Surfing has for decades been the main draw for visitors to Santa Catalina; but there is much more to do in Santa Catalina than just surfing. The village is also the closest access point to Isla Coiba which is literally a tropical paradise, offering a plethora of wildlife to spot, jungle to explore, and sea life to dive or snorkel with. Coiba Island, once a prison camp operated by the Panamanian government, is now a national park and a natural sanctuary protected by UNESCO. The park covers an area of 270,125 hectares (667,493 acres), of which more than 80% is sea. The park also contains the largest coral reef in the tropical Eastern Pacific. Just a short distance off the park’s west coast, at Hannibal Bank and Jicaron, the sea drops down much deeper to several thousand meters.

Surf lessons and board rental are available as well.