Iglesia - Coiba National Park

Mahahual Reef often gets overlooked for the cenotes further north, but it’s a quiet champion, especially if you’re staying in the area. We love it for a relaxed morning dive when the sun is hitting just right. Drop down, and the whole place feels like a warm, shallow aquarium. The reef here, maxing out around 18 metres, isn’t about huge pelagics, but the smaller stuff. We’ve had a few dives here where we spent the entire time watching pearl blennies pop in and out of the sand, or picking out the camouflaged sargassum nudibranchs on the algae. Keep an eye out for hawksbill turtles, too, munching away on sponges; they’re pretty reliable here. It’s a gentle current usually, making it perfect for lingering and really soaking in the details. If you’re into macro and just want a chill dive without the crowds, this is our pick.

Location
Coiba National Park, Panama, Central America
Coordinates
7.647300, -81.689800
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Coiba

Nearby Dive Sites in Coiba National Park

Nearest Dive Centres to Iglesia

Marine Life in Coiba National Park

Home to 355 recorded species including 317 reef fish, 13 sharks & rays, 7 whales & dolphins, 6 other, 5 hard corals, 2 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species