  4. 10:45 am
    Second snorkelA different reef: white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays and living coral.
  5. 11:50 am
    Visitor center — lunch, trail & historyLunch at the park station, a short trail, and the little museum that tells Coiba's prison-to-paradise story.
  6. 1:10 pm
    Third snorkel + Isla RancheríaThe last reef of the day, then beach time on light sand with calm water.
  7. 3:45–4:00 pm
    Back in Santa CatalinaReturn time depends on sea conditions — safety always comes first.

What's included

Not included: the Coiba National Park entrance fee — $20 for foreigners, $5 for Panamanians and residents, cash. Children 12 and under enter free.

You don't need to know how to swim: the vest keeps you floating and the guide stays in the water with the group the whole time.

Quick questions travelers ask us

Is it safe for non-swimmers and kids?

Yes. Life vests are mandatory and provided, the water at our sites is calm, and children 12 and under don't pay the park entrance. Families are a big part of our groups.

What wildlife will I actually see?

On a typical day: sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks (harmless), eagle rays, huge schools of tropical fish. Seasonally: humpback whales (Jul–Oct) and, with luck, dolphins on almost every crossing.

What if the weather looks bad?

We monitor the sea daily. If conditions aren't safe we contact you on WhatsApp in advance and reschedule or find the best solution together — we never go out when the sea says no.

What it costs

Simple prices, per person or per boat. The total for your trip comes in our reply.

Group tour
$70 per person
Private boat
$550 for 1–4 people · $600 for 5–6 · $700 for 7–10
Whale watching, private boat (Jul–Oct)
$700 for 1–6 people · $800 for 7–10. Whales-only trips don't pay park entry.
Park entry, added to the tour price
$20 per foreign visitor · $5 per Panamanian or resident · free for children 12 and under

Write to us by WhatsApp or email with your date and group size and we'll send you the total for your trip. To confirm, a deposit per person secures your seats on the boat.