LOS SANTOS - Bocas del Toro

Los Santos isn’t your typical Caribbean wreck. It’s a rusted beast, an old cargo ship, sitting in the shallows just off Isla Bastimentos. We love it because it’s so accessible, perfect for a long, slow dive or even a snorkel. The bow breaks the surface, gnarled and barnacle-encrusted, which is what gives it its dangerous wreck classification, but underwater it’s a friendly site. As you drop below, the ship’s structure unfolds, draped in sponges and soft corals. Light shafts pierce the open cargo holds, illuminating schools of tiny glassfish that swirl like liquid silver. Look closely and you’ll spot moray eels tucked into crevices, their heads poking out with that curious, watchful gaze. The stern is our favourite part; it’s collapsed in on itself, creating these fantastic swim-throughs where nurse sharks often snooze. It’s not a deep dive, maybe 10 meters at the most, so you get plenty of bottom time to really poke around and appreciate the way the ocean has reclaimed this vessel. It suits anyone keen on wreck diving without the usual depth and current challenges. Best visited on a calm morning before the boat traffic picks up.

Location
Bocas del Toro, Panama, Central America
Coordinates
8.913333, -79.523056
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

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 LOS SANTOS

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 LOS SANTOS

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