Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí is a national park in the Gulf of Chiriquí in the Pacific West of Panama.

Understand

Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí was founded in 1994 to protect 14,730 hectares or 36,400 acres of coral reef, mangrove swamp and marine meadow. This area of the gulf is also dotted with islands covered in forests and white sand with air that is clean and temperate; making the islands the epitome of tropical paradise. Frommer’s Panama calls it “one of Panama’s best kept secrets.” Due to the many North American expatriates and retirees settling in the nearby tourist hot spot of Boquete, it may not be a secret for long.

Get in

From David’s Enrique Malek International Airport: Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí can be accessed by boat from the small fishing village of Boca Chica. Boca Chica is less than an hour from Enrique Malek Regional Airport in David. Alternatively, a five minute car ride from David to the nearby port of Pedregal will enable travelers to board a boat for the 50 minute scenic ride to the area. Construction has begun to expand David's airport to accommodate direct regular flights from the U.S. and Canada.

Get around

The archipelago can only be accessed by boat.

See

These islands are home to an astonishing array of land and water creatures; a naturalist's dream come true. The PNMGC consists of the archipelago of Las Isla Parida. The park is known for chances to see: green iguanas, humpback whales (from August to October), hammerhead sharks, dolphins and multiple species of sea turtle on the island beaches.

Do

There is plenty to do at Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí. In addition to scuba and snorkeling in the turquoise waters, there is renowned sport fishing to be had further out into the Chiriquí gulf, just beyond the park. Sport fishing is especially popular near Hannibal Bank, Islas Ladrones, Islas Secas, Boca Brava and Isla Palenque.

Eat

There are two restaurants in the small fishing village of Boca Chica: Wahoo Willy's and the restaurant in the fishing lodge, Gone Fishing.

Sleep

Camping is allowed in cabins on the main island in the park, Isla Parida, but most people stay on the mainland in nearby Boca Chica. Try Seagull Cove. There are a few places to stay on other islands in the area. The backpacker-friendly Hotel Boca Brava is on Boca Brava. The new boutique eco-resort, The Resort at Isla Palenque, is a private island resort community which opened in 2013. It has 10 rooms and plans to build several vacation homes for rent starting 2014.

Go next

Boat back to the port of Pedregal or Boca Chica.