Can You Fly directly to Coiba Island? Airstrip Status and How to Get There

Coiba Island is one of Panama’s most protected natural destinations and part of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is famous for its coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and remote rainforest environment.

A common question from travelers and pilots is whether it is possible to fly directly to Coiba Island. While Coiba does have a runway, it is not currently available for normal tourist or private aviation use. This article explains the current status of the Coiba airstrip and outlines the official and practical ways to reach the island.

Current Status of the Coiba Island Airstrip

Coiba Island contains a historic airstrip that was originally constructed when the island served as a penal colony. Today, however, the runway is not maintained for routine aviation operations.

Key points:

• The Coiba airstrip is not open to scheduled or commercial tourist flights.

• It is not maintained to current civil aviation standards for general aviation use.

• Any aircraft operations would require special authorization from Panamanian aviation authorities and the administration of Coiba National Park.

• Environmental protections related to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site make reactivation or development of the runway highly restricted.

  
  

In practical terms, the Coiba airstrip should be considered closed to normal civilian aviation traffic.

Limited use may occur only for:

• Government or emergency operations

• Scientific and conservation research

• Special authorized missions

These exceptions are not available to tourists or private pilots without permits.

How to Reach Coiba Island

Because the Coiba airstrip is not operational for visitors, access to the island is limited to boat from the mainland. The most practical launching point is from the town of Santa Catalina in the province of Veraguas.

1. Fly to a Mainland Airstrip Near Santa Catalina

The fastest way to approach Coiba by air is to fly from Panama City to an airstrip near Santa Catalina, the primary departure point for boat transfers to the island.

Common access point:

• Lago Bay Airstrip (near Santa Catalina)

• Approximate flight time: 45–60 minutes from Panama City

Flights are typically private charter services and not scheduled commercial routes.

2. Ground Transfer to Santa Catalina

After landing at the mainland airstrip, travelers make a short road transfer (about 10–15 minutes) to Santa Catalina.

Santa Catalina functions as the main tourism hub for:

• Coiba National Park tours

• Diving and snorkeling operations

• Licensed boat departures

3. Boat Transfer to Coiba Island

All authorized access to Coiba Island is by boat from Santa Catalina:

• Travel time: 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on sea conditions

• Transport is provided by licensed tour and dive operators

• Park permits are required and are typically included with tour bookings

There is no public ferry service to Coiba Island.

Important Information for Pilots

Pilots planning operations in the region should note:

• The Coiba Island runway is not listed as an active civilian destination.

• Prior permission from both aviation authorities and national park management would be required for any landing attempt.

• Environmental and legal restrictions make routine operations highly unlikely.

• Mainland airstrips near Santa Catalina, such as Lago Bay, serve as the practical aviation gateway for Coiba travel.

Pilots should plan routes accordingly and treat Coiba Island as a boat-access-only destination.

Why Access Is Restricted

Coiba National Park is one of the most important marine and terrestrial conservation zones in Central America. Limiting aircraft traffic helps:

• Protect sensitive ecosystems

• Reduce noise and environmental impact

• Maintain controlled tourism volumes

• Preserve UNESCO World Heritage status

For this reason, transportation policy prioritizes boat access rather than air access to the island itself.

Conclusion for Airstrip Status and How to get to Coiba

As of 2026, the airstrip on Coiba Island remains inactive for commercial use. For tourism, Santa Catalina is the clear gateway for Coiba National Park. The primary air access is through the Lago Bay Airstrip. Travelers have a 45+ minute flight from Albrook, a short ground transfer to Santa Catalina, then an hour+ boat trip to Coiba National Park.