LAUTARO - Bocas del Toro

Lautaro is not just a dive site; it’s a history lesson submerged. The old banana boat, scuttled way back in 1928, sits upright in just 8 metres of water, almost shallow enough to touch from the surface. We love this site for its incredible accessibility and the sheer volume of history you can practically swim through. The wreck itself is surprisingly intact. You can fin right over the deck, peer into the holds where bananas once travelled, and trace the outline of its bygone journeys. What really sells Lautaro for us, though, is how the reef has completely reclaimed it. The metal structure is caked in coral, creating a maze of nooks and crannies for all sorts of residents. We’ve seen moray eels peeking from pipes, schools of snapper circling the mast, and plenty of colourful parrotfish grazing on the encrusted hull. It’s an easy dive, perfect for newer divers or those who just want a relaxed exploration without worrying about depth or currents. The shallow depth also means fantastic natural light, making the colours really pop. We’d suggest going in the morning; the visibility tends to be best then, before afternoon winds stir things up.

Location
Bocas del Toro, Panama, Central America
Coordinates
8.925000, -79.521940
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Marine Protected Area: Manglares de Panamá Viejo

Best Time to Dive in Bocas del Toro

The warmest water temperatures in Bocas del Toro occur in December, averaging 29.4°C. The coolest conditions are in November at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.3°C
  • February: 29.1°C
  • March: 28.9°C
  • April: 29.1°C
  • May: 29.1°C
  • June: 29.0°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 29.2°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 28.7°C
  • November: 28.3°C
  • December: 29.4°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Bocas del Toro

Nearest Dive Centres to LAUTARO

Marine Life in Bocas del Toro

Home to 175 recorded species including 166 reef fish, 4 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 2 other, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for LAUTARO

Based on average water temperature of 29.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories