Coiba Island is one of those places that most only read about in an adventure novel. Until the year 1993, Coiba Island was a maximum security prison. One of the most feared, it was known to be the worst of the worst as far as prisons, second only to Alcatraz. The remote location made it a perfect choice for a prison as nothing but ocean lay around the island and only one ferry serviced the area. In 1993 the prison was closed and the entire island was setup as a National Park and protected land. The island has yet to gain any kind of real tourist attention but the researchers love the area.

Water Sports
Since the island is not a tourist destination there is only two main water sports, fishing and scuba diving. Both of these practices were banned during the prison period and fishermen have longed to get near the island for the huge Wahoo and Dorado fish that reside on the reefs. Scuba diving has always been popular with the researchers of the world for Coiba but they were limited to the times when they could partake for fear that the prisoners would escape and take one of them hostage.

Island Diversity
There is no native culture on the island and there is also no full time residents besides the park ranger.

Activities
Bird watching has become popular on Coiba because of the one hundred and forty-seven species that currently reside here, some of which are found only on the Coiba island period. Others come to enjoy the flora and fauna. The only housing is on a nearby island as the Coiba island is protected against building and structures besides the ranger house and office.