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Located in the Gulf of Chiriquí, Coiba National Park is a marine reserve off Panama’s Pacific coast. Coiba National Park (Nacional Parque Coiba) is comprised of a group of 38 islands including Coiba Island (Isla Coiba) and the waters surrounding them and covers 430,825 acres.
Identified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2005, Coiba National Park offers rich and well preserved natural resources.
Because Isla Coiba served Panama as a penal colony, access to the island was very restricted. Almost by accident, 80% of the islands' natural resources have therefore survived untouched and flourished through limited human contact.
With its designations as a National Park, Isla Coiba, its surrounding waters and island neighbors have been given a greater degree of protection. While still subject to poaching, illegal logging and other trespasses, the Panamanian government has taken a large step in their preservation.
Coiba National Park is managed by the National Authority for the Environment (Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente, ANAM). The park is accessible only by permit from ANAM. A number of tour operators in Panama offer ecotours, fishing, and scuba diving trips to Coiba and can assist in obtaining appropriate permits.
The tour operators depart from several different places on the Panamanian coast.
Santa Catalina is the closest access point with about an hour and fifteen minute boat ride from Santa Catalina's beach to Isla Coiba.
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