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

Panama · Gulf of Chiriquí and Boca Chica

Seasonal or restricted

Places and activities that depend on the season, new rules or owners' permission. Check the listing before booking.

4 places1 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    WildlifeSeasonal

    Humpback whale watching

    Waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, around the Paridas, Gámez and Bolaños islands.15.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Shared tour US$30
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Humpback whales come to the Gulf of Chiriquí to calve and nurse; the Paridas islands are their main refuge in the park. Tours leave from Boca Chica.

    Main season July to October, when South Pacific whales arrive to breed and calve (MiAmbiente, 2026). From December to March fewer North Pacific whales arrive (MiAmbiente, 2022); sightings are not guaranteed. Out of season, do an island or snorkel tour instead.

    Source: Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí: 32 años resguardando un santuario de vida – MiAmbiente · 2026 · +9

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Shared whale and three-island tour, in season (mid-July to late October, according to the operator): US$30 per person (Discover Boca Chica). Private with Boca Brava: US$150 per boat for 2 to 6 people, 6 to 8 hours. Published prices, checked October 2026; confirm the quote when booking.
    Time needed
    About 6 hours (9:30–15:30 on the shared trip).

    Tip: MiAmbiente rules (Resolution DM-0144-2022): 250 m from whales and 100 m from dolphins; 30 minutes max per group (15 with a calf); 4 knots speed limit; no swimming, diving, kayaking or paddling with them. Fines depend on the severity of the offence and double for repeat offences (MiAmbiente, 2025). One operator names August and September as the months with the most sightings.

    Nearby: Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park (0 km) · Isla Gámez (2 km) · Isla Parida (4.5 km)

    Sources: Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí: 32 años resguardando un santuario de vida – MiAmbiente · Hasta $6.000 de multa por poner en riesgo a las ballenas en Panamá – Infobae · ¿Cómo practicar un avistamiento responsable durante la temporada de ballenas? – MiAmbiente · Whale Watching in Panama – Visit Panama (ATP) · Shared Tours to the Gulf of Chiriquí – Discover Boca Chica Panama (operador) · Tours – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · Whale Watching Boca Chica Guide 2026 – Boca Brava Adventures · Whale Watching Gamez and Paridas Tour – Boca Brava Adventures (operador) · Comunicado: avistamiento de cetáceos (DM-0144-2022) – MiAmbiente, 25 ago. 2025 · MiAmbiente orienta y capacita a tour operadores para el respeto a las ballenas – 4 sep. 2025

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  2. 2

    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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  3. 3

    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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  4. 4

    WildlifeOpen

    Playa La Barqueta Agrícola Wildlife Refuge

    Guarumal, Alanje district, on the Playa La Barqueta coast.32.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    B/.5
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    MiAmbiente refuge on the Alanje coast where olive ridley turtles nest. Since 2020 rangers have patrolled the beach, moved nests to a hatchery and released the hatchlings.

    Source: Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Admission in MiAmbiente's system (2026): foreign adult B/.5; Panamanian adult B/.2; student B/.1; senior B/.1; under-12s free.
    Booking
    Entry is sold at reservasap.miambiente.gob.pa. Whether it is also charged on site is not confirmed by the official source at the time of review.

    Tip: Turtles nest mostly from July to December; MiAmbiente releases hatchlings between September and November. Dogs and vehicles on the beach threaten the nests: leave them behind.

    Nearby: Playa La Barqueta (6.8 km) · Puerto Pedregal (David) (11.8 km)

    Sources: Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente · Conservación y educación se fortalecen en jornada de liberación de tortugas marinas en La Barqueta – MiAmbiente · Conservación en acción en el Refugio Playa La Barqueta Agrícola – MiAmbiente · En el RVSP La Barqueta se preparan para el desove de tortugas marinas – MiAmbiente · Las tortugas marinas vuelven a depositar sus huevos en las playas panameñas – Infobae

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