Read the article written for the
British GUARDIAN, Oct 2005
by Annie Kelly about one of our
Eco trips to Coiba
British GUARDIAN, Oct 2005
by Annie Kelly about one of our
Eco trips to Coiba
| Eco tours to the Coiba National Park |
Scuba Coiba is primarily a diving operator, located in Santa Catalina at the Pacific coast of Panama.
For information about scuba diving and dive courses please visit our multiple language home page. But
of course the Coiba National Park has much more to offer, than world class dive sites.
The national park consists of the islands of Coiba, Rancheria, Canal de Afuera,
Afuerita, Uva, Brincanco, Pajaros, Jicaron, Jicarita and many more small islets.
Around 80% of the area is ocean and contains the largest coral reef of the tropical
East Pacific. As Coiba was uninhabited except of a prison colony, which was closed
in 2004, the terrestrial flora is mainly virgin primary rain forest with more than 1.450
identified plants and home to 36 mammals and 147 species of birds, including the
only population of Scarlet Macaws in Panama.
Of course the main attraction is the sea, secluded beaches and pristine snorkeling
spots. Some of the beaches of Coiba are nesting areas for different turtles (Green,
Olive Ridley and Leatherback) and beside of the always present dolphins at least
four different species of whales (Humpbacks, Orcas, Pilot- and Sperm whales) are
migrating through the waters of the park at certain times of the year and whale
watching experiences are quite possible.
We are organizing our eco tours from Santa Catalina at the Pacific coast of Veraguas. This small fishing
village is just opening itself to eco tourism and is the closest gateway to the national park providing road
access and touristic infrastructure. For more information about Santa Catalina and how to come here,
please consult our home page.
We believe in the concept of responsible eco-tourism, what also means, that the
local communities have to participate and receive a major share of it. Therefor we
are offering eco tours exclusively through locally owned boats and local
captains/guides, providing a minimum standard of safety and comfort, like radio
communication, life vests, cooler with ice and sun roofs.
We are offering two different standard trips (special tours for more days, whale watching, etc. can be
arranged on request):
For information about scuba diving and dive courses please visit our multiple language home page. But
of course the Coiba National Park has much more to offer, than world class dive sites.
The national park consists of the islands of Coiba, Rancheria, Canal de Afuera,
Afuerita, Uva, Brincanco, Pajaros, Jicaron, Jicarita and many more small islets.
Around 80% of the area is ocean and contains the largest coral reef of the tropical
East Pacific. As Coiba was uninhabited except of a prison colony, which was closed
in 2004, the terrestrial flora is mainly virgin primary rain forest with more than 1.450
identified plants and home to 36 mammals and 147 species of birds, including the
only population of Scarlet Macaws in Panama.
Of course the main attraction is the sea, secluded beaches and pristine snorkeling
spots. Some of the beaches of Coiba are nesting areas for different turtles (Green,
Olive Ridley and Leatherback) and beside of the always present dolphins at least
four different species of whales (Humpbacks, Orcas, Pilot- and Sperm whales) are
migrating through the waters of the park at certain times of the year and whale
watching experiences are quite possible.
We are organizing our eco tours from Santa Catalina at the Pacific coast of Veraguas. This small fishing
village is just opening itself to eco tourism and is the closest gateway to the national park providing road
access and touristic infrastructure. For more information about Santa Catalina and how to come here,
please consult our home page.
We believe in the concept of responsible eco-tourism, what also means, that the
local communities have to participate and receive a major share of it. Therefor we
are offering eco tours exclusively through locally owned boats and local
captains/guides, providing a minimum standard of safety and comfort, like radio
communication, life vests, cooler with ice and sun roofs.
We are offering two different standard trips (special tours for more days, whale watching, etc. can be
arranged on request):
Tour 1 covers the northern tip of Coiba and the
islands Rancheria and Canales.
Where we go:
scientific station, museum with information about
flora and fauna, bird observatory, beach
Granito de Oro, small island with white sand beach
and coral reef
Monkey trail, trail through primary rain forest
Rio Santa Cruz (*), boat trips through mangroves
Bajo Frijoles, snorkeling with multidudes of fish
Price per person (**): USD 50.00 (4 or more)
USD 65.00 (3 participants)
USD 95.00 (2 participants)
islands Rancheria and Canales.
Where we go:
scientific station, museum with information about
flora and fauna, bird observatory, beach
Granito de Oro, small island with white sand beach
and coral reef
Monkey trail, trail through primary rain forest
Rio Santa Cruz (*), boat trips through mangroves
Bajo Frijoles, snorkeling with multidudes of fish
Price per person (**): USD 50.00 (4 or more)
USD 65.00 (3 participants)
USD 95.00 (2 participants)
Tour 2 covers the east side of Coiba
Where we go:
scientific station, museum with information about
flora and fauna, bird observatory, beach
Monkey trail, trail through primary rain forest
Punta Damas, beaches, nesting area of Scarlet
Macaws, former prison
Pozos termales, hot springs
Boca Grande, boat tour through mangroves and rain
forest
snorkeling spots
Price per person (**): USD 65.00 (4 or more)
USD 80.00 (3 participants)
USD 110.00 (2 participants
Where we go:
scientific station, museum with information about
flora and fauna, bird observatory, beach
Monkey trail, trail through primary rain forest
Punta Damas, beaches, nesting area of Scarlet
Macaws, former prison
Pozos termales, hot springs
Boca Grande, boat tour through mangroves and rain
forest
snorkeling spots
Price per person (**): USD 65.00 (4 or more)
USD 80.00 (3 participants)
USD 110.00 (2 participants
tour outlines are suggestions and can be changed
depending on preferences of guests or weather
conditions.
(*) river tours are tide depending, visits to the prison
depend on permission of the police
(**) prices are per person, additional costs are park
fees, food and rental equipment for snorkeling
depending on preferences of guests or weather
conditions.
(*) river tours are tide depending, visits to the prison
depend on permission of the police
(**) prices are per person, additional costs are park
fees, food and rental equipment for snorkeling
different species of whales are
visiting the national park
visiting the national park
For more information and reservations
please contact us at info@scubacoiba.com
or (507) 202-2171
please contact us at info@scubacoiba.com
or (507) 202-2171
cell block of the former
prison
prison
a lot of information about the national park can be found in these excellent websites:
www.albatrosmedia.com
www.ancon.org
www.coibapanama.com
www.albatrosmedia.com
www.ancon.org
www.coibapanama.com
rivers beaches snorkeling