Snorkel· Isla Solarte· Other Caribbean
Hospital Point (Punta Hospital, Isla Solarte)
9° 20.1′ N · 82° 13.2′ W · approximate
A coral wall dropping off the tip of Isla Solarte, below the site of the United Fruit Company's 1899 hospital — one of Bocas' most popular snorkel and dive sites, usually without current.
Practical
Position approximate — set in the water just off Solarte's north-west tip (checked against the OpenStreetMap Isla Solarte outline; the earlier position fell on land), near the GeoNames Solarte settlement (9.33062, -82.22031); the hospital stood on the hill at the island's west end (Wikipedia). Coral wall from about 12 m down to roughly 19 m with caverns and holes; good for night dives (Tourism Panama). Usually no current; suitable for beginners; reef sharks possible on the wall (Visit Panama). The shore trail to Punta Hospital is private and charges an entry fee that includes snorkel gear and towel (Tourism Panama). Close to the Bocas–Bastimentos boat traffic — fly a dive flag.
Best for
Wall snorkeling and beginner dives near town
Nearby
- Hospital Point Wall Dive (Punta Hospital, Isla Solarte)0.1 NM away
- Punta Hospital Beach Shallows (Solarte jungle trail)0.2 NM away
- The Playground (dive site)0.3 NM away
- Buoy Line & Pandora Wreck (dive sites)0.5 NM away
- Inner Bay Dive Sites (Pandora, Bouyline, Sachen, Old Wreck, Playground, Airport Point)0.7 NM away
- Bibi's on the Beach (Isla Carenero)0.8 NM away
- Carenero Beach Bars (Bibi's, Aqua Lounge & Receta Michela)0.8 NM away
- Coquitos Beach Bar & Restaurant (Isla Carenero)0.8 NM away