Punta Gorda

Best months: Oct–Dec

Protected Area

Coiba

Why dive here

With 351+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and giant moray eels - Punta Gorda offers some of Coiba National Park's richest diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest March, April, May.

Best timeOct–Dec

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Giant Moray Eels · 351+ species recorded

Water28-30°C · warmest March, April, May

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Punta Gorda always feels like a bit of a gamble, but when it pays off, it really pays off. We’re talking about serious baitball action here. We've dropped in to find schools of anchovies and thread herring so dense they blot out the sun, a swirling, silver mass that makes you feel tiny and completely insignificant. And where there’s bait, there are predators. We've seen Pacific crevalle jack tear through those schools, alongside kawakawa and pompano, all putting on a frantic, high-speed hunt. It’s not always a guaranteed show, sometimes the bait is elsewhere, but even then, the resident sea bass and damselfish are interesting enough. Our favourite moments here are when the Bentfin Devil Rays cruise by, slow and majestic, a real contrast to the feeding frenzy above. This site really suits divers who appreciate raw, natural action and aren't afraid of a bit of a lottery dive. When the conditions line up, Punta Gorda offers a dynamic, visceral experience unlike many other spots in Coiba.