The Chiriqui National Marine Park covers 14,740 hectares of islands and sea off Panama’s western Pacific coast and is home to over 20 stunning islands many uninhabited. The best way to reach the park is from Boca Chica which is roughly a 50 minutes drive from David, the capital of Chiriqui Province. A visit to the Chiriqui National Marine Park is a must-do for those seeking beauty, wildlife and adventure, and I was grateful to visit this extraordinary place last October during my two-week trip to Panama.

I arrived at the lovely boutique Hotel Bocas del Mar after a long adventurous day visiting the Soloy Indigenous Community in the highlands of Chiriqui province. The sun was already dipping below the horizon but it was evident how extraordinarily beautiful the setting was.  Located 2 kilometers from Boca Chica, the hotel is the perfect getaway for nature-lovers and those seeking tranquility. Perched high above the ocean, the resort overlooks the start of Chiriqui National Marine Park and is the perfect launching off point for exploring the park.

Sunset over Hotel Bocas del Mar, Boca Chica, Panama

After a delightful dinner, it was time to get to bed as the next day would include a four-hour whale watching session following by snorkeling and visit to a few of of the islands in the Chiriqui National Marine Park. As I turned the lights off, I instantly feel asleep and woke to the sound of the birds welcoming a new day.

Sunrise over the Chiriqui Marine National Park is a beautiful experience where those who love birding are in for a rare treat.

After a sunrise walk through the resort’s bird sanctuary, it was time for a Panamanian breakfast and then off to meet our friendly guide Gill from Step by Step Travel at the hotel’s private dock. There, we met our captain Raul who has been running tours of the park for over 30 years.

View of the hotel’s private dock and our captain for the day.

The Chiriqui National Marine Park was established in 1994 and covers 60 square miles (150 square km) of marine ecosystems including 25 pristine islands, 19 coral reefs and precious mangroves. The park is known for its white sand, palm-framed beaches, its diverse wildlife and fantastic, accessible snorkeling. During the months from July through October it is also known for its whale-watching when Humpback whales travel thousands of miles south to have their babies.

If you are lucky (as we were), you can see plenty of mama humpback whales teaching their babies the basics such as how to flap their fins, jump and play. It is an incredible thing to witness especially from nearby in a small boat. I was also grateful to know that Step by Step promotes ethical, responsible whale-watching tours meaning you are only able to get a certain distance near the whales and also must turn off the engine when you are watching mother and baby.

Isla Bolaños, Chiriqui National Marine Park, Panama

After whale-watching, it was on to visit our first of two islands, Isla Bolaños, where we enjoyed a fresh lunch of monos, an easy traditional meal of frijoles (red beans), rice and chicken and plantains wrapped in a banana leaf. After lunch, it was snorkeling right off the beach where we saw lots of different types of colorful fish and corals. We had the entire island and beach to ourselves and it was fantastic!

Isla Gamez in the Chiriqui National Marine Park

Our next island stop was at Isla Gamez where we were fortunate to see a mama humpback whale teaching her baby new tricks in the water a short distance away. I tried to capture it on film but was in the water snorkeling. It was such a gift! I could have spent the entire day snorkeling and lounging about the beach but there were other plans in store for me. We would be driving six hours across Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast for the rest of my Panama adventure. There was no time to linger.

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Getting There

Visitors can get to Boca Chica, which is 266 miles from Panama City by car (a 6-hour ride), or by flying to David, Chiriqui and then traveling by car or bus for an additional hour. Bus service from David to Boca Chica is limited, so we recommend you organize your transportation in advance with your local tour operator. Stay at the lovely Hotel Bocas del Mar where you can unwind, relax and explore this incredible part of Panama.