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

Panama · Gulf of Chiriquí and Boca Chica

Whales and turtles

Humpback whales arrive from July to October, and in the same months turtles nest on the mainland beaches. Keep your distance and follow MiAmbiente's rules.

4 places

  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

    Find tours
  2. 2

    BeachOpen

    Isla Parida

    Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, off the David and San Lorenzo coast.18.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The largest island in the national marine park, with white-sand beaches (Playa Lanza and Playa Lagarto, also called Socorro), forest, trails and reefs. MiAmbiente names the Paridas archipelago as the park's main humpback whale refuge.

    Source: Isla Parida – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · 2025 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Camping is allowed with prior permission. MiAmbiente's system charges B/.20 for camping to foreign adults and B/.9 to Panamanians.
    Time needed
    20–30 min by boat from Boca Chica or 45 min to 1 h from Puerto Pedregal (David).

    Tip: Bring water, food, sunscreen, repellent and snorkel gear, and take your trash with you.

    Nearby: Isla Gámez (3.4 km) · Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park (4.5 km) · Humpback whale watching (4.5 km)

    Sources: Isla Parida – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí: 32 años resguardando un santuario de vida – MiAmbiente · Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente · MiAMBIENTE realiza mejoras en puestos de control y senderos del PN Marino Golfo de Chiriquí

    Find tours
  3. 3

    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

  4. 4

    BeachOpen

    Playa Las Lajas

    San Félix district, east of David; turnoff from the Pan-American Highway at San Félix.37.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Long grey-sand mainland beach with moderate surf and beachfront lodging. It is also a sea turtle nesting beach.

    Source: Playa Las Lajas – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · 2025 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    About 90 km and 1 h 30 min by car from David; by bus from the David terminal, about 1 h 45 min.

    Tip: Some guides say it has no dangerous currents, but SINAPROC carried out rescues here in 2026 and a tourist drowned in March 2026 during a strong-surf warning. Swim near lifeguards when present and do not enter the sea after drinking alcohol. Turtles nest mostly from July to December.

    Sources: Playa Las Lajas – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · SINAPROC fortalece la seguridad en Chiriquí con el Operativo Guardianes 2026 – MINGOB · American Tourist Drowns at Las Lajas Beach – Newsroom Panama · Las tortugas marinas vuelven a depositar sus huevos en las playas panameñas – Infobae · Las Lajas, beaches and mangroves – My Guide Panama

More guides for this destination