WHALE WATCHING PANAMA | WHEN IS WHALE SEASON?
Experience the thrill of whale watching Panama, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. From July to October, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Panama’s warm waters, making it one of the world’s top spots for whale watching Panama.
Discover the best times and places to see these majestic creatures, with Coiba National Park as the ultimate viewing destination. Dive into our guide to plan your perfect whale watching Panama adventure!
Experience the magic of whale watching in Panama
With its ideal location in the Caribbean waters and the Pacific Ocean, Panama features some of the most breathtaking views of whales.
Here, multiple migrations of humpback whales occur annually, leading the Central American country to become one of the top humpback whale-watching destinations. From July to October, whale watching Panama season occurs offering an incredibly high success rate of viewing whales.
When is whale season in Panama?
While multiple months in Panama offer the opportunity to view these majestic creatures, the highest chance of visibility is between late June and October, also known as peak whale season in Panama. In particular, September is the best month for whale watching in Panama, as it's considered the peak month for whale migration.
During these months, 2,000+ whales migrate from Antarctica to Panama's waters to birth and raise their young in a warmer location. Young whales are born with low body fat, making it necessary for humpback mothers to travel to warmer locations for the birthing process. Because of this massive migration, the potential for seeing whales in Panama is high during migratory months.
While July through October is peak whale season (Panama), January through March offers additional opportunities for viewing these marine mammals, but only in certain locations. These months offer warm waters for whales from the opposite side of the equator.
Top locations for whale watching Panama
Multiple locations offer breathtaking views of whales in Panama, such as the Taboga Islands and Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama, near Panama City.
However, out of the available amazing whale-watching locations, one stands out above the others. This top location for whale watching in Panama is Coiba National Park, found off Panama's Pacific Coast, as it's one of the only locations where whales migrate from both the northern and southern hemispheres. This double migration causes two distinct whale viewing seasons at the park. This national park, also known as a UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site, is a hidden gem featuring breathtaking natural scenery.
This national park was once restricted and used as a penal colony, which allowed its natural beauty to remain relatively untouched, promoting biodiversity. Because of the mesmerizing biodiversity in Coiba National Park, nature enthusiasts have made a point of spending time at the park when possible now that the park has opened to the public. A mandatory park permit is in effect, allowing the site to remain unaffected by mass tourism.
Now, those granted permission to visit can explore the waters through multiple methods, including whale-watching tours, surfing, and scuba diving.
What is the best time to travel to Coiba National Park for seeing whales in Panama?
While humpback whales can be seen year-round in Coiba National Park, certain months provide even better whale watching Panama opportunities.
Between the months of July and October, peak whale watching season occurs. During this time, visitors can see the whales migrating through the waters from the southern hemisphere. Typically, this migration features a larger number of whales, causing a 95% chance of viewing these mammals during a visit. The water during this whale migration season is typically calmer, creating an ideal setting for whale watchers.
The best months for viewing whales during this migration are August and September. The second migration occurs from December to April, which includes whales migrating from the northern hemisphere near the Pacific Northwest. This population is generally smaller, though the likelihood of seeing whales during this time is still high. As it's dry season, it can be rougher on the water due to the wind. However, additional marine life can be viewed during this migration season, such as fin whales.
OFF ROADS TRAVEL
If you're eager to explore the hidden gems and untouched beauty of Panama, a journey with a local guide, deeply connected to Panama's diverse landscapes, offers an unparalleled adventure. Our expertise in curating tours across Panama ensures you encounter the most authentic and immersive experiences. Embark with us to uncover Panama's rich tapestry of culture, nature, and history, where every adventure is a gateway to discovering something extraordinary.
"Did you know? Humpback whales are known for their mesmerizing songs, which can last up to 20 minutes and travel for miles underwater. These complex vocalizations are believed to play a role in communication and mating rituals."
How to see whales in Panama?
The primary method for whale watchers to view these gigantic marine creatures is with whale watching trips. These Panama whale-watching tours offer breathtaking views of whales, among other marine wildlife, while aboard a boat. Though you can set up a whale watching tour on your own, specific viewing locations, like Coiba National Park, feature additional requirements that can cause the process to be challenging.
Avoid a cumbersome process by booking a tour through Off Roads Travel, a company focusing on unique tours provided by native guides. Scheduling an excursion through Off Roads Travel ensures any necessary documents and permits are acquired for the selected destinations. With an array of Panama excursions, ranging from single-day offerings that travel to highly-desired locations, such as one-day Coiba National Park options to multi-day tours that visit each of the national parks in the country, Off Roads Travel has offerings for every traveler.
With an excursion to Coiba National Park, travelers can experience the magic of marine life and humpback whales up close while boating to the marine park. This memorable experience provides views of various creatures, depending on the time of year. With a multi-day excursion, travelers may find themselves snorkeling amongst the vibrant marine wildlife at Coiba.
Our local partners will manage the essential paperwork on your behalf, granting you direct access to the national park. In doing so, we've simplified the process, allowing you to immediately enjoy in the beauty of Coiba.
"Coiba National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its rich biodiversity and outstanding natural beauty. This recognition highlights the global importance of preserving the park's unique ecosystems."
Marine life visible while whale watching in Panama
Though the focus typically falls on humpback whales, many types of marine life is visible while on a whale watching tour.
Other marine life which can be seen during an excursion include whale sharks, sperm whales, blue whales, minke whales, twelve varieties of dolphines (including bottlenose dolphins), manta rays, exotic fish, and sea turtles.
Whale watchers electing to view the wildlife from Coiba National Park will have the opportunity to view additional wildlife on land, such as birds, monkeys, iguanas, and crocodiles. With over 147 bird species found on the island, Coiba is also a bird lover's paradise.
"Humpback whales can migrate up to 16,000 miles each year, making one of the longest migrations of any mammal on Earth. This epic journey takes them from feeding grounds in polar regions to breeding grounds in warmer tropical waters like those found in Panama."
Whale watching Panama tips
As Panama focuses on wildlife conservation, rules and regulations have been set in place to protect nature and the wildlife in the area. The following set of guidelines allows for the best whale-watching Panama excursion that protects both the viewer and the wildlife.
- Swimming is not permitted with humpback whales, so the only option for up-close viewing is with a boat tour.
- While on a tour, it's imperative that whale watchers remain calm and quiet. Sudden movements and sounds can disturb the whales and impede communication between them.
- Feeding, touching, or trying to touch the whales is also not permitted. When viewing the whales, visitors must keep their hands inside the boat and away from the wildlife.
- For a higher chance of viewing the whales in person, opt for a visit during peak season (July to October). If possible, visit during September for higher chances of viewing the whales.
- Book a tour for Coiba in The Gulf of Chiriquí. This location is known for offering an environment where the whales feel more comfortable getting closer to the boat, providing a more memorable experience for travelers.
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