Coiba Island
Coiba Island, located off the Pacific coast of Panama, is the largest island in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tropical paradise is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush forests, and exceptional biodiversity, making it a dream destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Coiba Island
Coiba Island UNESCO World Heritage Site
Coiba National Park, situated in the Pacific Ocean off Panama’s coastline, stands as a protected haven covering an expansive area of over 503 square kilometers. As the largest island in Central America, Coiba captivates visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and remarkable diving possibilities.
Coiba Island served as a Panamanian penal colony from 1919 to 2004, maintaining its exclusivity from the public and preserving the surrounding marine ecosystem. In 1991, the island and its waters were designated a national park, safeguarding its diverse wildlife, such as the Coiba Island howler monkey and agouti. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Coiba National Park stands as a pristine haven of exceptional biodiversity.
Today, Coiba National Park is a popular destination for ecotourism and is known for its excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. The park is managed by the Panamanian government and is protected by law to ensure its conservation for future generations.
Coiba offers exceptional diving experiences with its diverse marine life and natural wonders. If you plan to visit between December and April, you’re in for a treat as this is the whale shark season. During this time, you have a higher chance of encountering these majestic creatures while exploring the underwater world. Swimming alongside whale sharks is an awe-inspiring experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Coiba Island
A Year-Round Diving Paradise
For those visiting Coiba Island from July to September, the humpback whale season provides another incredible spectacle. Witnessing these magnificent creatures as they migrate through the area is a truly unforgettable sight. The island’s pristine waters become a haven for humpback whales during these months, offering a unique opportunity to observe their acrobatic displays and hear their haunting songs.
In addition to these seasonal highlights, Coiba Island boasts a year-round diving paradise with warm water temperatures averaging 27-29°C (81-84°F). The visibility ranges from 15-20 meters (50-70 feet), providing excellent conditions for exploring the vibrant coral reefs and encountering a variety of marine species. It’s worth noting that the February to April period may feature thermoclines, where cooler water from deeper regions mixes with the warm water, creating an exciting contrast.
From April to early July, diving enthusiasts have the exciting opportunity to witness the hammerhead shark season. These incredible creatures can be spotted in the Archipielago of Contreras, located near Coiba. Swimming alongside hammerhead sharks is a thrilling experience that attracts divers from around the world.
Whether you’re an avid diver or a nature enthusiast, Coiba and the Archipelago of Contreras underwater wonders offer an incredible experience. From swimming with whale sharks to observing humpback whales, the island’s diverse marine ecosystem is sure to leave you in awe. Plan your visit accordingly to make the most of these remarkable encounters and the optimal diving conditions Coiba Island has to offer.
Archipielago of Contreras
Diving in the Archipelago of Contreras is an exceptional experience that offers a glimpse into the diverse marine life and coral reefs of Panama. The waters around the archipelago are home to a wide variety of marine creatures, including schools of tropical fish, vibrant corals, and fascinating macro life. This makes it an ideal location for experienced divers looking for a challenge and a unique underwater adventure. Dive sites in the Archipelago of Contreras are just a 20-minute boat ride away from our dive center, making it a convenient and accessible location for our guests. The dive sites in this area offer an opportunity to explore stunning walls, deep drop-offs, and underwater canyons, providing a thrilling diving experience. Divers can expect to encounter an array of marine species, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles, as well as unique macro life such as nudibranchs and seahorses.
The Archipielago of Contreras serves as a hotspot for hammerhead shark sightings, adding an extra layer of excitement to your diving adventures.
At Dive Base Coiba, we offer a range of diving packages tailored to the needs of our divers. Our expert guides will accompany you on your dives, ensuring that you have a safe and unforgettable diving experience.
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Testimonials from our diving school
What our customers say
Second dive trip with Dive Base Coiba - Long overdue review, but my son, friend and I did our second weekend with Kevan Mantell in late November. Once again, truly an amazing weekend. Saw dozens of white tipped... read more reef sharks, sea turtles, schools of tuna, corvina, etc.
On our last dive, second day, we saw an enormous sea turtle that appeared at first to have gotten wedged between a couple of rocks on the sea floor. We watched him closely for about 5 minutes, and eventually he got loose and swam away.
As I wrote last time, diving with Kevan really is like participating in a research expedition.
During our latest trip, he even let us participate in helping contribute to his research in our own small way. One of the divers who joined us brought a drone and Kevan asked him to take photographs and video of the coral beds in one of the bays that he could use to build out a more comprehensive research map of the area.
His knowledge of the area is extraordinary. When you arrive to Dive Base Coiba, he has this huge map of the Coiba National Park on the wall, and he'll give you a really comprehensive overview of the marine biology, environmental history, geological history, and even political history (Coiba Island was the site of a notorious prison during the Noriega years) of the area. Fascinating stuff.
At another point while we were at the surface, Kevan stopped the boat just as a pod of dolphins was swimming towards us. Kevan urged us to jump in with snorkels and mask. We watched as they whooshed by right underneath us. Incredible.
The other thing about Kevan: He gives his full attention and professionalism to every one of his clients whether its recreational divers like us; professional and research divers from National Geographic, the European Space Agency, or BBC: or his VIP clients like Mick Jagger, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, and several well known billionaires (yes, he's taken them all diving at Coiba) He puts a premium on safety and will walk you through a full safety briefing before every dive and do several safety check ins during your dives.
We'll be heading back for our third trip in 2018.

December 26, 2017





