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Landmark· Escudo de Veraguas· Other Caribbean

Isla Escudo de Veraguas (Paisaje Protegido)

9° 5.9′ N · 81° 33.5′ W

A remote 4 km² reef-ringed island 17 km off the Mosquito Coast, with eroding cliffs, aqua water and wildlife found nowhere else — including the critically endangered pygmy three-toed sloth.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Island position 09°05'51"N, 081°33'29"W (Wikipedia) — the island centre, not an anchorage; take an anchoring spot from the Bauhaus guide and enter around the reef in good light. Savarona (2017) arrived at dusk with just enough light to get in around the reef, found clear water with the bottom visible, a small landing beach, big rays while snorkeling, no trails, and only one other boat. Protected landscape; endemic pygmy sloth, a Thomas's fruit-eating bat subspecies and worm salamander, 55 coral types; about 120 Ngäbe fishermen and families lived there in 2012 (Wikipedia). About 500 green and hawksbill turtle nests a year (Visit Panama). Best visited in the calm September–October window (Tourism Panama). IMPORTANT: Noonsite's Bocas page (2025) states 'Isla Veraguas ... is now closed — see Panama Restrictions'; confirm access with MiAmbiente/AMP before planning a stop.

Best for

Remote wildlife island on the Colón–Bocas passage

Season

Sept–Oct calmest; check access status

Nearby