What are the dive sites like in Bocas Del Toro? Explore the underwater world with us…

When it comes to diving destinations, Bocas Del Toro in Panama is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by many underwater enthusiasts. With its tropical waters, diverse marine life, and a variety of dive sites, there’s something for every diver - whether you’re a beginner or a professional diver.

The archipelago provides a protected bay area which allows you to dive comfortably all year around, with most dive sites just a short 5-10 minute boat ride away, with an average depth of 10-12m. When sea conditions permit (usually in September & October), it's possible to take trips further afield to Tiger Rock, Dolphin Rock and the caves at Bastimento. 

From exploring vibrant coral reefs to delving into shipwrecks, from admiring towering pinnacles to venturing into mysterious caverns, this tropical paradise has it all. Let's dive in…

Coral Reefs:

Bocas Del Toro boasts some of the most vibrant and stunning coral reefs in the world. The warm, nutrient-rich waters provide the perfect conditions for an abundance of coral species and sponges to thrive creating a kaleidoscope of colours, including brain corals, fire corals, sea fans, rope sponges and giant tube sponges. Dive sites include Casa Blanca, Pandora, Grandma’s Garden, Mangrove Point and Sashe. These reefs are not only visually spectacular but also serve as a haven for a diverse range of marine life including spotted drumfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, scrawled filefish, southern stingrays, nurse sharks, flamingo tongue, sea horses, and even the occasional graceful sea turtle.

Wrecks:

Bocas Del Toro offers the opportunity to explore fascinating artificial shipwrecks, intentionally placed on the seabed to create a reef. Barco Hundido is a sunken ferryboat that's been underwater since 1997. Mystic Wind at Buoyline is a trimaran sunk in 2015 that you can swim underneath, or there’s the Godewind sailboat at 18m with it’s half-fallen sail. Many schools of fish have made these wrecks their home like jackfish, grunts and snappers, which attracts the odd nurse shark if you're lucky enough to spot one! You can even explore the Mayday plane wreck and shipwreck at our very own dive site, just off the jetty at Bocas Dive Center. 

Walls:

Wall diving, where the ocean floor drops away into a sheer underwater cliff is an exhilarating experience for divers. As you glide along the wall's edge, with a sense of weightlessness, you'll have a front-row seat to the ricks teeming with marine life. Hospital Point and Manuel’s Wall are covered in vibrant corals where you might find tiny seahorses hiding in crevices,  and nudibranchs clinging to the vertical surface. 

Pinnacles

Pinnacles are underwater rock formations that rise dramatically from the seabed, creating a habitat for various marine species. Bocas Del Toro is home to some impressive pinnacle dive sites, including Dolphin Rock and Tiger Rock, usually only accessible during September and October when the water is flat. These underwater towers are covered in colorful corals and sponges, making them a magnet for marine life. As you circle the pinnacle, you might spot bigger marine life like green morays, huge crabs, midnight parrotfish and the occasional eagle ray gliding gracefully through the water. 

Caverns:

Bocas Del Toro has hidden treasures in the form of underwater caverns and caves on Isla Bastimento at Polo Channels and Machete Caves. You can explore these unique and awe-inspiring underwater cave systems, with swim-throughs where you’ll be surrounded by the eerie beauty of stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. Inside, beams of sunlight filter through openings in the cave ceiling, creating a unique atmosphere. Diving through these underground chambers is an unforgettable experience that takes diving to a whole new level.

Bocas Del Toro in Panama offers a diverse range of diving experiences that cater to divers of all levels. So, grab your gear and get ready to embark on an unforgettable dive journey in this Caribbean paradise.

Before you start your diving adventure in Bocas Del Toro, it's essential to ensure your safety. Bocas Dive Center has experienced Divemasters and Instructors who will put your safety as top priority. Our rental equipment and boats are well maintained, and we have highly experienced boat captains.

Take advantage of our seasonal dives with trips running to Dolphin Rock, Tiger Rock, Machete Caves and Polo Channels happening in September and October. Email info@bocasdivecenter.com for more information and to book.