Santa Catalina, is great spot for ocean adventures.  Surfing has been the main attraction for travelers to Santa Catalina for more than 40 years now. The main reason Santa Catalina exists is because of its’ access to massive fish populations.  Fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular here because of this.

The volcanic formations that create the amazing surf break at Playa Santa Catalina, create excellent diving and fishing spots all around Santa Catalina, Panama.  A boat ride from Santa Catalina provides the diving and angling crowd with huge populations of fish and beautiful underwater coral reefs. The sharks get so much food naturally they haven’t attacked a person here in over 20 years.

Many islands can be found around this area.  Many of these islands offer rarely unexplored white sand beaches with surf breaks that equal and sometimes outsize the world renowned break at La Punta. There are literally hundreds of dive spots in and around the area. Some of the local guides can get you to their secret spots and share paradise with you.

Visitors to Santa Catalina come for many reasons including outdoor recreation and relaxation. We have many flocks of wild exotic birds, warm water, pounding surf and pristine beaches.  Santa Catalina, Panama offers people the option for a quiet vacation or an adventure filled experience.  Bring your sunscreen!
The two primary beaches in Santa Catalina are Playa Santa Catalina and Rancho Estero.  Both of these are black sand beaches and offer gentle waves with large tide changes throughout the day.  While Playa Santa Catalina is the busier of the two, Playa Estero is a long, clean beach with a very consistent smaller break for bodysurfers, boogie-boarders, beginning surfers and longboarders. Either way you win!

The ocean and beachfront waters around Santa Catalina are routinely tested are have been awarded the Bandera Azul Ecologica or Ecologic Blue Banner award for their purity. This means the water is CLEAN.

Playa Santa Catalina
Playa Santa Catalinais the main beach in Santa Catalina, located at the end of the main road that comes in from Sona.  This is the center of activity for the fishing village of Santa Catalina. We call this area “Main Street”. Many scuba diving trips and fishing boats leave from Playa Santa Catalina.  In front of the beach is a view of Isla Santa Catalina and the famous La Punta surf break.

Playa Estero
Playa Estero 5 minutes East of Main Street across the Estero River/Rio Estero at the end of the dirt road. The road starts at the intersection in town by the phone booth and the mini super store.  Playa Estero has less turistas throughout the day and is often totally empty.  The beach here has consistent sets of smaller waves coming in for body surfing or beginners to learn to surf.  Except during very heavy rains, the river is only ankle deep and can be crossed with ease.

SCUBA

SURFING

ACTIVITIES