Preserve Panama

Coiba Island in Panama is a diver’s paradise.

Coiba Island offers one of the best diving sites in Panama. It is off the south west coast of the country, in the province of Veraguas. The Coiba National Park covers 2700 km2 of islands, forests, beaches and coral reefs. As well as being a great haven for birds and mammals, the underwater treasures are quite spectacular too.

Coiba Island was a penal colony for 80 years, and this may well have helped preserve its natural habitat intact. The Island and oceans around it are pristine, which is what led to it being declared a National Park, which is managed by the Marviva Foundation. It has the most extensive coral reef in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

What makes this such an excellent diving location is the vast range of marine species which can be found here. Divers will encounter white pointed sharks, rays, turtles, large schools of surgeon fish, butterfly fish, angels, barracuda, mackerel and yellow tuna. At certain times there are also humpback whales, orca, bottle-nosed whales, hammerhead sharks and bull-nosed whales.

Coiba Island used to be a penal colony. Now it is a National Park

Although the waters are teeming with life, visibility is low due to the 4-7 meter range in tides. Visibility around the island should be 15-20 meters, but it can be reduced nearer the shore by currents. However, the seawater is a balmy 27-29C which is very pleasant.

The best way to reach the Island is by charter flight from Panama City which takes 50 minutes. By road and boat the journey takes at least 10 hours.

To make an inquiry about Coiba tours, click here to fill out a contact form.

For more information about what to do in Panama, Panama travel, tourism, and locations contact Panama Travel Group today.

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