If you are planning to dive for several days and would like to explore more of Coiba National Park, we also offer trips to the Contreras area. These remote islands lie about 1 hour 45 min to 2 hours from Santa Catalina.

The sites here are more isolated, and it’s rare to see another boat or diver. You’ll find large fan corals unique to this part of the park, massive schools of snapper, barracuda, and bigeye jacks, long-tail stingrays, eagle rays, and—during March and April—sometimes schools of hammerhead sharks.

Because the dives in Contreras can be deeper and occasionally have stronger currents, these trips are reserved for divers with more than 30 logged dives and recent experience. We also dive with Nitrox to extend bottom time and safety. (If you’re not certified, we can offer the Nitrox course or a “Dive Today” option before the trip.)

We meet at the dive shop at 7:00 am to leave as early as possible for this full-day adventure.

Contreras is best suited for experienced divers spending multiple days with us, as it’s a great complement to the rest of Coiba’s dive sites—not a replacement, but an extension of what the park has to offer. Many of our most seasoned divers say that both areas deliver equally incredible diving experiences, each with its own highlights.

Price with Nitrox 32% for 2 dives: $200 

Third dive with Nitrox 32%: $40  (In the rainy season the third dive cannot be guaranteed due to weather conditions and our concern for safety)

Included: equipment (also dive computer), lunch, fruit and water

Not included: park entrance fees ($20 for foreigners, $5 for panameños and residents, must be paid in cash) 

If you are not Nitrox certified:

Add Nitrox certification: $185 (includes theory, practical applications and certification)

Add “Dive Today”: $35 (includes an introduction to Nitrox diving and 1 practical application)