Dive· Cayos Zapatilla· Other Caribbean
Zapatilla Reefs (dive & snorkel, Bastimentos Marine Park)
9° 15.6′ N · 82° 2.9′ W · approximate
The healthiest coral in Bocas rings the two uninhabited Zapatilla cays inside Bastimentos National Marine Park, with turtles, rays and clear water on calm days.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate, set on the reef between Cayo Zapatilla No. 1 (9.26546, -82.05514) and No. 2 (9.25406, -82.03739) (OSM). Both cays are surrounded by coral reef (Spanish Wikipedia). The park protects nearly 80 coral species (Wikipedia), and SAIL describes diving over 'healthy vibrant coral'. Park fees and rules apply (see the Bastimentos National Marine Park entry). Take nothing and don't anchor on coral, so use the anchorage on sand (see Cayos Zapatilla Anchorage). Exposed to the open Caribbean, so go in calm weather, ideally September–October (Tourism Panama on seasonal sites).
Best for
The best reef in the archipelago
Season
Calm-weather days; best Sep–Oct
Nearby
- Cayos Zapatilla Anchorage (Bastimentos Marine Park)0.2 NM away
- Zapatilla Shallows Snorkel (Cayo Zapatilla No. 1)0.5 NM away
- Cayos Zapatilla (Bastimentos National Marine Park)0.7 NM away
- Las Bromelias Trail (Zapatilla 2)0.7 NM away
- Salt Creek (Quebrada Sal) Landing & Anchorage3.7 NM away
- Coral Cay Snorkel Gardens5.4 NM away
- Crawl Cay (Cayo Coral) Over-Water Restaurants5.4 NM away
- Cayo Coral Reef Dive (Crawl Cay)5.5 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).