Beach at Rangers Station, Woodpecker, Scarlet Macaws and a crocodile on Isla Coiba

55 miles to the south east of Boca Chica is Isla Coiba, the largest island in Central America. For many decades this large jungle-clad island was used by the government as a penal colony for Panama’s most notorious criminals. Although the prison was closed in 2004, there are apparently still 4 prisoners living on the island who were too old to be moved.

Thanks to the prison, there was no other development on Isla Coiba and it remains one the largest areas of untouched virgin rainforest in Central America. The Island was declared a National Park in 1992, and UNESCO made the park a World Heritage Site in July 2005. The National Park covers an area of nearly 2,000 km squared including 38 other smaller islands around it.

The island is home to many endemic subspecies such as the Coiba Island Howler monkey, Coiba Agouti (a rodent) and the Coiba Spinetail bird. There are also several species of crocodile inhabiting the waters on and around Coiba. The island is 75% forested and harbors rare plant species, and tree species that have long disappeared from the mainland due to deforestation and over-harvesting. A birdwatchers paradise, it is home to one of the last remaining healthy populations of Scarlet Macaw in the world.

The marine environment around Isla Coiba is incredibly rich in marine life. The water temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit varies little all year round which enables a large number of marine species to inhabit the area. According to UNESCO there are 760 species of marine fish, 33 species of shark, and 20 species of cetaceans (whale and dolphin family).

There are numerous dive sites to be explored here, and an abundance of marine life and wildlife to be enjoyed.

During overnight trips to Isla Coiba, you spend the night at the Coiba Island's Rangers station. Accommodation here is basic with electricity cutting out around midnight. However, rooms are clean and have air-conditioning and their own bathrooms. Sleeps up to 5 in each room.

Time to dive sites: 2.5 to 3 hours
Depths: between 15 - 40 meters.