You will discover some of the best and most diverse waters in all of Central America here, where dozens of different types of corals, sponges and reef fish can be found. The islands in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago offer Caribbean aqua blue water and beaches dotted with palms set against lush, green jungle.
Bocas Water Sports is the first PADI Gold Palm Resort in Panama, recognized for providing superior service and memorable dive experiences. The center practices environmental awareness and teaches and shows respect for the underwater world and all its creatures.
Dive Sites in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago of Panama
Over 15 dive sites are visited on a regular basis, but the crew is constantly searching for new and interesting dive sites. Their captains and divemasters take pride in taking guests to the best dive sites in Bocas del Toro, depending upon divers’ wishes and weather conditions.
Here are just some of the sites that make diving in Bocas a wonderful experience:
Hospital Point
Located just off the northwest corner of Isla Solarte, Hospital Point offers a dramatic backdrop to your dives. Topside, this is one of the most beautiful spots in the archipelago, but underwater is where the true beauty of Hospital Point can be observed. Enter the water in a shallow seagrass bed and swim a short distance to a vertical mini-wall, encrusted with lettuce corals and teeming with tropical reef fish and a large assortment of both hard and soft corals, vase sponges, and encrusting sponges. One dramatic feature of this site is an enormous rock outcropping which extends out over the reef, providing shelter for schools of silversides.
The Playground
One of the closest sites to Bocas Town, The Playground starts with a shallow, sandy area that is covered with pillow starfish, conch, sea cucumber, and other invertebrates. As you approach the reef area, surgeonfish, parrotfish, damselfish and other colorful reef fish begin to proliferate. The reef here is extremely healthy and the reef structure provides a home for moray eels, spiny lobster, and channel clinging crabs. This area is also home to some of the biggest Barrel sponges in Bocas. Another feature of this site is an underwater cable that provides electricity to one of the neighboring islands. Following this cable can provide an interesting lesson in the different types of ecosystems found in the waters of Bocas del Toro.
Punta Manglar (Mangrove Point)/The Wreck
This is a beautiful reef system, starting in approximately 12 feet of water and descending to approximately 60 feet; this area provides a vast array of hard and soft corals, sponges, and schooling reef fish. The shallower part of this reef system is alive with vibrant colors, while in the deeper areas it is not unusual to find large grouper and snapper stalking their prey. Close to this reef system is another of our dive sites. Called simply “The Wreck,” this site is the best wreck dive in Bocas. This ship was a car ferry that was sunk intentionally in 1999 as an artificial reef. She sits in approximately 35 feet of sea water and her decks come within 20 feet of the surface. Being submerged for many years, the wreck is totally encrusted with file clams, corals, and sponges and provides a home to a multitude of feather duster worms, spaghetti worms, and arrow crabs.
Photos of the Dives in Bocas del Toro:
Reserve this tour: info@panamatravelgroup.com
+507-399-9830 (Panama) | 1-786-539-4731 (USA)
