It has the highest rate of endemism of any equivalent region in the world, with over 1,700 hectares of living coral reefs in the National Park.

“An obstacle to Coiba’s conservation is that people don’t know what we have here.”

David Roubik

 

 

 

For many years, Coiba Island was an enigma for Panamanians and beyond. This was principally because of the island’s history as a fierce prison colony (1918-1991). Today, however, circumstances are quite different.
Botanical and wildlife surveys have illustrated that Coiba is home to many rare and endemic species, and we are continuing to discover new species on the island, many groups of mammals and birds. It is home to one of the last and largest groups of the Scarlet Macaw and nesting site to the rare and illusive Crested Eagle.

 

Coiba National Park still has approximately 85 percent of its ancient; is primary tropical, very humid forest and mangrove forests surrounded by 240 km of coastline and irrigated by an extensive network of rivers, the largest of which is 23 km long. Its extensive old mangrove forests are a habitat for cayman and an abundance of large American crocodiles.

Scarlet Macaw

For bird watchers, Coiba offers 97 of the 147 species of birds found in Coiba National Park. Coiba is a refuge for Crested Eagles and Scarlet Macaws, birds who have virtually disappeared from the rest of the Republic of Panama. Coiba also offers 20 endemic birds species including the Coiba spinetail.

Other local species include the Coiba Island Agouti (Dasyproctae coibae), the Mantled Howler Monkey, an opossum and a white-tailed deer. Over 30 varieties of bats call Coiba home.
The region’s spectacular deserted beaches are some of the last remaining protected nesting habitats for marine turtles in Panama, including nesting sites for the giant and almost extinct Pacific leatherback.

The calm waters around these volcanic, jungle clad islands offer some of the world’s best diving. For its abundance of unique marine fauna and the largest coral reef in the eastern pacific.
The water are filled with big fish “Very big fish”, encounters are frequent. Humpback, Sperm and Pilot whales migrate through the park. Orcas and Whale shark can be seen at certain times of year too. Dolphins, manta rays  are a common sight, even on Scuba.  A total of 760 of fish and 33 species of sharks have been record.  White Tip reef shark along with Tiger, Bull, Hammerhead, Black Tip and Galapagos shark are common, along with Jew Fish, Amber Jack and Giant Snapper and three species of Turtle.

There are only a few species of hard and soft corals. However these are abundant on many sites. Amongst the rocks the diversity of life continues. Sea Horse, Pipe Fish, Frog Fish, Stargazers, Nudibranch, Harlequin Shrimp and many types and colors of eel, from Starry Moray’s to Giant Green Morays.

Coiba National Park ranks as one of the most important protected areas in the Republic of Panama. Owing to its high level of biodiversity, varied ecosystems and species found no where else. Coiba becomes an environmental sanctuary for the world at large.

Coiba - World Heritage

We are raising awareness about Coiba as a national treasure within Panama and internationally to ensure the continued protection of Coiba in the long term.

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Do not hesitage to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.

+507 6673-0256

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