Dive· Portobelo· Other Caribbean

Drake's Island Dive Site (Isla de Draque, Portobelo)

9° 33.7′ N · 79° 41.1′ W

The best-known dive in Portobelo: the reefs of the little island at the mouth of the harbour, named for Sir Francis Drake, who was buried at sea in a lead coffin off Portobelo in 1596. Colourful sponges and big gorgonians, and the legend that the remains of Drake's ship lie nearby in about 70 ft keeps divers looking.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Position is the OpenStreetMap outline of Drake's Island (Isla de Draque, way 12426034); dive boats pick the mooring or drop on the day. Panama's tourism board describes it as the most famous site, a few minutes by boat from town, and repeats the legend of Drake's sunken ship at about 21.3 m (70 ft); treat the wreck as legend, not a charted find. A 2011 diver called it one of the few sheltered sites usable in rough months (with Buenaventura and an old airplane wreck), 25 to 60 ft deep, with colourful corals and large gorgonians but fewer fish than in earlier years (overfishing, silt, lionfish). Visibility roughly 10 to 50 ft, averaging 20 to 30 ft, and worst after rain or when the Dec–Feb trades churn the sea (ScubaBoard 2011). Water about 80°F (27°C). This is outside Guna Yala, so scuba is legal here: the closest place to dive with tanks before or after the San Blas. Book through a Portobelo dive centre (see Portobelo Dive Centres entry) rather than diving it from your own boat; the island sits on the harbour approach, so keep a lookout for tour launches. Tours quoted at US$110 to 280 by the tourism board (verify locally).

Best for

Scuba from Portobelo before or after the tank-free San Blas

Season

Year-round; best Aug–Sep, poorest visibility Dec–Feb and after heavy rain

Nearby