Diving Trip to Coiba – Panama
Wild Sanctuary · Coiba National Park · Large pelagics · 2027
A diving trip to Coiba to explore one of the wildest marine sanctuaries in the Eastern Pacific, amidst sharks, manta rays, large schools of fish, and humpback whales.
Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Dives
15 dives
Dates
15-23/08 2027
Diving in Coiba:
Large pelagic species in Panama's Pacific
Coiba National Park is one of the premier diving destinations in the Eastern Pacific, featuring reefs, seamounts, and open waters where some of the ocean's most iconic creatures can be spotted.
During the "Wild Sanctuary" trip, we will complete 15 dives over five days, exploring the waters of Coiba and the Contreras Archipelago in search of sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, massive schools of fish, and other pelagic species.
We are traveling in August—a particularly exciting time to see humpback whales and their calves in the Panamanian Pacific.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |
Top 3 marine animals you can see
in Coiba
The 4 Dimensions of the Experience
Dive
15 Dives in the National Park
Five full days of diving in one of the last pristine corners of Central America. Untouched reefs, bull, tiger, and whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and the genuine feeling of discovering a place almost no one has ever seen. All within Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Culture
Authentic Panama
A free day to explore nearby towns, rivers, mangroves, and the native flora and fauna of Santa Catalina. Enjoy local Panamanian cuisine and experience the culture of one of Central America's most authentic corners.
They call it the Galapagos of Panama.
Nature
Unique wildlife
We arrive at the exact season when humpback whales give birth to their calves in the shallow, protected waters of the Panamanian Pacific. There's a real possibility of encounters with passing orcas, hammerhead, bull, and tiger sharks in the Contreras Archipelago, and large gatherings of manta rays and stingrays.
.jpeg)
Photo Workshop
Wide Angle
Workshop led by
Borja García (@borjius_diver). Practical sessions in the water during the diving days, combined with review and editing on land.
From capture to final result.
Photography contest with prizes for the winners.
Underwater Photography Experience included
Photo Shooting
Your underwater portrait
Professional photography sessions during your trip so you can take home real images of your underwater experiences.
No posed shots—authentic moments captured by the Born to the Ocean team.
Contest
Wide Angle
Photography contest among all participants with prizes for the winners.
Coiba National Park, on Panama's Pacific coast, protects Coiba Island, the Contreras Archipelago, and a vast marine area.
Its isolation over the decades helped preserve extraordinarily rich marine ecosystems.
Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is renowned for the abundance of large pelagic species.
Diving here means entering a remote environment where wildlife encounters are unpredictable—and all part of the experience.
Humpback whales in Coiba:
The breeding season
Between July and November, humpback whales arrive in the tropical Pacific waters of Panama during their annual migration.
In this area, they find warm, sheltered waters where they breed and stay with their calves.
Our trip takes place from August 15 to 23, 2027, right in the middle of the humpback whale season.
This makes August an especially attractive time to combine diving in Coiba with whale watching.
Best time to dive in Coiba
You can dive at Coiba year-round, but each season offers different conditions and wildlife encounters.
The dry season runs roughly from mid-December to mid-May, while the rainy season lasts from June to November.
For Wild Sanctuary, we chose August 2027 for a very specific reason: it coincides with the season when humpback whales are present and breeding in the Panamanian Pacific waters.
It is also a great time for encounters with large pelagic species.
We didn't choose the date solely based on the weather, but rather on what we hope to find underwater.
Shark diving in Coiba
One of the great attractions of diving in Coiba is the chance to encounter different shark species on a single expedition.
Depending on the area and conditions, we may encounter bull sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and whale sharks, as well as other reef shark species.
In the Contreras archipelago, for instance, hammerhead sharks are a particular highlight during certain times of the year.
Santa Catalina:
Gateway to Coiba
Santa Catalina is one of the main gateways to Coiba National Park and will serve as our base for exploring the archipelago.
In addition to diving, we will have time to experience the local landscapes, mangroves, rivers, cuisine, and natural surroundings, discovering a part of Panama that lies off the beaten tourist path.
Underwater photography in Coiba
Coiba is particularly appealing for underwater photography featuring large pelagic species.
Sharks, manta rays, schools of fish, and reefs offer opportunities for wide-angle photography, while reef dives also allow for the discovery of smaller species.
During Wild Sanctuary, we will hold an underwater photography workshop with Borja García, featuring practical sessions during dive days, as well as image review and editing sessions on land.
Additionally, each participant will have access to professional photography sessions and the chance to enter the trip's photography contest.
Marine Life You May Encounter
Oceanic manta ray
Power supply currents
_edited_edited.png)
Bull shark
Coiba Coral Reefs
_edited.png)
Marine Tourtles
Reefs and currents
_edited_edited.png)
Hammerhead shark
Archipielago de Contreras
_edited_edited.png)
Humpback Whales
Birthing season
_edited.png)
Tiger Shark
Virgin reefs of Coiba
Killer Whales
Possible chance encounter
Stonefish
large congregations
Barracuda
Big banks
Small Groups - Full support from the Born to the Ocean team at all times. Personalized attention, your own pace, no mass tourism.
COMPLETE TRAVEL DOSSIER
Download the itinerary PDF
The dossier includes all details of the trip:Dive sites, accomodation, full itinerary, and booking conditions.
What’s included in the experience?
Include
-
Accommodation in Panama City and Santa Catalina with breakfast included
-
15 guided dives with professional guides and private boats — lunch and snacks included
-
Complete diving equipment, weights, and sinkers
-
Local transfers — Airport / Hotel / Dive Sites / Hotel
-
Entrance fees to Coiba National Park for 10 people per day
-
Operating and navigation permits required for activities in the park
-
Underwater photography workshop and underwater photography sessions
-
Photography contest and prizes for the winners
-
Coordination and support from the Born to the Ocean staff
-
Welcome dinner + official trip t-shirt
No include
-
International flights
-
Personal expenses
-
Mandatory diving insurance
-
Optional travel insurance
-
Tips
-
Meals and dinners not specified in the "Includes" section
-
Anything not specified in the "Includes" section
Why travel to Coiba with
Born to the Ocean?
Because we don’t design diving trips just to rack up dives, but to experience the ocean in a different way.
At Wild Sanctuary, we combine diving, underwater photography, nature, and local culture into a carefully curated experience from start to finish.
We travel in small groups, work with local operators, and provide expert guidance in both diving and photography.
We want you to discover Coiba from both the sea and the land, with time to observe, learn, and enjoy—without rushing.
And, above all, we want you to return home with more than just photographs: a deeper connection to the ocean and to the destination we’ve shared.
Dates & Booking
Coiba - Wild Sanctuary
From: €2,870
Available Dates:
15/08 to 23/08 2027
The estimated cost of the experience includes:
• Born to the Ocean Coordination Fee (Curatorship, organization, pre-trip support, group management, guidance, photography workshop, and photo sessions)
• Tourist services provided by independent local operators (Accommodation, diving activities, local transfers)
• Flights (not included)
Born to the Ocean acts solely as coordinator and curator of the experience.
Tourist services are provided directly by independent local operators.
