WITWATER (STERN PART) - Bocas del Toro
The Witwater’s stern, sitting in just four metres of water, is a proper time capsule. We love how accessible it is, a perfect second dive or even a snorkel if you’re not geared up. This old tanker, split in two back in ‘68, has settled into a vibrant artificial reef. You’ll weave through massive propeller blades, the rudder, and skeletal remains of the engine room. Sunlight dapples through the structure, illuminating schools of snapper and grunt that dart between the corroded metal. Keep an eye out for the big green morays, they’ve made the Witwater their permanent address. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially on a sunny morning when the light is just right and the visibility is at its best. Definitely one of our favourite shallow wrecks in Bocas.
- Location
- Bocas del Toro, Panama, Central America
- Coordinates
- 9.421667, -79.810555
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 4m
Marine Protected Area: Portobelo
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)
- LISA S. - 59m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to WITWATER (STERN PART)
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 WITWATER (STERN PART)
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