Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsBeach· Isla Bastimentos· Other Caribbean
Wizard Beach (Playa Primera, Isla Bastimentos)
9° 21.3′ N · 82° 12.0′ W
A long, wild jungle-backed beach on Bastimentos' north shore, 20 minutes' walk over the hill from Old Bank — empty, beautiful and dangerous to swim.
Practical
Position 9.354636, -82.200697 (Wikivoyage). Dinghy to the main Old Bank dock, then hike about 1.2 km / 20 minutes across the island; the trail is a muddy mess in the rainy season (melonthego). No services, no lifeguard; strong (reportedly deadly) undertow — experienced swimmers only (Wikivoyage). Popular with surfers; waves year-round (Tourism Panama). Wikivoyage reports robberies on the Old Bank–Wizard path since 2006 — go in a group and leave valuables aboard. Look for crested oropendola nests where the trail leaves the jungle.
Best for
Beach hike from Old Bank
Nearby
- Up in the Hill Farm (Old Bank)0.5 NM away
- Coco Hill (Old Bank, vegetarian)0.6 NM away
- Old Bank Minisupers (Bastimentos Town)0.6 NM away
- Bioluminescence Nights (Bocas)0.7 NM away
- Old Bank (Bastimentos Town)0.7 NM away
- Old Bank Waterfront Restaurants (Roots, Alvin's & Firefly)0.7 NM away
- Red Frog–Old Bank–Polo Beach Trails0.7 NM away
- Silverbacks (Bastimentos big-wave reef)0.9 NM away