Permit· Guna Yala (comarca-wide)· Other Caribbean

No Scuba Diving in Guna Yala (Snorkel & Freedive Only)

9° 34.2′ N · 78° 49.2′ W · approximate

The Guna sailas have banned scuba diving throughout Guna Yala to protect the reefs and stop professional spearfishing: visitors may snorkel and free-dive but must not use tanks anywhere in the comarca.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Coordinate approximate: Wikipedia's centre point for the San Blas Islands; the rule applies across the whole comarca. Toucan Discovery states scuba is strictly prohibited and that the ban, together with bans on industrial fishing and shellfish trading, was decided by the Sailas themselves; Gone with the Wynns (Oct–Nov 2017 trip) also read that the Guna do not allow scuba and stuck to snorkelling, noting most reefs are shallow enough to free-dive. Keep tanks and compressors stowed. Hookah or tank-assisted fishing or lobstering is a serious offence. For scuba, go to Portobelo or Isla Grande outside the comarca (see the Drake's Island, Salmedina, Isla Buenaventura and Portobelo Dive Centres entries). Collecting shells or coral is also prohibited by community law (Toucan Discovery).

Best for

Every crew carrying dive gear into Guna Yala

Nearby