LISA S. - Bocas del Toro
The LISA S., a fishing vessel that went down in '89, is one of our top picks in Bocas. It’s a deep dive, down to 59 meters, so this isn't for the casual observer. We’re talking technical diving territory here, but if you’ve got the training, it’s absolutely worth the effort. The wreck itself sits upright and mostly intact, offering a real sense of its former life. You can imagine the crew working the decks, hauling in nets, before those heavy seas claimed her. Now, the hull is thick with sponges and hard corals, a real transformation. We’ve seen big schools of jacks swirling around the mast, and often catch a glimpse of nurse sharks tucked away in the darker recesses. Exploring the wheelhouse, even from the outside, gives you a proper chill. It’s a quiet, reflective dive, perfect for those who appreciate the history as much as the biology. Go in the morning; the light penetration at that depth really makes the colours pop.
- Location
- Bocas del Toro, Panama, Central America
- Coordinates
- 8.666667, -79.166664
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 59m
Marine Protected Area: Humedal de Bahía de Panamá
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
- Airplane Wreck (wreck)
- Buenaventura
- Coral Reef Labyrinth (reef)
- DONAU - 50m (wreck)
- ECUADOR - 4m (wreck)
- Enchanted Forrest
- FREELANCE - 5m (wreck)
- IDA P - 9m (wreck)
- Isla Iguana - 5-18m (reef)
- Isla Perro
- Islote La MIel
- Jose Pobre Caverns (reef)
- La Miel - 8-25m (reef)
- LAUTARO - 8m (wreck)
- LOS SANTOS - 0m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to LISA S.
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
- Agujon Needlefish (Tylosurus acus) - Reef Fish
- Caesar (Haemulon aurolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Ring-tailed Surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus) - Reef Fish
- Orangeside Triggerfish (Sufflamen verres) - Reef Fish
- Cortez Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) - Reef Fish
- King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Pufferfish (Canthigaster janthinoptera) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Puffer (Arothron meleagris) - Reef Fish
- Bicolor Parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) - Reef Fish
- Opaline Lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum) - Reef Fish
- Pufferfish (Arothron hispidus) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
- Butterfish (Eucinostomus melanopterus) - Reef Fish
- Beaubrummel (Stegastes flavilatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Trim Parrotfish (Scarus ghobban) - Reef Fish
- Cortez damselfish (Stegastes rectifraenum) - Reef Fish
- Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) - Reef Fish
- Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) - Reef Fish
- Coral Hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus) - Reef Fish
- Amarillo snapper (Lutjanus argentiventris) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for LISA S.
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