Islas Ladrones (Los Ladrones) is an island in the Gulf of Chiriquí in the Pacific West of Panama.

Understand

Islas Ladrones is located 40 km south of Boca Chica.

Ladrones means “thief” in Spanish.

Get in

The island can be accessed by boat from Boca Chica or Pedregal, the port near David.

Get around

The island is just 500 m in diameter.

See

The concentration of fish life is stunning and divers can see schools of jack, barracuda and snapper regularly. There are also smaller reef species like king angelfish, damselfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, wrasse, gobies, blennies and moorish idols.

From May to November giant manta rays make an appearance. Other species including eagle, mobula and devil are seen year round. As for shark, white-tip, black-tip and nurse are the most frequently seen throughout the year. At certain times of year, humpback whales swim through the area, frequently with their calves.

Do

Travelers say the scuba diving is incredible here with a diving visibility of 30-80 m near the island. Snorkelling is also quite good here.

For sport fishing checkout Boca Chica.

Eat, drink and sleep

Check out the other islands of the gulf.