reef

Log This Dive

Double Cove Marine Reserve

Isla Frijoles is one of our favourite spots in Coiba, primarily because it delivers on both the small stuff and the big picture. We often do it as a drift, letting the current carry us around the island's rocky base. The reef drops to a sandy bottom around 21 metres, where we've spent many dives scanning for a passing shark, often a white-tip reef shark cruising past. Look closer, though, and you'll find plenty to hold your attention. We’ve spotted everything from the intricate patterns of a masked moray peering from a crevice to the unusual shape of a dusky flounder blending into the sand. We love how the schools of snapper and jack swirl in the blue, sometimes so thick the light dims for a second. Our tip? After you've watched the larger fish, spend some time exploring the corals for scorpionfish or a well-camouflaged frogfish. Visibility averages about 15 metres, which is decent enough to appreciate the scale of the fish groupings. Isla Frijoles is a solid dive for those who enjoy a gentle drift and appreciate both pelagic encounters and finding hidden reef critters.