Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge

A small island about 8 km off the coast near Pedasí that protects one of the best coral reefs on Panama's Pacific side. The waters around the island are clear, the reef is healthy, and the snorkelling is straightforward — you don't need to dive to see the fish populations. The island is a protected wildlife area managed by ANAM, Panama's environmental authority.

The island itself has a large colony of magnificent frigatebirds — the males inflate spectacular red throat pouches during breeding season (December to May). Sea turtles nest on the beaches from June through November, and the whale watching from the surrounding waters is excellent from August to October when humpback whales visit with their calves. Day trips from Pedasí take around 20–25 minutes by boat.

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