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Elevated view of wooded islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí in warm light.

Panama · Gulf of Chiriquí and Boca Chica

From Boca Chica

Boca Chica is the base for the gulf: island, whale, snorkel and fishing tours leave from its pier. Boca Brava is a few minutes away by boat.

5 places1 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    WaterOpen

    Boca Chica (village and pier)

    San Lorenzo coast, Chiriquí; reached via the Pan-American Highway and the Horconcitos turnoff, 1–1.5 hours by car from David.0 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Fishing village in San Lorenzo district and the main departure port for the Gulf of Chiriquí islands. Shared and private island, whale-watching and fishing tours leave from its public pier.

    Source: Visit the Gulf of Chiriqui – Visit Panama (ATP) · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Visit Panama warns that bus service from David to Boca Chica is limited and recommends arranging transport in advance. Wikivoyage describes another option: a bus from David to the Boca Chica turnoff, then a minibus or taxi to the pier via Horconcitos. Check connections before setting out.
    Time needed
    David to Boca Chica: Visit Panama estimates one extra hour after reaching David; Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí gives 1 h 30 min by car.

    Tip: Horconcitos, on the way, has the last large supermarket before the coast. One local operator's shared tours leave the public pier at 9:30.

    Nearby: Sport fishing from Boca Chica (0.1 km) · Three-island tour (Bolaños, Gámez and Parida) (0.2 km) · Boca Brava Island (5.2 km)

    Sources: Visit the Gulf of Chiriqui – Visit Panama (ATP) · Isla Gámez – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · Boca Chica – Wikivoyage · Blog – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · Tours Boca Chica (operador)

  2. 2

    NatureOpen

    Boca Brava Island

    Opposite Boca Chica, less than 1 km from the village and a few minutes away by boat. Sources disagree on whether the island belongs to the national marine park: it is not on MiAmbiente's list of park islands (2021).5.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Forested island facing the Boca Chica pier, with forest trails, howler monkeys and small beaches. Lodging ranges from family hostels to eco-lodges.

    Source: Boca Brava, uno de los secretos naturales mejor guardados del Golfo de Chiriquí – The Visitor · 2025 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    A few minutes by boat from the Boca Chica pier.

    Tip: One hotel on the island says it has 5 km of trails in its forest. Ask a boat in Boca Chica to drop you off and agree on the pickup time.

    Nearby: Three-island tour (Bolaños, Gámez and Parida) (5 km) · Sport fishing from Boca Chica (5.1 km) · Boca Chica (village and pier) (5.2 km)

    Sources: Boca Brava, uno de los secretos naturales mejor guardados del Golfo de Chiriquí – The Visitor · Boca Brava – Wikipedia · Hotel Boca Brava Lodge · MiAMBIENTE realiza mejoras en puestos de control y senderos del PN Marino Golfo de Chiriquí

  3. 3

    WaterOpen

    Three-island tour (Bolaños, Gámez and Parida)

    Departs from the Boca Chica pier.0.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $30
    Hours
    9:30 to 15:30
    Booking
    Not stated

    Day trip by boat from Boca Chica to three islands in the national marine park, with time to swim and snorkel. There are shared and private departures.

    Source: Shared Tours to the Gulf of Chiriquí – Discover Boca Chica Panama (operador) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Shared: US$30 per person (Discover Boca Chica and Boca Brava, checked October 2026). Other published prices: Boca Brava lists US$140 for Gámez and Bolaños; Tours Boca Chica lists US$180 for all three islands. Those pages do not specify the charging unit or tour format for those rates; confirm both with the operator before booking (checked October 2026). The park fee is paid separately unless the operator says otherwise.
    Hours
    Shared trip from 9:30 to 15:30 (about 6 hours). One operator runs the shared trip on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
    Booking
    Book directly with Boca Chica operators (WhatsApp or website).

    Tip: From July to October some operators combine this tour with whale watching.

    Nearby: Sport fishing from Boca Chica (0.1 km) · Boca Chica (village and pier) (0.2 km) · Boca Brava Island (5 km)

    Sources: Shared Tours to the Gulf of Chiriquí – Discover Boca Chica Panama (operador) · Tours – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · Tours Boca Chica (operador)

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  4. 4

    WaterRestricted access

    Islas Secas

    Gulf of Chiriquí, offshore southeast of Boca Chica.34.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Shared tour US$55
    Hours
    8:00 to 15:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    Offshore island group in the Gulf of Chiriquí, visited on snorkel tours from Boca Chica. MiAmbiente lists it among the whale-watching areas.

    Privately owned 14-island archipelago with a resort for its guests. Tours from Boca Chica snorkel in its waters; landing as a non-guest is not confirmed. For beach time, go to Parida, Gámez or Bolaños instead.

    Source: Islas Secas – Wikipedia · 2026 · +5

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Shared snorkel tour: US$55 per person, gear and food included (Discover Boca Chica). Private with Boca Brava: US$250 for 2 to 5 people, snorkel gear included, no food. Published prices, checked October 2026; confirm the quote when booking.
    Hours
    Shared trip from 8:00 to 15:00.

    Sources: Islas Secas – Wikipedia · Islas Secas (resort) · Shared Tours to the Gulf of Chiriquí – Discover Boca Chica Panama (operador) · Tours – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · ¿Cómo practicar un avistamiento responsable durante la temporada de ballenas? – MiAmbiente · Islas Secas Tour – Boca Brava Adventures (operador)

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  5. 5

    WaterOpen

    Sport fishing from Boca Chica

    Departs from the Boca Chica pier.0.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    From US$220 per group (4 h)
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Boca Chica operators run inshore and offshore fishing trips in the Gulf of Chiriquí. Sport fishing is regulated by ARAP and, inside the national marine park, by MiAmbiente.

    Source: Tours – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · 2026 · +7

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Inshore fishing with Boca Brava Adventures (published price, checked October 2026): from US$55 per hour, with a recommended minimum of 4 hours and up to 4 people; a 4-hour trip from US$220 per group, with boat, captain and gear, no food or drinks; 5% extra by card. Confirm the quote when booking. Offshore fishing: price not published.
    Booking
    On an authorised sport-fishing tour, the clients on board are covered for that trip by the captain's valid tourist card (Executive Decree 9 of 2026, scheduled to take effect on 10 December 2026). To fish outside that cover when over 12, the recreational card for foreigners costs B/.20 (7 days), B/.60 (30 days) or B/.150 (180 days) (Decree 9, annex IV). Decree 10 makes catch-and-release the general rule for marlin and sailfish, with specific legal exceptions.

    Tip: Inside the national marine park, fishing tournaments and spearfishing are banned. From 10 December 2026 (Executive Decree 9), check with the operator that the boat holds a sport-fishing tourism licence and the captain a valid tourist card.

    Nearby: Three-island tour (Bolaños, Gámez and Parida) (0.1 km) · Boca Chica (village and pier) (0.1 km) · Boca Brava Island (5.1 km)

    Sources: Tours – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · Inshore Fishing in Boca Chica – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · Panamá fortalece la pesca deportiva y refuerza la protección de los peces vela y marlines – La Prensa · Panamá protege al marlín y al pez vela al limitar su captura a la pesca deportiva – Infobae · Consulta pública: pesca deportiva de peces pico o picudos – ARAP · Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí: 32 años resguardando un santuario de vida – MiAmbiente · Decreto Ejecutivo n.º 9 de 10 de junio de 2026 (pesca deportiva) – ARAP / Gaceta Oficial 30543-E · Decreto Ejecutivo n.º 10 de 10 de junio de 2026 (peces pico) – ARAP / Gaceta Oficial 30543-E

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