boca chica — chiriquí gulf
Fishing village at the entrance to Golfo de Chiriquí National Marine Park, a base for islands, seamounts and deep water in Panama's western Pacific.
Boca Chica is a small fishing community in San Lorenzo district, Chiriquí, facing Boca Brava island. It is the gateway to Golfo de Chiriquí National Marine Park and the departure point for the gulf's islands, such as Secas, Bolaños, Gámez and Paridas. Near the islands and rocks, fishing is with poppers, jigs and live bait for roosterfish, Pacific dog snapper, Pacific jack and almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana). Farther out, in open water and over seamounts, trolling targets yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, sailfish and black marlin. Montuosa Island and Hannibal Bank, classic targets for those who leave from here, lie in the Special Marine Protection Zone of Coiba National Park, with its own rules.
best season
Fishing all year. From December to April, in the dry season, the gulf's sea tends to be calmer for long crossings; from July to October there are humpback whales in the gulf.
Local rules: From December 2026 (Executive Decrees 9 and 10 of 2026, from ARAP), billfish, roosterfish and tarpon are catch and release only, and with natural bait circle hooks are mandatory for billfish; sharks and rays may not be retained; limit of 25 fish per boat per day (15 for tourist fishing). In protected areas, such as Golfo de Chiriquí National Marine Park and Coiba National Park (including Montuosa Island and Hannibal Bank), fishing is allowed only where the management plan permits, and the card is not valid in closed zones. Confirm with the operator. Confirm local rules.
- getting there
- From Panama City, about 6 hours via the Interamericana to Horconcitos and another 20 minutes by road to Boca Chica. David airport is about 1 hour away.
- facilities
- Fishing lodges, hotels and restaurants in Boca Chica and on Boca Brava island; more than 25 boteros (boat operators) offer tours and offshore fishing, according to the Tourism Authority.
- country
- Chiriquí, Panama
tip
On the seamounts, Pacific dog snapper runs for the rock as soon as it feels the hook: lock the drag and haul the fish off the bottom in the first few meters.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
what you can catch here
before you fish in Panama
ARAP's new rules (Executive Decree 9, of June 10, 2026) take effect six months after publication, in December 2026. From then on, anyone over 12 years old needs the ARAP sport angler card (carné), issued online (immediately, for foreigners), at the Ventanilla Única or at the regional offices. For foreigners: B/.20 for 7 days, B/.60 for 30 days and B/.150 for 180 days. Customers of an authorized tourist fishing boat are covered by the captain's card, and the boat needs its own license. Until it takes effect, ARAP's previous rule applies (Resolution ADM/ARAP 002/2012): confirm with ARAP or your operator.
- Billfish (blue, white, black and striped marlin, spearfish, sailfish and swordfish): species of exclusive sport fishing interest, catch and release only; with natural bait, circle hooks are mandatory; taking the fish out of the water for photos is prohibited (Executive Decree 10/2026, from December 2026).
- Atlantic cubera snapper, roosterfish and tarpon are also to become catch and release only; the exception is keeping 1 swordfish and 1 tarpon per boat per day, not for sale (Executive Decree 9/2026).
- Sharks and rays: catching or keeping them in sport fishing is prohibited. Retention limit of 25 fish per boat per day (15 in tourist fishing) and selling fish is prohibited (Executive Decree 9/2026).
- In protected areas (such as Coiba National Park), fishing is only allowed where the management plan permits it, and the card or license does not authorize fishing in a closed zone.
The rules and closed seasons in the rest of the app are Brazilian. Outside Brazil, the regulations of the country and province apply: confirm with the official agency.
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.
- official MiAmbiente — En Boca Chica, exitoso Festival de las BallenasFishing community in San Lorenzo district, entrance to Golfo de Chiriquí National Marine Park; more than 25 boteros (ATP data); Boca Brava, Saino, Bolaños, Gámez, Paridas and Secas islands; offshore fishing; access via Horconcitos; whales from July to October
- official ARAP — Decreto Ejecutivo nº 9, de 10 de junio de 2026 (pesca deportiva)Arts. 2 and 24: in protected areas, fishing is allowed only where the management plan permits; art. 18: roosterfish and tarpon catch and release only; art. 19: sharks and rays; art. 21: 25 fish per boat per day (15 for tourist fishing); takes effect in 6 months
- official ARAP — Decreto Ejecutivo nº 10, de 10 de junio de 2026 (peces pico o picudos)Billfish catch and release only; circle hook with natural bait; in force from December 2026
- official Ley 44 de 2004 — crea el Parque Nacional Coiba (Gaceta Oficial 25104)Art. 10: Special Marine Protection Zone with Montuosa Island and Hannibal Bank; Contreras Islands inside the park