Isla de Cañas Wildlife Refuge
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla de Cañas
Important olive ridley sea turtle nesting site on the Pacific coast, where visitors can watch turtles come ashore to nest at night with a community guide.
Isla de Cañas is a sandbar island about 60 km southwest of Pedasí. Its beach, roughly 14 km long, is one of Panama's most important nesting sites for olive ridley sea turtles, and occasionally large numbers of turtles come ashore together during the nesting season. You reach the island by small boat from the mainland pier, crossing a mangrove channel. Night turtle-watching is organized by a community cooperative, and a fee for turtle viewing and guiding applies. During viewing, flash photography and white flashlights are prohibited, and you must stay with your guide at all times. Basic accommodation is available on the island, so you can stay overnight.
Opening hours
Night turtle watching; must go with a community guide
Nearby sights
- Playa Venao
- Playa Los Destiladeros
- Pedasí Town Plaza
- Playa El Toro
- Playa El Arenal
- Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge
- Iglesia de Santa Librada, Las Tablas