Gulf of Chiriquí

This article is about the gulf on Panama's Pacific coast. For the lagoon on Panama's Caribbean coast, seeChiriquí Lagoon.

Map ofChiriquí Province

TheGulf of Chiriquíis a part ofPanamathat encompassesCoiba National ParkandGolfo de Chiriquí National Park.There are dozens of islands in this Gulf. Along with the islands ofCoiba National Parkthere are alsoIslas Secas,Isla Los Ladrones,Isla Parida,Isla Boca Brava,Isla Palenque,and Isla Montuosa.

Montuosa is the farthest island from Panama in this gulf. During certain seasons, you can even spotGalapagosseals on Montuosa. The Gulf of Chiriquí also includes one of the most famous big game fishing areas, Hannibal Bank, located just 13 miles east of Isla Montuosa and 20 miles west ofCoiba National Park.

Geography

• Boca Chica-Boca Chicais located 18 miles south of the IntraAmerican highway, via the community of Horconcitos, in the San Lorenzo District. It is a small village known as a popular jumping-off point for sportfishing in the Gulf of Chiriquí.

Islands

• Boca Brava and Isla Palenque-Boca Bravais about one-half mile fromBoca Chica.You can get to Boca Brava by water taxi. It is covered in untouched rain forests and home to multiple families of howler monkeys, as is the neighboring island,Isla Palenque.
• Islas Secas- TheIslas Secasis a group of sixteen islands.
• Isla Parida- Inside theGolfo de Chiriquí National Park.Located 12 miles offshore and southwest of Boca Chica. Dozens of smaller islands, that surround the main island of Isla Parida, are also encompassed inside the national park.
• Los Ladrones- Los Ladrones is a small group of four islands. The four islands are the only islands that appear above the surface. There are many islands that come up almost to the surface, some of them dangerous for boats. 300-foot-deep (91 m) channels also cut through the area, bringing in large fish and mammals.
• Isla Muerto-Boca Chica Island,also known as "Boca Chica Island" is approximately 6 miles from the town ofBoca Chica.

National Park

Coiba National Parkhas gainedWorld Heritage Sitestatus. Many of the same species found in Coiba National Park can also be found in other areas of this gulf. Whales can be seen in the Gulf of Chiriquí throughout the year and are seen in large number from May to November. This is a season of migration for thehumpback whalefrom the icy waters of the arctic to the warm waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí. Many give birth in the protected waters ofCoiba National Parkbut can be seen by all nearby islands.

Panama's Tommy Guardia National Geographical Institute is charting the first interactive map for whale watching in Latin America to aid in collecting research and contributing to the protection and preservation of the endangered mammal. Gabriel Despaigne said:

When the Green Association of Panama in 2003 began the "Save the whales" campaign, people thought that the mammals were only in cold countries, and now it’s a rare person who doesn’t know that Panama has whales.

Humpback whales are one of over 20 species of marine mammals that can be observed in the area. Thetropical bottlenose whale,finandpilot whalesalong with large pods ofbottle-nosed,commonandspinner dolphinsare common. Examples oftoothed whalessuch as theorcaandsperm whaleare also seasonal visitors.

See also

• Boquerón, Chiriquí
• Islas Secas

External links

• Panama's Coiba National Park Website