Coiba Island
Located off the Pacific Coast of Panama, Coiba Island is part of the province of Veraguas and the district of Montijo. At 503 square kilometers (194 square miles), Coiba Island is the largest island in all of Central America.
Coiba was originally home to the Cacique Indian tribe until Spanish settlement and conquest circa 1560. The island remained largely uninhabited until 1919, when authorities built a penal colony on the island. The colony was known and feared for its brutality and was finally closed in 2004. The entire island was declared a national park in 1992. In 2005, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Coiba Island a world heritage site.
Coiba’s isolation and lack of development has led to the evolution of distinct species of flora and fauna. Subspecies unique to the island include the Coiba Island howler monkey, the Coiba agouti and the Coiba spinetail. It is also a haven for the scarlet macaw, a bird species endangered in the rest of Panama.
Coiba also has a unique ocean topography that has led to population by rare species of fish and underwater mammals. Coiba is linked to the Galápagos Islands by the underwater Coco Ridge mountain chain. This protects the island and the surrounding waters from the effects of El Nino. As a result, the waters host several species yet to be discovered or classified by humankind. To date, scientists have found more than 760 different species of fish. These include Snapper, Amberjack, Barracuda and three types of Marlin.
Fishing Coiba Island an angler’s dream. The waters host abundant schools of some of the most exotic game fish in the world. If you decide to fish in Coiba while in Panama, there’s a good chance you will catch something that you have never seen before. Roosterfish, Cubera snapper, Wahoo, Snook and Pacific Tarpon are some of the species that you can catch when you fish Coiba. You also can find plenty of the staples of sport fishing like Black Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna. Fishing Coiba is a Panama experience that you won’t forget.
Hannibal Banks
Hannibal Banks is a sea-mount located approximately 20
miles west of Coiba Island. It was named after the USS Hannibal, a converted steamship purchased by the United States Navy. The ship’s crew discovered the banks in 1914 while doing survey work for the Panama Canal.
The Hannibal Banks rise sharply from the ocean floor from several thousand feet to just over a hundred feet deep. This creates a strong “up-welling” of the ocean currents which results in cooler, deeper and more nutrient-rich water replacing the surface water. The constant replenishment of the water with nutrients attracts smaller baitfish. The baitfish, in turn, attract large numbers of sport trophy fish.
The abundance of these big game fish makes the Hannibal Banks one of the most popular sport fishing destinations in the Western Hemisphere. The Panamanian military will useaggressive enforcement against any violators because commercial fishing is strictly prohibited. El Rio Negro Lodge and other sport fishing charters cooperate with the government by reporting any illegal activity. As a result, the Hannibal Banks maintains its abundant supply of sport fish despite the fact that fishing in Hannibal Banks has become more popular over the past twenty years.
If you are looking for big game such as Marlin, Sailfish or Yellowfin Tuna, the Hannibal Banks is a mecca for these fish. The months of December through April are when these fish are at their peak. But, Hannibal Banks is sufficiently populated with fish all year round. There arestill great catches to be made during the off season. “Fishing season” is a relative term here, with abundant supply year round.
At El Rio Negro Lodge, we regularly run charters to Coiba Island and Hannibal Banks. We have a full fleet of fishing boats specifically designed for sport fishing. Acaptain and crew that know the fishing in the area run our boats. Conveniently located in Playa Reina, the Lodge sits next to the Black River or “Rio Negro”. It is just a quick jaunt over to both Coiba Island and the Hannibal Banks. We are a family-owned business and have been operating sport fishing tours since 1995. We know that when you stay with us, you are looking to have the fishing adventure of a lifetime.
Whether you want to go fishing at Coiba Island or fishing at the Hannibal Banks, we will create an experience that you will always remember. If you have any questions, please contact us. We will work with you and your group to create the perfect sport fishing package that will create memories for a lifetime.
FAQs
To access the park, you'll need a permit, which can be obtained with the assistance of tour operators offering fishing, diving and ecotours. The island can be accessed by boat from several locations in Panamá, but the quickest trip is an hour and fifteen-minute boat ride from Santa Catalina in Veraguas.
Is Coiba Island inhabited? ›
The island was essentially uninhabited until 1919, when a prison colony was established on part of the island. The prison closed in 2004 and Coiba National Park was created by the Panamanian government. A year later, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How do I get from Santa Catalina to Coiba? ›
Santa Catalina to Coiba.
To get to Coiba, you'll need to arrange for a boat or join a boat tour. The trip to the park ranger station (Estación Gambute) takes approximately one hour. There are several neat points on the Island to explore (more on that in an upcoming post!), but you'll need a boat to reach them.
Where is the Hannibal Bank? ›
The Hannibal Bank is located roughly 50 miles off the coast in the Gulf of Chiriqui in western Panama. This natural underwater formation was found in 1914 by the USS Hannibal when doing survey work for the Panama Canal.
Is Coiba Island worth visiting? ›
If you visit Santa Catalina, Isla Coiba is a must. Even if you don't scuba or snorkel just head out there and embrace the well preserved National Park which was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO back in 2005. We went with Coiba Express and we enjoyed ourselves.
Can you sleep on Coiba Island? ›
Overnight on Isla Coiba
The only overnight facility available in the Coiba National Park is at the ANAM ranger station on Isla Coiba. The station offers several modest 2 room cabins with air conditioning. To Contact ANAM call (507) 998-0615, fax (507) 998-4387, or the National Park office (507) 998-4271.
What animals are in Coiba Island? ›
The exuberant vegetation includes sections of virgin or un-touched, primary forest where a number of bird species can be observed: Bi-colored Hawk, White-throated Thrush, Lance-tailed Manakin, and the endemic Brown-backed Dove among others. Of course the Howler Monkeys are also often observed and always heard.
What is the meaning of Coiba? ›
: a Cunan people of southwestern Panama. b. : a member of such people. 2. : the Chibchan language of the Coiba people.
What animals are endemic to Coiba Island? ›
There is an endemic species of mammals: the Coiban agouti (Dasyprocta coibae) and three subspecies: Batty's opossum (Didelphis marsupiales battyi), the Coiban howler monkey (Alouatta palliata coibensis), which is among the largest monkeys in the New World, and a deer (Odocoileus virginianus rotschildi).
Is Santa Catalina, Panama worth visiting? ›
Santa Catalina is a small surf town on the Pacific side of Panama. It is a pretty remote town, with not many facilities. But what it lacks in terms of conveniences, it makes up in vibes and surf. It is also the jumping off point for the iconic Isla Coiba and the Coiba National Marine Park.
You can get to Catalina Island by passenger ferry boat from four mainland ports in southern California. The ferry is the most popular way to Catalina and the ride is only about an hour. The Catalina Express offers service from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. Book Catalina Express ferry tickets online.
Where is the best fishing in Panama? ›
Panama's year-round fishery offers anglers a chance at monster blue and black marlin that are frequent in the area. The best marlin action is offshore at Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa. Pinas Bay is legendary for its record-setting blue, black, and striped marlin action.
Where is the best place to marlin fish in Panama? ›
We are closest to the marlin hotspots at the Hannibal Bank, Isla Montuosa, and the 100-fathom line that runs along the southern edge of the Gulf of Chiriquí. These locations consistently tend to be the best areas to find Black and Blue Marlin.
How do I get to Coiba Island from David? ›
There is no direct connection from David to Isla de Coiba. However, you can take the bus to San Juan then take the travel to Isla de Coiba. Alternatively, you can take the bus to Tolé then take the travel to Isla de Coiba.
How do I get from Panama City to Coiba National Park? ›
The Coiba National Park can be reached by air flying from Panama City to the City of Santiago in 20 minutes, or by road (245 kilometers) in five hours. Once in Santiago, take the road (25 kilometers) that leads to Puerto Mutis, to travel by sea to the island.
Is it possible to visit the Panama Canal? ›
If you've got the time, you can experience the Panama Canal by cruising through the locks on a tourist boat. Here are a few options for you to consider: The Pacific Queen Panama Cruise tourist boat offers a partial transit of the Panama Canal (6+ hours) and a full transit of the Panama Canal.
miles west of Coiba Island. It was named after the USS Hannibal, a converted steamship purchased by the United States Navy. The ship’s crew discovered the banks in 1914 while doing survey work for the Panama Canal.