Coiba National Park, Panama

Coiba, The Devils Island of Central America, is home to many endemic species, both terrestrial and marine, and is covered in a carpet of lush primary tropical rain forest, mangrove and adorned with deserted beaches.

The Coiba National Park, UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is located off the Southeast coast of the Republic of Panama within the Gulf of Chiriquí. It is, without question, the crown jewel of Panama's extensive and spectacular protected natural reserves. Remote, uninhabited, wild and of great natural beauty, this biological 'hot spot' provides a protected and undisturbed habitat for thousands of terrestrial and marine species. This is one of the few remaining destinations in the world where a diver can encounter many endangered species and extensive vibrant coral reefs.

Dive sites range from calm, shallow, protected inshore reefs and islands to the high voltage diving on deep pinnacles and sea mounts. The sites offer encounters with a great variety of marine life, and also to observe behavioural habits and witness the symbiosis between many species. Most dive sites are littered with cleaning stations which attract many pelagic visitors, giant fish, turtles, mantas and shark. Spawning sites attract huge quantities of reef and giant pelagic fish at certain times throughout the year. Bait ball activity attracts the attention of thousands of resident marine birds and a great variety of the big marine predators.

The regions spectacular deserted beaches are some of the last remaining protected nesting habitats for marine turtles in Panama, including nesting sites for the giant and almost extinct Pacific Leatherback.

Whales can be seen in the Coiba National Park all year round; however, the months from May to November offer the best opportunity to observe some of the largest migratory visitors, the Humpback Whales who come here to give birth in the warm protected waters. Other visitors include Pilot Whales, Orcas, Fin, Brydes and Sperm Whales as well as several species of dolphins.