Boca Chica and Pedregal are the two boating bases of Chiriquí province in western Pacific Panama. Boca Chica is a fishing village on the Gulf of Chiriquí facing Isla Boca Brava, with a 60-slip marina, moorings, fishing lodges and an anchorage where you can clear into Panama; Pedregal is David's river port about 26 miles up the estuary, with a small marina, a ramp and dry storage for boats to about 30 ft. Both are launch points for Hannibal Bank, Isla Montuosa and Coiba, and both are about an hour or less from David's airport.
Quick facts
| Coast | Pacific (Gulf of Chiriquí) |
|---|---|
| Location | Boca Chica village / Isla Boca Brava; Pedregal, port of David, ~26 mi up the estuary |
| Slips | Marina Boca Chica: 60 slips to 120 ft (Noonsite); Pedregal: pier, ramp, dry storage to ~30 ft |
| Fuel | Pedregal yes; Boca Chica by arrangement, delivered |
| Yard | No Travelift; ramp and dry storage at Pedregal only |
| Charter pickup | Lodge-based; transfers from David airport (~1 h) |
| Clearance | Yes at Boca Chica, officials from Pedregal (fee) |
| Contact | Marina Boca Chica +507 6609-0852 · marinabocachica.com |
Location and access
Boca Chica is a small mainland village on the eastern side of the Gulf of Chiriquí, about 45 nautical miles south of the Costa Rica border, with Isla Boca Brava immediately across a narrow, fast-running channel and Isla Cedro and the islands of the Golfo de Chiriquí marine park beyond. Noonsite gives the anchorage as 08°13.1′ N, 82°13.2′ W. By road it is roughly an hour from David, mostly on the Interamericana then south on the Boca Chica road; fishing lodges collect guests at David's Enrique Malek airport (DAV), which has several daily flights from Panama City's Albrook (PAC) taking about 45 minutes.
Pedregal is the port of David at the head of the estuary that opens near Boca Chica; Noonsite puts the river entrance at 08°15.1′ N, 82°28.1′ W and the marina about five minutes by road from David airport. By sea the river is shallow with shifting banks: enter on a rising tide, plan it over two days from the coast, and Noonsite advises against going all the way up unless you have local knowledge.
Entering Boca Chica by sea, use the eastern entrance at or near high water. Do not use the western entrance, which is a bar with breaking seas. The channel in front of the village runs hard on the ebb and flood, and an uncharted power line crosses to Boca Brava; its clearance is reported at about 18 m but is not confirmed. The Pacific tide here is 3 to 4 m or more; depths quoted in cruiser waypoints are around 14 ft at mid-tide on the inside route.
Marinas, moorings and who they suit
There are three ways to keep a boat in this corner of Panama:
- Marina Boca Chica (Chiriquí Marine Center): Noonsite lists 60 slips for yachts up to 120 ft LOA, shore power, potable water, internet, a 12-room hotel, yacht maintenance, waste and waste-oil disposal, propane refills and security. Depth is not published. Diesel is "nearby", not on the dock.
- Moorings and anchorage at Boca Chica: a long-standing local mooring operator (Carlos Moorings, +507 6600-6191 per Noonsite) and room to anchor off the village. Noonsite described the marina as only partially developed as of 2019, so cruisers mainly used moorings.
- Marina Pedregal: a concrete pier, a boat ramp, a mooring, water and electricity, and dry storage for boats to about 30 ft. Services are basic.
Who it suits: sportfishers running to Hannibal Bank and Coiba; owners of centre consoles and small sportfishers who live in David, Boquete or the Chiriquí highlands; cruisers coming down from Costa Rica who want to clear into Panama at the first convenient stop. Who it does not suit: anyone who needs a Travelift, a chandlery or a city within reach; for that you go to Panama City or back to Costa Rica. The lodges on Boca Brava and around the village (the Panama Big Game Fishing Club and Panama Sportfishing Lodge are the best known) run their own fleets and docks for their guests.
Fuel, haul-out and services
Fuel: Pedregal is the closest fuel stop for yachts arriving from Costa Rica, and fuel can be arranged at Boca Chica with advance notice; Marina Boca Chica says diesel is available nearby rather than at its own dock. In practice fuel in Boca Chica arrives by truck or drum, so order ahead and expect to pay for the logistics. Confirm current arrangements with the marina or your lodge.
Haul-out: no Travelift is published for either place. Pedregal has a ramp and dry storage for boats to about 30 ft, which covers trailer boats and small sportfishers. For a bigger boat the realistic yard options are Vista Mar's trailer lift in San Carlos or a shipyard in Panama City, both a long run east; Costa Rican yards at Golfito or Quepos are the alternative to the west. See Panama City marinas and boat storage compared.
Services: Boca Chica has restaurants, basic shopping and basic marine services; David, an hour away, is Panama's second city with hardware, supermarkets, mechanics and the airport. Dive operators work out of Boca Chica and Boca Brava for the Golfo de Chiriquí park and Coiba.
Charter pickup, clearance and rules
Fishing charters here are lodge-based: guests fly to David, are driven to Boca Chica and board at the lodge's dock or the marina. If you operate charters, the same Panama rules apply as in the city: Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) registration and crew licences, Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP) registration as a tourism operator, and fishing licences through the Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá (ARAP). Coiba is a national park run by MiAmbiente with its own entry fees and rules for boats and anglers; Hannibal Bank sits outside the park but is inside Panama's zone of managed fishing. See charter licensing in Panama and parks and environment rules.
Boca Chica is a recognised point of entry for yachts arriving from Costa Rica. Noonsite reports that you anchor off the village and the officials (port captain, Migración, Aduanas and health) come to the boat from Pedregal for a fee; one 2019 report put the visit at US$167 for two people on a holiday, plus the AMP cruising permit (US$185 at that time). Fees change; confirm with the AMP and read arrival and clearance. The Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) has a presence in the Gulf of Chiriquí and checks boats, especially near the Costa Rican border.
Costs and how to contact
None of the three bases publishes a rate card. Expect per-foot slip rates at Marina Boca Chica, a daily or monthly mooring fee at Boca Chica, modest storage and ramp fees at Pedregal, and a premium for fuel delivered by truck. Get quotes in writing.
- Marina Boca Chica: +507 6609-0852 (as published), [email protected], marinabocachica.com.
- Boca Chica moorings: Carlos Moorings, +507 6600-6191 (WhatsApp), per Noonsite.
- Marina Pedregal: no published phone or email; ask locally in David or through Noonsite.
- Fishing lodges: book direct; they arrange the David airport transfer.
For how Panamanian marina contracts and storage agreements work, see marinas and docking for owners.
Nearby waters
This is the reason to be here. From Boca Chica the Golfo de Chiriquí marine park islands (Parida, Gámez, Bolaños, Secas) are an easy day. Hannibal Bank, the seamount famous for black and blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and sailfish, is roughly 48 nautical miles out, about a 70-minute run in a fast sportfisher; Isla Montuosa is about 40 nautical miles; Coiba, the national park island with its ranger station and dive sites, lies to the south-east. The fishing is year-round, with yellowfin peaking around May, black marlin in August and blue marlin and sailfish from December to February according to lodge calendars. The Islas Ladrones and Isla Jicarón are further runs for experienced crews. Weather is the usual Pacific Panama pattern: dry and breezy roughly December to April, wet with afternoon squalls May to November, no hurricanes. The full picture of Panama's Pacific cruising grounds is in cruising grounds.
Your practical starting checklist
- Decide the base: Boca Chica for slips, moorings and lodge fishing; Pedregal for a ramp, dry storage and a boat under 30 ft.
- Fly Panama City (Albrook) to David, about 45 minutes, and arrange the one-hour transfer to Boca Chica or the five-minute one to Pedregal.
- Email Marina Boca Chica with LOA, beam, draft and dates; ask about depth at low water and fuel delivery.
- Arriving by sea, use Boca Chica's eastern entrance near high water in daylight; never the western bar.
- Clearing in from Costa Rica: anchor off Boca Chica and arrange the officials' visit from Pedregal; have passports, zarpe, crew list and boat papers ready.
- Order fuel a day ahead; check ARAP fishing licence and Coiba park fees before heading offshore.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a marina at Boca Chica?
Yes. Marina Boca Chica (Chiriquí Marine Center) lists 60 slips for yachts to 120 ft, power, water, a small hotel and maintenance. Cruisers also use moorings and the anchorage off the village. Confirm depth and availability with the marina.
Can I clear into Panama at Boca Chica?
Yes, by arrangement. Officials come to the boat from Pedregal for a fee. Cruisers have reported around US$167 for the visit plus the AMP cruising permit, but confirm current fees with the AMP.
Where do I get fuel?
Pedregal is the nearest fuel stop coming from Costa Rica; at Boca Chica fuel is arranged ahead and delivered rather than pumped at the marina dock. Order a day in advance.
Is there a boatyard or Travelift in Chiriquí?
No Travelift is published. Pedregal offers a ramp and dry storage for boats to about 30 ft. Larger boats haul at Vista Mar in San Carlos, in Panama City, or in Costa Rica.
How far is Hannibal Bank from Boca Chica?
About 48 nautical miles, roughly a 70-minute run in a fast sportfisher. Isla Montuosa is about 40 nautical miles. Coiba National Park lies to the south-east and has its own MiAmbiente fees.
The next question to answer
Panama's Pacific coast by boat: Las Perlas, the Punta Mala rounding, Coiba (MiAmbiente fee paid ahead) and Chiriquí. Distances, seasons, fuel, zarpes. Read Cruising Panama's Pacific coast: Las Perlas to Chiriquí.
Every marina, anchorage and yard that matters, both coasts. Read Marinas in Panama.
The nearest full marina and trailer haul-out, in San Carlos. Read Vista Mar Marina.
Official resources
Use the relevant Panamanian authority for current requirements and fees. These resources are the next place to check; a practical recommendation is not an agency determination.
- Noonsite: Boca Chica (Panama) ↗
- Noonsite: Marina Boca Chica ↗
- Noonsite: Pedregal ↗
- Noonsite: Marina Pedregal ↗
- Sportquest Holidays: Panama Big Game Sport Fishing Lodge, Boca Chica (distances and season) ↗