Santa Catalina, Panama has amazing wildlife, plants, trees, ocean views and some very nice villagers.  It has volcanic black sand beaches and excellent surfing conditions. Santa Catalina is the destination for fantastic ocean adventures and remains a peaceful fishing village.  Surfing has been the main attraction for travelers to Santa Catalina for more than 40 years now. The main reason Santa Catalina exists is its access to abundant fish populations.  Fishing and scuba diving are very popular here.

Dozens of islands exist around this area, just a boat ride from Santa Catalina.  Many of these islands offer relatively unexplored white sand beaches with tremendous surf breaks that equal and sometimes outsize the world renowned break at La Punta of Santa Catalina, Panama.                                        

Santa Catalina has very clean tropical beaches, good food and affordable accommodations.   Visitors to Santa Catalina come for outdoor recreation and relaxation. With flocks of wild exotic birds, warm water, perfect waves and pristine beaches, Santa Catalina, Panama offers travelers the option for a quiet getaway or an activity filled experience.  Bring your sunscreen!

The two main beaches in Santa Catalina are Playa Santa Catalina and Playa Estero.  They are black sand beaches that offer gentle waves with large tide changes throughout the day.  While Playa Santa Catalina is the busier of the Santa Catalina two, Playa Estero is a huge, clean beach with a very consistent smaller break for bodysurfers, boogie-boarders, beginning surfers and longboarders.

The beach 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 super CLEAN.

Playa Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is the main village beach 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 refer to this area as Main Street. Most of the 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 is located just minutes east of Main Street across the small river, Rio Estero, at the end of the dirt road which starts at the intersection in town by the phone booth and the Vasquez store.  Playa Estero has less activity throughout the day and is often totally deserted.  The beach here has smooth consistent sets of waves rolling 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 very easily.

SCUBA

SURFING

ACTIVITIES