Dive· Isla Solarte· Other Caribbean
Hospital Point Wall Dive (Punta Hospital, Isla Solarte)
9° 20.0′ N · 82° 13.2′ W · approximate
Bocas' signature wall dive, where coral drops from the shallows to about 19 m, riddled with caverns and holes that come alive with lobster, crabs, rays and sharks on a night dive.
Practical
Position approximate — set in the water off the west side of Solarte's north-west tip (checked against the OpenStreetMap Isla Solarte outline). Coordinate is approximate, just off Solarte's west point near the old United Fruit hospital hill (Wikipedia). Tourism Panama places the site at Solarte's northern tip, maximum depth 50 ft (14 m), basic level, with a coral wall from 39 to 49 ft (12–19 m) and caverns and holes. It suits both snorkelers on the top and experienced divers. At night expect lobsters, crabs, rays and sharks. It is right beside the Bocas–Bastimentos water-taxi lane, so always fly a dive flag and keep a lookout in the tender. The shoreline trail is private (see the Hospital Point snorkel entry).
Best for
Wall and night diving close to town
Season
Year-round; calmest Sep–Oct
Nearby
- Hospital Point (Punta Hospital, Isla Solarte)0.1 NM away
- Punta Hospital Beach Shallows (Solarte jungle trail)0.1 NM away
- The Playground (dive site)0.3 NM away
- Buoy Line & Pandora Wreck (dive sites)0.4 NM away
- Inner Bay Dive Sites (Pandora, Bouyline, Sachen, Old Wreck, Playground, Airport Point)0.6 NM away
- Bibi's on the Beach (Isla Carenero)0.7 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