cave

Log This Dive

Frijoles

Frijoles is a site we always try to hit when we're in Coiba, though it’s definitely not the deepest dive. Maximum depth is around 21m, but the real show is often shallower. We usually drop down the line to about 10m, then decide – stay put in the coral shallows or follow the sand channel down to where the larger boulders start to stack up. Those boulders are what make it special. They create these fantastic overhangs and little caves, perfect for poking around with a torch. We often find pacific red snappers hunkered down, and sometimes a grumpy-looking pacific spotted scorpionfish trying its best to blend in. Lanternfish are pretty common, too. The visibility averages 12m, so you're not getting those wide-open vistas, but that's part of the charm here; it feels more intimate. Keep an eye out for a longtail stingray cruising the sand patches; they're quite graceful. It’s a site for divers who enjoy taking their time and getting close to the reef’s residents, rather than just zooming past.