Coiba Island
Coiba Island
Coiba Island is Panama's largest island and a place with a pretty strange history. Once a notorious prison colony during the 20th century, it's now part of a protected national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The isolation caused by its prison past actually helped preserve its natural environment, making it one of Central America's most untouched ecosystems.
The waters around Coiba are part of the Eastern Pacific Marine Corridor, connecting with the Galapagos Islands. This makes it a diving paradise where you might see whale sharks, humpback whales, and tons of rays. The coral reefs here are among the largest in the Pacific coast of the Americas, with visibility often reaching 30-40 feet.
About 80% of Coiba is covered in pristine rainforest that houses wildlife you won't see on mainland Panama anymore, including several endemic species found nowhere else. Scientists still discover new species here regularly. The island's isolation created a 'mini Galapagos' effect where animals evolved separately from their mainland relatives.
While beautiful, Coiba has an eerie side too. Local legends tell of ghosts from the prison era, when thousands of political prisoners and criminals were sent here to serve time in harsh conditions. Some buildings from this dark chapter still stand, creating a strange contrast with the island's natural beauty.
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Things to do in Coiba Island
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Turtle Nesting Expeditions on Coiba beach
Join a guided turtle nesting expedition and witness one of nature's most incredible spectacles as sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on Coiba's pristine beaches. Accompanied by experienced guides, venture to secluded nesting sites where you can observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Learn about the different species of sea turtles that inhabit Coiba's waters, their nesting behaviors, and the conservation efforts aimed at protecting their nesting sites. With luck, you may even witness baby turtles hatching and making their first journey to the sea, a truly unforgettable experience.
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Night Snorkeling with Bioluminescent Plankton
A spectacular night snorkeling excursion allows you to witness the magic of Coiba's waters come to life. Dive into the dark waters, lighted by the hypnotic glow of bioluminescent plankton, to see a strange underwater light show. Watch in amazement as the plankton light up with each movement, resulting in a breathtaking show of natural beauty unlike anything you've ever seen before. Night snorkeling with bioluminescent plankton provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to observe one of nature's most fascinating phenomena while creating unforgettable memories under the starry sky.
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Hiking through the Coiba Rainforest
Lace up your hiking boots and set off on an adventure into Coiba's lush rainforests, where dense vegetation, towering trees, and exotic creatures await. Follow well-marked routes to magnificent vistas, secret waterfalls, and isolated beaches, where you may examine natural flora and fauna up close. Keep your camera handy for sightings of howler monkeys, anteaters, iguanas, and a variety of bird species that inhabit the island.
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Scuba Diving and Snorkeling at Coiba Island
Dive into the crystal-clear waters surrounding Coiba Island to see a fascinating underwater world teeming with colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and other marine life. Whether you're a certified diver or a beginner snorkeler, Coiba's immaculate dive sites provide unrivaled opportunity to explore vivid coral gardens, underwater tunnels, and submerged rock formations. Keep a look out for sharks, rays, marine turtles, and perhaps whale sharks in the seas of Coiba National Park.