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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Americas

Americas

Panama

Two oceans in one country: a protected Pacific marine park, humpbacks from both hemispheres and easy Caribbean reefs.

Palm trees leaning over a quiet beach in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Beach in Bocas del Toro · Photo: Camilo Pinaud on Unsplash
Exploring

Ethics pass, with care. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard, as long as we work with the right local operator. Checked by Ocean Calling on 26 Sep 2026. Sources: Key rules for whale watching during whale season in Panama, Newsroom Panama, 2026; For Panama's whale watching season, scientists offer tips, Smithsonian Magazine, 2021.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 30 Sep 2026. The US State Department rates Panama at Level 2, exercise increased caution, because of crime, in a search snippet dated 19 Aug 2026. It says do not travel to the Mosquito Gulf or parts of the Darien Region. Smartraveller advises a high degree of caution. Sources: US State Department travel advisory, Panama · Smartraveller travel advice, Panama Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

FreedivingScubaSnorkellingWhalesWhale sharks

Why Panama

Panama has two coasts in one small country. On the Pacific side, Coiba National Park and the Gulf of Chiriquí shelter reefs, rays, sharks and turtles, with whale sharks and manta rays possible in the dry season. Humpback whales come from both hemispheres: southern whales from July to October and a smaller northern group from December to April, and they are watched only from the boat, as the law asks. Around Isla Iguana, whale mothers and calves pass close to the coast, and at Isla Cañas olive ridley turtles come ashore in mass nesting nights. On the Caribbean side, Bocas del Toro offers warm, easy reef dives, and the Guna Yala islands offer snorkelling and a living indigenous culture.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

United States of AmericaHaitiDominican Rep.BahamasMexicoBrazilPeruColombiaPanamaCosta RicaNicaraguaHondurasEl SalvadorGuatemalaBelizeVenezuelaGuyanaSurinameFranceEcuadorPuerto RicoJamaicaCubaTrinidad and TobagoSanta Catalina and Coiba, PanamaGulf of Chiriquí, PanamaPearl Islands, PanamaIsla Iguana and Isla Cañas, PanamaBocas del Toro and Bastimentos, PanamaGuna Yala, Panama

When to go

Year-round. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Ethics pass, with care

Good with the right operator. Here is how we choose.

Panama has clear whale watching rules: boats keep 250 m from whales, go slow, and swimming or diving near whales is not allowed. But scientists saw boats follow too close for too long and people jump in to swim with mothers and calves. So we choose only calm, rule following boats, watch from a distance, and dive on protected reefs like Coiba without touching or feeding.

Checked 26 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
Places we are exploring

Where in Panama

Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.

Santa Catalina and Coiba

Exploring

A protected marine park with rich reefs, sharks, rays and turtles, where whale sharks and mantas may pass in the dry season.

🤿 In the water: Reef fish and schooling jacks, Sharks, including hammerheads (possible), Manta rays (possible, Mar-May), Turtles

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Whale sharks (possible, Jan-Mar, from the boat, as park rules ask), Humpback whales (Jul-Oct, from the boat), Pantropical spotted dolphins (from the boat), Bottlenose dolphins (from the boat)

When: Year-round. Diving runs all year. January to May brings cooler water and pelagic visitors. Humpbacks visit from July to October. Until about April 2028 the park has building works, so visits are day trips only.

Gulf of Chiriquí

Exploring

Quiet Pacific islands where humpbacks from both hemispheres visit and whale sharks may pass in the dry season.

🤿 In the water: Reef fish, Rays, Hammerheads (possible, experienced divers)

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Whale sharks (possible, Dec to Apr, seen from the boat, never promised)

When: Dec-Apr, Jul-Oct. Southern humpbacks visit from July to October and a smaller northern group from December to April.

Pearl Islands

Exploring

An island group near Panama City where southern humpback whales come to breed and raise their calves.

🤿 In the water: Rocky reefs and reef fish

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Humpback whales (Jul-Oct, from the boat), Bottlenose and spotted dolphins (from the boat)

When: Jul-Oct. Humpbacks breed and raise calves here from July to October. Ferries run daily from Panama City.

Isla Iguana and Isla Cañas

Exploring

A small reef refuge where whale mothers and calves pass, and a beach where olive ridley turtles nest in their thousands.

🤿 In the water: Coral reef, Reef fish

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Humpback mothers and calves (Jul-Oct, from the boat), Nesting olive ridley turtles (Jul-Dec, with local guides)

When: Jul-Nov. Humpbacks visit from July to October. Mass turtle nesting nights happen from July to December, most often September to November.

Rules and fees: Isla Iguana is a wildlife refuge with a daily visitor limit, and the entry fee is paid online before the visit. Foreign visitors pay 10 balboas, children under 12 enter free, and everyone leaves the island by 3 pm.

Bocas del Toro and Bastimentos

Exploring

Caribbean islands with warm, easy reef diving for beginners, nesting turtles and a rich local culture.

🤿 In the water: Coral reef life, Caribbean reef fish, Nurse sharks (occasional), Turtles

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Nesting leatherback and hawksbill turtles (seasonal, with local guides)

When: Feb-May, Sep-Nov. September to November often brings calmer seas and the clearest water. February to May is another good window.

Guna Yala

Exploring

Guna-governed Caribbean islands for snorkelling, sailing and culture. Tank diving is not allowed here.

🤿 In the water: Shallow coral reef, Reef fish

Animals

Animals recorded in Panama

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Humpback whale swimming close with long pectoral finHumpback whaleMegaptera novaeangliaeSeen in 87 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHuge spotted whale shark gliding through open blue waterWhale sharkRhincodon typusSeen in 54 countries in the AtlasEndangeredScalloped hammerhead shark cruising in deep blue Red Sea waterScalloped hammerheadSphyrna lewiniSeen in 57 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredGiant oceanic manta with T-shaped white shoulder patches and remorasOceanic manta ray (giant manta)Mobula birostrisSeen in 31 countries in the AtlasEndangeredMunk's devil ray swimming above others in blue waterMunk's devil rayMobula munkianaSeen in 4 countries in the AtlasVulnerableOlive ridley turtles nesting on Playa Ostional, Costa RicaOlive ridley turtleLepidochelys olivaceaSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasVulnerableHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredLeatherback hatchling crossing the sand toward the seaLeatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceaSeen in 76 countries in the AtlasVulnerableCommon bottlenose dolphin swimming over a seagrass bedCommon bottlenose dolphinTursiops truncatusSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPantropical spotted dolphin gliding at the calm ocean surfacePantropical spotted dolphinStenella attenuataSeen in 56 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBryde’s whale surfacing and exhaling in deep blue open oceanBryde's whaleBalaenoptera edeniSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernFalse killer whale surging through blue water off Rota, Mariana IslandsFalse killer whalePseudorca crassidensSeen in 41 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedCaribbean reef shark swimming close over a reef in the BahamasCaribbean reef sharkCarcharhinus pereziSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasEndangeredAntillean manatee swimming in clear blue water, seen from belowAntillean manateeTrichechus manatus manatusSeen in 14 countries in the AtlasEndangeredBull shark swimming in clear blue water off Quintana Roo, MexicoBull sharkCarcharhinus leucasSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasVulnerableGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerableWhitetip reef sharks resting stacked in a reef creviceWhitetip reef sharkTriaenodon obesusSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasVulnerableLarge school of chevron barracuda in deep blue waterChevron barracudaSphyraena qenieSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSchool of bigeye trevally swirling near the seabed at AmedBigeye trevallyCaranx sexfasciatusSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernShort-finned pilot whale surfacing off Tenerife with the island behindShort-finned pilot whaleGlobicephala macrorhynchusSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo spinner dolphins swimming over sand in clear waterSpinner dolphinStenella longirostrisSeen in 66 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPod of common dolphins surfacing in calm blue seaCommon dolphinDelphinus delphisSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPair of blue-footed boobies on lava rock, Isla Isabela, GalápagosBlue-footed boobySula nebouxiiSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat barracuda cruising in open blue water, showing jagged teethGreat barracudaSphyraena barracudaSeen in 84 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMale magnificent frigatebird perched on a mangrove branchMagnificent frigatebirdFregata magnificensSeen in 52 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScarred Risso's dolphin spyhopping out of the waterRisso's dolphinGrampus griseusSeen in 56 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernStriped dolphin leaping, dark flank stripe clearly visibleStriped dolphinStenella coeruleoalbaSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo rough-toothed dolphins leaping together, blotchy grey skin visibleRough-toothed dolphinSteno bredanensisSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBlacktip shark swimming in green water in the GalápagosBlacktip sharkCarcharhinus limbatusSeen in 49 countries in the AtlasVulnerableNurse shark swimming over a reef at Fernando de Noronha, BrazilAtlantic nurse sharkGinglymostoma cirratumSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasVulnerableWhitespotted eagle ray gliding over reef and sand in BelizeWhitespotted eagle rayAetobatus narinariSeen in 58 countries in the AtlasEndangeredLemon shark seen from above, gliding over a pale sandy seabedLemon sharkNegaprion brevirostrisSeen in 16 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSouthern stingray resting on white sand, St John, US Virgin IslandsSouthern stingrayHypanus americanusSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedRed lionfish with spread fins over sand in Dauin, PhilippinesLionfish (red and common lionfish)Pterois volitans and Pterois milesSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCommon octopus crawling over a rocky seabed in FranceCommon octopusOctopus vulgarisSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLongsnout seahorse holding a red sponge stalk with its tail against blue waterLongsnout seahorseHippocampus reidiSeen in 25 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedNassau grouper with its mouth open, photographed at Los Indios in Jardines de la Reina, CubaNassau grouperEpinephelus striatusSeen in 20 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredWedge-tailed shearwaters resting togetherWedge-tailed shearwaterArdenna pacificaSeen in 46 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMasked booby on Ascension IslandMasked boobySula dactylatraSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBlack noddy perched in a shrub on Tern Island, French Frigate ShoalsBlack noddyAnous minutusSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernDiver beside an Atlantic goliath grouper at Dry Tortugas National ParkGoliath grouperEpinephelus itajaraSeen in 25 countries in the AtlasVulnerableQueen conch with a reddish spiny shell resting on seagrass over sandy seabedQueen conchAliger gigasSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedTwo Peruvian boobies with white heads perched facing each other on a rock ledgePeruvian boobySula variegataSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSailfish swimming in open blue water, seen from below, with its long bill and tall dorsal finSailfishIstiophorus platypterusSeen in 31 countries in the AtlasVulnerableClose view of a red-footed booby head with blue, pink and red bill and throat skin among green leavesRed-footed boobySula sulaSeen in 91 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTarpon swimming in open blue water with a dense school of small fish behind it, off St John in the US Virgin IslandsAtlantic tarponMegalops atlanticusSeen in 24 countries in the AtlasVulnerableAmerican crocodile resting on a sandy river bank at the water's edge in Costa RicaAmerican crocodileCrocodylus acutusSeen in 17 countries in the AtlasVulnerableCrowd of brown pelicans packed together on a coastal roost, one adult with a pale head and coloured bill facing the cameraBrown pelicanPelecanus occidentalisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCaribbean spiny lobster at the edge of a reef overhang with long antennae trailing across sandCaribbean spiny lobsterPanulirus argusSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasData DeficientHuge flock of sooty shearwaters flying low over the sea beside a rocky coastSooty shearwaterArdenna griseaSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedManx shearwater banking just above the sea, white underparts and dark upperparts visibleManx shearwaterPuffinus puffinusSeen in 34 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernNeotropic cormorant perched among willow branches beside the waterNeotropic cormorantNannopterum brasilianumSeen in 29 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSargasso shearwater gliding over a grey sea, dark above and pale belowSargasso shearwater (Audubon's shearwater)Puffinus lherminieriSeen in 27 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAnhinga holding a fish in its long, pointed billAnhinga (American darter)Anhinga anhingaSeen in 24 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTahiti petrel in flight over the sea, dark above with a white bellyTahiti petrelPseudobulweria rostrataSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedClose view of an adult Nazca booby with a pale orange bill and dark face mask, perched on a rock on EspañolaNazca boobySula grantiSeen in 12 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernYellow stingray resting on a dark reef floor, its round disc covered in pale spotsYellow stingrayUrobatis jamaicensisSeen in 10 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
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