Дайв-сайты: Veraguas Province

Most divers access Coiba Island from the small surf town of Santa Catalina on Panama's Pacific coast. Day trips involve a 90-minute boat ride each way, while liveaboard trips of 2-3 days offer more dive time and access to remote sites around the island. Santa Catalina is reached by bus from Santiago or Panama City, a journey of about 5-6 hours from the capital.

Whale sharks are most commonly sighted around Coiba Island from December to April, coinciding with the dry season and cooler, nutrient-rich water upwellings. January and February are considered peak months. Sightings are not guaranteed on every dive, but multi-day trips significantly increase your chances of an encounter.

Open Water certification is sufficient for some of the shallower sites, but intermediate to advanced certification is recommended for the best dive spots, which involve moderate currents and depths up to 35 metres. Experience with current diving is particularly valuable, as the nutrient-rich waters that attract big animals also create variable current conditions.