Punta Deseo - Coiba National Park
South Bay, just off Klein Bonaire, is a site we return to again and again. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs here, but rather a gentle slope to around 20 metres, making it incredibly relaxed. We love drifting along the reef, often finding loggerhead turtles munching on the sponges. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, like the shy Cherub Pygmy Angelfish darting into crevices, and the surprisingly camouflaged Dusky Blenny peering from its hole. The Lettuce Coral formations here are particularly lush, creating ideal hideouts for juvenile fish. We’ve had some cracking encounters with Caribbean reef squid too, changing colours right before our eyes. The currents are usually mild, making it perfect for a leisurely dive where you can truly take your time to explore. We’d suggest an early morning dive if you can swing it; the light catches the reef beautifully, and you often have the place to yourself before the boat traffic picks up. It's an easy, rewarding dive for anyone looking to unwind and soak in classic Caribbean reef life.
- Location
- Coiba National Park, Panama, Central America
- Coordinates
- 7.705500, -81.634900
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Coiba
Nearby Dive Sites in Coiba National Park
- Bajo Piñon (reef)
- Bajo Piñon (reef)
- Boca del Drago
- Buffet (reef)
- Buffet (cave)
- Corner Point Ladrones - 15-35m (pinnacle)
- Don Juan (pinnacle)
- El Cholo
- El Porton - 15-30m (pinnacle)
- Faro (reef)
- Frijoles (cave)
- Iglesia (reef)
- Isla Frijoles (reef)
- Isla Granito de Oro
- Islas Secas - Robin Island - 5-20m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Punta Deseo
- Ankay Conservation SA - ["PADI"]
- Bocas Dive Center - ["PADI"]
- coiba dream divers
- Oceans Pro Divers Golfito - ["PADI"]
- Scuba Coiba
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
- 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
- Spotted Pufferfish (Canthigaster janthinoptera) - Reef Fish
- King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer) - 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