Quick facts
| Coast | Pacific: Gulf of Chiriquí and the waters of Veraguas around Coiba |
|---|---|
| Bases | Boca Chica (Isla Boca Brava), Pedregal (port of David), Santa Catalina for Coiba |
| Marinas | Marina Boca Chica (60 slips to 120 ft, per Noonsite); Marina Pedregal (ramp, dry storage to ~30 ft) |
| Fuel | Pedregal; Boca Chica by arrangement, delivered |
| By air | Albrook (PAC) to David (DAV) about 45 minutes; David to Boca Chica about 1 hour by road |
| Protected areas | Coiba National Park (Ley 44 de 2004, UNESCO 2005); Golfo de Chiriquí marine park (1994, 14,740 ha) |
| Offshore grounds | Hannibal Bank ~48 nm and Isla Montuosa ~40 nm from Boca Chica |
| Seasons | Dry Dec–Apr, lighter wind than the Gulf of Panama; rainy May–Nov, southerly swell |
Geography and waters
The Gulf of Chiriquí opens south from the province of Chiriquí, between the Costa Rican border and the Veraguas coast. It is full of islands. Boca Brava sits across a narrow channel from the village of Boca Chica. Isla Parida, the largest, lies farther out, along with Gámez, Bolaños and dozens of smaller islets inside the Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí. Farther out, the Islas Secas and Islas Ladrones lead to open ocean.
South-east, off the Veraguas coast, is Coiba, Panama's largest island. Coiba National Park takes in the island, Jicarón and a ring of smaller islands. Most of the protected area is sea. Offshore to the west are Isla Montuosa and Hannibal Bank, a seamount known for marlin and yellowfin tuna.
This is the quietest stretch of Panama's coast: few cruising boats, more fishing lodges than marinas, and long distances between services. The tide runs 3–4 m or more, which is a little less than at Amador. Even so, it drives hard currents through the channel at Boca Chica and decides when you can cross the Pedregal estuary.
Getting there by boat, road or air
By air. Flights from Albrook (PAC) to David (DAV) take about 45 minutes. Boca Chica is about an hour by road from David, and Pedregal about five minutes. Fishing lodges usually collect guests at the airport. For Coiba, most visitors drive to Santa Catalina on the Veraguas coast and take a boat from there.
By road. The Interamericana runs from Panama City to David. It is a long day's drive, and most people fly.
By sea. From Panama City it is about 260 nm direct to Boca Chica, or about 290 nm via Las Perlas, and the route rounds Punta Mala on the way. Coiba's east side is about 210 nm from Amador. From Costa Rica, Boca Chica is the natural first stop and a recognised point of entry; Noonsite reports officials come down from Pedregal for a fee. Use the Pacific coast cruising guide for the legs and ports of entry by sea for clearance.
Marinas, moorings and anchorages
- Marina Boca Chica lists 60 slips for yachts up to 120 ft, with power, water and a small hotel. Diesel is nearby, not on the dock, and depth is not published.
- Moorings and the anchorage off Boca Chica. Sheltered, but the current runs hard on the tide. Enter by the eastern entrance near high water and never by the western bar.
- Marina Pedregal, David's river port, is about 26 miles up the estuary. It has a pier, a ramp and dry storage to about 30 ft, and it is the closest reliable fuel stop for boats coming from Costa Rica. Enter on a rising tide; the banks shift.
Details and contacts are on the Boca Chica and Pedregal marinas page. There is no Travelift in the region. Bigger boats go to Vista Mar or Panama City for yard work; see haul-out yards.
Anchorages. Isla Parida has a calm bay off Punta Lanza in 4–5 m of muddy sand. At Coiba you may anchor only at the sites the rangers allow, so ask at the Gambute station when you check in. There is no fuel at Coiba that we could confirm. See anchoring and mooring.
Tides, weather and seasons
The pattern is the usual Pacific one with a western twist. In the dry season (about December to April) the sky is clear and the northerlies are lighter here than in the Gulf of Panama. The run back east to the city has them on the nose, though. In the rainy season (May to November) the wind is light, afternoon squalls bring lightning, and long southerly swell rolls into open anchorages. In June 2026 Panama's weather institute, IMHPA, forecast swell of 1.1–2.8 m in the Gulf of Chiriquí. MiAmbiente has closed Coiba temporarily in bad weather, so leave slack in any plan.
Plan bar crossings, the Pedregal estuary and the Boca Chica channel on the tide. See Pacific tides and currents and seasons.
What people do on the water
- Sportfishing. This is the main reason boats are here. Hannibal Bank has black and blue marlin, yellowfin and sailfish; Montuosa has tuna, wahoo and roosterfish; inshore there are roosterfish and snapper. Lodge calendars put yellowfin around May, black marlin in August, and blue marlin and sailfish from December to February. Billfish are catch-and-release under the June 2026 decrees. See fishing licences and seasons and fishing charters.
- Diving and snorkelling at Coiba, Panama's flagship dive ground, and around the Golfo de Chiriquí islands. See dive and snorkel charters.
- Whale watching. Humpbacks breed and calve in the gulf and around Coiba roughly July to October. See whale-watching tours.
- Island cruising on the slow route between Boca Chica, Parida and Coiba.
Rules, permits and agencies
Coiba National Park was created by Ley 44 de 2004 and is run by MiAmbiente. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. The same law created a Special Zone of Marine Protection that, according to the fishing-charter guide, takes in Isla Montuosa and Hannibal Bank. Fishing in the park is banned except sport and artisanal fishing that the management plan allows, in its zones and with its gear. Since July 2022 the park has not taken cash. You pay in advance at a MiAmbiente finance office (including Veraguas) or by bank transfer, then show the receipt at Gambute. MiAmbiente has not published a yacht fee schedule, so confirm the charge for your boat and crew. Rangers and SENAN patrol the zone. The full procedure is in Coiba National Park boating.
Golfo de Chiriquí marine park. The park was created in 1994 by INRENARE Resolution 019-94 and covers 14,740 ha, about 90% sea, across 44 islands and cays. Its 2011 management plan allows artisanal fishing and nature tourism. It prohibits fishing tournaments and harpoons, and lobster may be taken by hand only. Whales: keep 250 m away, stay no more than 30 minutes (15 with a calf) and keep 100 m from dolphins.
Everywhere else: AMP registration and zarpes, ATP for operators, ARAP fishing licences, and SENAN checks, especially near the border. See protected marine areas.
Who this region suits
Anglers who want world-class offshore fishing from a lodge. Divers heading for Coiba. Cruisers arriving from Costa Rica or working slowly west from the city. Owners of trailer boats and small sportfishers who live in David or Boquete. It does not suit anyone who needs a yard, a chandlery or a big city nearby.
Your practical starting checklist
- Fly Albrook to David and arrange the transfer to Boca Chica, or drive to Santa Catalina for Coiba.
- Email Marina Boca Chica with LOA, beam, draft and dates, and ask about fuel delivery.
- Pay the Coiba fee in advance with MiAmbiente and print the receipt.
- Get ARAP licences and MiAmbiente authorization before fishing Coiba, Montuosa or Hannibal Bank.
- Cross the Boca Chica channel and the Pedregal estuary on a rising tide, by the eastern entrance.
- Carry fuel for the whole Coiba round trip plus a reserve.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Coiba?
Most visitors go by boat from Santa Catalina in Veraguas, and fishing boats run from Boca Chica. Pay the MiAmbiente fee in advance and check in at the Gambute ranger station.
Is Hannibal Bank inside Coiba National Park?
It lies outside the island park. The fishing-charter guide places it inside the Special Zone of Marine Protection created by the same law, so get MiAmbiente's current rules in writing before you fish there.
Can I clear into Panama at Boca Chica?
Yes. Noonsite reports that you anchor off the village and officials come from Pedregal, for a fee. You still need the AMP cruising permit.
¿Cómo se paga la entrada al Parque Nacional Coiba?
Desde julio de 2022 no se acepta efectivo en el parque. Pague por adelantado en una oficina de finanzas de MiAmbiente o por transferencia y muestre el recibo en Gambute.
Where is the nearest boatyard?
There is no Travelift in Chiriquí. Pedregal has a ramp and dry storage for boats to about 30 ft; bigger boats go to Vista Mar, Panama City or Costa Rica.
En español: navegar en Chiriquí y Coiba
Las bases son Boca Chica, frente a Isla Boca Brava, y Pedregal, el puerto de David, a unos 26 millas estuario arriba. Pedregal es la parada más segura para combustible. El Parque Nacional Coiba fue creado por la Ley 44 de 2004 y lo administra MiAmbiente. La entrada se paga por adelantado y el recibo se presenta en Gambute. Ancle solo en los sitios autorizados. La pesca en el parque y en la zona especial de protección marina está restringida, y los picudos se liberan. El Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí protege 44 islas, islotes y cayos.